Urinary retention catheter

摘要

Disclosed is an improved drainage catheter for insertion into and retention in the bladder of the human body, and a novel stylet for use in inserting the catheter through the urethra and into the bladder. The catheter is formed of an elongate flexible cannula having a free and unobstructed open end adapted to be inserted into the bladder to permit drainage of waste material from the bladder and to facilitate the insertion of diagnostic instrumentation into the bladder. The end of the catheter in the bladder can expand to widen the opening and cause the open end to lie lower in the bladder. The stylet is an elongate flexible member adapted to be inserted into the cannula prior to the cannula being inserted into the urethra. The cannula and the stylet have cooperating stop means to prevent the stylet from passing through the cannula beyond a predetermined point so that the stylet can be used to push the cannula through the urethra and insert the open end into the bladder. The stylet has a rounded top which protrudes beyond the open end of the cannula to provide a guide for the cannula in passing through the urethra so as to prevent trauma thereto, the tip being removable so that a cleaning brush element can be attached to the stylet. The cooperating stop means can be arranged such that the cannula will deflect at the stop means on the cannula so that the stylet moves freely to provide an indication that the catheter is properly located and secured within the bladder.