URETHRAL INDWELLING CATHETER WITH INCONTINENCE CONTROL AND METHOD

摘要

The catheter includes a user-controlled incontinence portion that is combinable with a fluid drainage member to permit continuous bladder drainage into a fluid collection member. The fluid drainage member can be detached from the incontinence portion fo the catheter while the catheter is installed in the urethra and bladder to convert from a continuous drainage system to a user-controlled system. In some embodiments of the invention the fluid drainage member includes inflation lumen for inflating a bladder balloon and urethral cuff of the incontinence portion. In other embodiments of the invention the bladder engaging portion and the urethral cuff are noninflatable and can be either compressed or distended to facilitate insertion in the urethra and bladder. A palpatable valve means is palpatable through the penis to an open condition to permit user-controlled bladder drainage. The valve means in several embodiments of the invention is maintained in a continuously open condition when the fluid drainage portion is joined to the incontinence portion. In another embodiment of the invention the valve means can still be palpated to an open or closed condition when the fluid drainage system is joined to the incontinence portion.