Reusable catheter for long-term sterile intermittent catheterization.
A new resterilizable, low cost, and convenient catheter for long-term sterile intermittent catheterization of the neurogenic bladder is described. Average self-catheterization time is 2 minutes. It can be performed successfully in a wheelchair. Estimated average cost per catheterization is 10 to 20 cents. The reduced cost and greater convenience of the Wu Reusable Catheter make sterile long-term intermittent catheterization feasible for spinal cord injured patients. This should lead to reduction of urologic morbidity encountered with indwelling and external catheterization.
D006801:Humans; D012648:Self Care; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000451:nursing; D013242:Sterilization; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000628:therapy*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods