At Home Medical Blogs

Not all intermittent catheters are equal when it comes to the eyelets. The eyelet of an intermittent catheter is where the body fluid exits the catheter. The larger the French size of a catheter, the larger the eyelet. (french size is the diameter of the catheter) The eyelet of a catheter is cut out during the manufacturing process, thus the edges can be rough or abrasive.

Some manufacturers will pass the catheter through a process called "Fire Polishing" which will smooth the edges of the eyelets. This is an additional and costly step in the manufacturing process, but one that significantly improves the performance of the catheter for the individual using one.

Fire Polishing is more difficult the smaller the french size of the catheter. The smallest french size is 6 Fr., 8 Fr., and 10 Fr. These french sizes are mostly used for pediatric and youth catheters, however some adults may only require this size. One company that does Fire Polish these French size catheters is Cure Medical. All french sizes fro 6 Fr. to 16 Fr. in every catheter they manufacture is Fire Polished.

The benefit of Fire Polished eylets is less irritation to the urethra as the catheter is inserted into the bladder for use. Consistent irritation to the urethra may cause scaring.

To purchase catheters with consistently smooth Fire Polished eyelets on every French size see Cure Medical

You will need an external urine drainage bag when using an external (condom) catheter or an indwelling catheter.  Both leg bags and bedside drainage bags may be needed and have multiple options available so you can make choices that will best meet your needs.

Leg bags come in many shapes and sizes.  You will need to choose what works for you based on many factors.  Where you position the leg bag and your leg length are important when deciding on the size.  You will also need to consider your hand function and flexibility when choosing your leg bag as there are several choices in the valve that empties the bag (T-Tap, Fas-Tap, Twist Drainage, etc.).   Leg bags are made of vinyl or latex.  The vinyl ones are considered disposable and the latex ones reusable.  Straps are available in latex, fabric and fabric with hook and loop closures.  You may also need a tubing/connector kit to connect the bag to the external (condom) or indwelling catheter. 

Night drainage or bed bags are also a consideration and come in 2000ml and 4000ml sizes, single or double hook and different valves.  A night drainage bottle is also available.  These typically come with tubing attached.

You may purchase these products from At Home Medical website: http://www.athomemedical.com/.

If you need assistance with any additional information you may contact Customer Service at 877-584-3562.

MTG Instant Cath Deluxe

This is a new catheter by Medical Technologies of Georgia, Inc., a family-owned, medical manufacturing company based in Georgia. MTG is owned and operated by the same people who pioneered and marketed closed system intermittent catheters under the company name MMG Healthcare. These products became famous as “the” intermittent catheters proven to reduce recurrent urinary tract infections for people who use IC as their primary method of bladder control.

Since Medical Technologies of Georgia, Inc. (MTG) is wholly devoted to improving the quality of life for those who use intermittent catheterization, MTG has significantly improved the former catheter to make it easier to use. Thus the production of the MTG Instant Cath™ Deluxe vinyl catheter came to be. The production of this product, from assembly, packaging and sterilization, is done entirely within the United States.

Features

The soft, silicone, introducer tip of the MTG Instant Cath™ Deluxe, Closed System Intermittent Catheter is designed to shield the catheter from contact with bacteria located within the first 1.5cm (about ½”) of the distal urethra. Most urethral bacteria are located in the distal urethra, so if the catheter is passed beyond this region without coming in contact with these potential pathogens, they will not be pushed further into the urethra or to the bladder. To greatly enhance ease of use, each MTG Instant Cath™ Deluxe catheter includes the added benefit of the patented EZ-Advancer™ valve. This means that as you pass the catheter to the bladder, the catheter does not retract into the bag, providing effortless catheterization. There’s no need to clamp down to stabilize, or to ever straighten the bag. Simply, advance the catheter – instantly!

When voiding is complete, and the catheter has been removed from the body, here’s a tip to easily empty the bag:

With one hand, grasp the firm plastic tube, at the top of the bag, and hold the bag upright, so the urine collects at the bottom of the bag.

With your other hand, use the gauze pad provided, or a tissue, and hold the tip-eye holes end of the catheter. The gauze or tissue should be used to cover the eye holes.

While continuing to hold the bag with one hand, extend the catheter to the top of the bag. When the flared end of the catheter reaches the firm plastic tube it will catch.

Now, give a slight tug on the catheter and the tube, EZ-Advancer™ valve and introducer tip will be removed from the bag and you can pour the urine into the toilet.

MTG Instant Cath™ Deluxe    

• Catheter made entirely in the USA
• Soft silicone, introducer tip and closed system to reduce risk of UTI
• Controlled, unvarying quantity of lubricant on the catheter surface to ensure consistency

• Polished eyes and smooth catheter tip for comfort
• Easy emptying - just pull the catheter out and pour fluid into toilet
• Smooth, soft bag edges reduce irritation
• Kits are available with a clear BZK wipe, or with PVP swabs
       Instant Cath Deluxe-Kit with PVP swabs
       Instant Cath Deluxe-Kit with BZK wipe

Intermittent catheter by Cure Medical.  The Cure Medical Cure Catheter is a relatively new product and is receiving great feedback.  It comes in both Female (6" long) and Male (16”) long.  It is DEHP and latex free. These sterile, single use catheters feature polished eyelets, tip options, and funnel ends. Cure Catheters are available by the each, box (30 units/box) and by the case (10 boxes/case). 

This catheter comes in the following French sizes which are identified by the associated product numbers:

Female Item #                      Male Item #
  F8    8 Fr.                              M8     8 Fr.
  F10   10 Fr.                           M10   10 Fr.
  F12   12 Fr.                           M12   12 Fr.
  F14   14 Fr.                           M14   14 Fr.
  F16   16 Fr.                           M16   16 Fr.

If you need assistance with any additional information for this product, please contact our Customer Service Department at 877-584-3562.

Intermittent catheter by Coloplast - Mentor.   Self-Cath Straight Tip with long funnel end, 16" long, 100% latex-free, sterile with fire-polished eyelets and a siliconized surface for smooth insertion. 

This catheter comes in the following French sizes which are identified by the associated product numbers:

Item # in straight packaging                            Item # in curved packaging

408    8 Fr.                                                      46012 Fr.

410   10 Fr.                                                     450   14 Fr.

412   12 Fr. 

414   14 Fr. 

416   16 Fr. 

418   18 Fr.

The company Mentor has recently been purchased by Coloplast.  The Mentor products you have trusted and used are still the same, only the packaging has changed to a new look.

If you need assistance with any additional information for this product, please contact our Customer Service Department at 877-584-3562.

An ostomy is a surgical procedure. When a part of the digestive system is diseased or damaged and not able to function normally, a hole is made in the abdomen and a portion of the small or large intestine is brought to the surface of the skin. This opening is known as the ostomy, and the end of the exposed intestine is known as the stoma. A colostomy and ileostomy are cared for in a similar manner with similar products.

When you have a colostomy or ileostomy, waste leaves the body through the stoma, the end of the intestine that is attached to the abdominal wall, instead of the anus. Since there is no muscle around the stoma, you are not able to control when waste or gas passes out of the body. An odor-proof plastic pouch (an ostomy pouch) surrounds the stoma to collect the waste. It is held to your skin with an adhesive. Pouching systems may be one-piece or two-piece.

In a two-piece system, the pouch and barrier (sometimes called a flange or wafer) are separate. The pouch contains a closing ring that attaches it to the barrier. This is generally a snap ring, similar to those found on food-storage containers. The barrier fits around the stoma and sticks to your skin.

In a one-piece system, the pouch and barrier are a single unit.

Other accessories may include:

Curved (convex) barriers, which conform better to some abdomens.

Ostomy belts, which help support the pouch.

Pouch covers, which conceal the pouch.

Skin barrier paste or seals, which fill in folds or skin irregularities of the abdomen to form a better seal.

Skin wipes or powders, which protect the skin under the barrier and around the stoma.

Tape, which supports the barrier and is used for waterproofing.

Tape remover, which makes removing the pouch easier.

Irrigation supplies.

You may contact At Home Medical with any questions/help regarding your product needs concerning your ostomy regimen.  A customer care  representative may be reached at info@athomemedical.com or toll-free at 877-584-3562.

Sterile Intermittent Catheterization technique may have been recommended by your physician as a way to reduce the occurrence of or prevent additional urinary tract infections.  There are several ways you may have been instructed to achieve sterile technique.  In general, sterile technique is using a new catheter for each catheterization.  Some are able to use a catheter alone but most require sterile lubricant packets or sterile insertion supplies.   Sterile insertion supplies include gloves, wipes or swabs, lubricant and a drape.

Following are different ways a sterile intermittent catheterization regimen may be met:

        Sterile intermittent catheter alone.

        Sterile intermittent catheter with sterile lubricant packet.

        Sterile intermittent catheter with sterile insertion supply packet.
        Closed system catheter which includes a pre-lubricated catheter inside a drainage bag.
        Closed system catheter which includes a pre-lubricated catheter inside a drainage bag along with
        the sterile insertion supplies. 

Your doctor will also recommend the frequency of your catheterization regimen, the French size (diameter) and any other specifics regarding the type of catheter you need.  You may contact At Home Medical with any questions/help regarding your product needs concerning your sterile intermittent catheterization regimen.  A customer care  representative may be reached at info@athomemedical.com or toll-free at 877-584-3562.

 
*Always consult your physician regarding your regimen, catheter size, type, etc.