microbiologist at laboratory work

Technology for Incontinence Hasn’t Developed That Much Since Ancient Egyptian Times

Today’s healthcare is full of technology that would seem like science fiction to our grandparents. But this is far from true in every area: some remain woefully neglected by innovation. Hop in a time machine back to ancient Egypt and you would find recognisable examples of the absorbent pads and catheters which are still a mainstay in the management of incontinence today.  The earliest known reference to an absorbent pad dates from 4th-century Egypt: the female scientist Hypatia is recorded as having thrown her menstrual rag at a student to ward off his infatuation with her. The pad remained a homemade “product” for many centuries until the 19th century, when manufactured versions of reuseable “antiseptic cotton for absorbing discharges” could be purchased from pharmacies. Disposable pads, first produced by Kotex in 1920, were in widespread use by the late 1930s. Since then, the only major innovation in their design has been the introduction of super absorbent polymers in the 1980s, which have dramatically improved absorbency. Read more.

Source: The Conversation, July 30, 2018

CompactCath

CompactCath, a Discreet, Compact, Hygienic Urinary Catheter Cleared in EU

The San Francisco Bay Area may be best known for information technology startups, but there are other small companies around that develop very different technologies. CompactCath has created a urinary catheter that solves some of the persistent issues that users of such devices have to face every day, and the company just announced that its eponymous device received CE Mark approval in Europe. About a year ago the CompactCath received FDA clearance. Read more.

Source: Medgadget, December 13, 2017

bacteria biofilm indwelling catheter

First New Urinary Catheter for 80 Years to Be Revealed

The inventors of a new catheter claim it could solve one of “the biggest problems” in community nursing and reduce discomfort, embarrassment and complications for millions of patients.  They are nearing the final stages of developing their new Flume Catheter, which they hope will solve many of the common problems associated with current models, and are calling on nurses to help them with their ongoing research.  Their design, which was also developed with input from community nurses, is less likely to block and also less of an infection risk than older models, according to the clinicians and engineers behind it. Read more.

Source: Nursing Times, November 15, 2017

Catheters for Managing Urinary Incontinence

catther in place in a male

Diagram of an intermittent catheter in place in a male for Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC).

There are three types of catheter products that are used for managing urinary incontinence: indwelling (sometimes called a Foley) catheters, suprapubic catheters, and  intermittent catheters. The process of catheterization prevents a difficult-to-empty bladder from becoming overly full and backing up into the kidneys.  This prevents kidney damage because these catheter drains urine from the bladder.Continue reading