Do you know what a catheter is? Do you understand the importance of catheters in medicine? More often than not, people have heard of catheters and know that they have to do with medicine, however they may not understand the many different uses of catheters. A catheter is a tube that can be inserted into the body for drainage purposes. Catheterization is process of inserting a catheter into the body.
Disposable catheters were invented in the 1940s by David S. Sheridan. Before Sheridan's disposable catheters existed, red rubber tubes were used and then re-used. This often led to the spread of infection and disease between patients. Sheridan's disposable catheters have been credited with saving thousands of lives.
Disposable catheters are made from a wide range of polymers, including silicone rubber, latex, and thermoplastic elastomers. The most common material used in catheter construction is silicone rubber. Silicone rubber is inert and unreactive to body fluids as well as a many medical fluids with which catheters come into contact.
There are four types of catheters: indwelling, permcath, hard and soft. Indwelling catheters are catheters placed inside the body, temporarily or permanently. A permcath is a permanently inserted catheter. There are times when catheters that are larger and solid are needed. These types of catheters are called hard catheters. The most often used catheter is a soft catheter is used. Soft catheters are thin, flexible tubes.
Medical health providers use catheters for many different drainage uses, such as:
- Drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous
- Drainage of fluid collections in cases of abdominal abscesses
- Direct measurement of blood pressure in an artery or vein
- Direct measurement of intracranial pressure
- Administration of oxygen, volatile anesthetic agents, and other breathing gases into the lungs using a tracheal tube
- Direct measurement of intracranial pressure
- Administration of insulin or other medications, with the use of an infusion set and insulin pump
- Draining urine from the urinary bladder as in urinary catheterization
The most commonly known catheter is known as the "Foley catheter" used for urinary drainage. Proper care of a Foley catheter is imperative. If the catheter is left in place for long periods of time, it can lead to urinary tract infections, narrowing of the urethra, bladder stones or urethral abscesses.
Disposable catheters were invented in the 1940s by David S. Sheridan. Before Sheridan's disposable catheters existed, red rubber tubes were used and then re-used. This often led to the spread of infection and disease between patients. Sheridan's disposable catheters have been credited with saving thousands of lives.
Disposable catheters are made from a wide range of polymers, including silicone rubber, latex, and thermoplastic elastomers. The most common material used in catheter construction is silicone rubber. Silicone rubber is inert and unreactive to body fluids as well as a many medical fluids with which catheters come into contact.
There are four types of catheters: indwelling, permcath, hard and soft. Indwelling catheters are catheters placed inside the body, temporarily or permanently. A permcath is a permanently inserted catheter. There are times when catheters that are larger and solid are needed. These types of catheters are called hard catheters. The most often used catheter is a soft catheter is used. Soft catheters are thin, flexible tubes.
Medical health providers use catheters for many different drainage uses, such as:
- Drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous
- Drainage of fluid collections in cases of abdominal abscesses
- Direct measurement of blood pressure in an artery or vein
- Direct measurement of intracranial pressure
- Administration of oxygen, volatile anesthetic agents, and other breathing gases into the lungs using a tracheal tube
- Direct measurement of intracranial pressure
- Administration of insulin or other medications, with the use of an infusion set and insulin pump
- Draining urine from the urinary bladder as in urinary catheterization
The most commonly known catheter is known as the "Foley catheter" used for urinary drainage. Proper care of a Foley catheter is imperative. If the catheter is left in place for long periods of time, it can lead to urinary tract infections, narrowing of the urethra, bladder stones or urethral abscesses.
About the Author:
Interface Catheter Solutions' website has more information on catheter manufacturers and catheter solutions. We invite you to learn more.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire