A soft, sterile tube made of plastic, silicone or red rubber latex that is inserted into the bladder at periodic intervals to drain the urine then discarded. Popular brand names include: CURE Catheter, Apogee®, EasyCath®, Clean-Cath®, Personal catheter®, Self Cath®, Magic 3®, Cure Twist™

A sterile, intermittent catheter contained completely inside of plastic bag allowing insertion of the catheter into the body without touching and contaminating the device. Many closed system catheters feature an “introducer tip” which allows the catheter to bypass the first few millimeters of the urethra where the highest concentrations of bacteria are located. This product has been shown to help reduce urinary tract infections in several clinical studies. Popular brand names include: CURE Catheter™, Easy Cath Kit®, FloCath Quick®, MMG® , HiSlip®, Touchless®, Apogee® , Advanced Plus®.

Hydrophilic catheters have special coating that becomes extremely slippery when activated by water or saline. You do not need any additional lubricant when using a hydrophilic catheter. They are available with straight or Coude tips. There are also Close System Kits with Hydrophilic catheters. Popular brand names include: Speedi Cath®, FloCath Quick®, SpeediCath Compact®, Hi-Slip Plus®, Hydrophilic Personal Catheter®.

Coude-tip catheter has a slight curve or bend in the insertion tip. Coude or curved tip catheter usage will make it easier for some men to thread the catheter past their prostate. Coude tip catheters are also good for anyone with narrowing of the urethra and that have any blockages in their urethral pathway.

Sometimes called “Texas” catheters, these devices resemble a condom and fit over the penis in the same manner. The urine drains out of the catheter into a tube which is connected to a drainage device such as a leg bag or bedside drain bag. Popular brand names include: UltraFlex®, Pop-On, Wide Band® and Freedom Clear®, Conveen® Optima.

Used for continuous urine drainage, a Foley catheter remains in place inside the bladder. A small balloon in the tip is inflated after insertion to keep the end of the catheter from slipping out of the bladder. Urine flows from the bladder and collects in a drainage device such as a leg bag or bedside drain bag.

An external or Foley catheter will need to be attached to a drainage bag to collect the urine.

There are two types of drainage bags:

A Leg Bag is designed to be worn discreetly under clothing either on the thigh or around the calf. They range in volume sizes, usually 19oz or 32oz, and come with a variety of drain valves to easily empty the urine into the toilet when completely filled.

A Bedside Drain Bag is a larger device, usually 2000cc (68oz) or 4000cc (135oz), making it ideal for use at night. It is usually hung low on the bed or placed on the floor. This position allows gravity to help the urine drain.