Catheters

Claim 2

A urethral catheter assembly comprising a polymeric tube having a drainage lumen and proximal and distal ends, and a flexible elongated member connected to said tube as an extension thereof for inserting the tube into the urethra, said member having means on the end thereof connected to said tube formed for releasing the member from the proximal end of the tube after the tube has been positioned, expansion means on said distal end for retaining the tube in position, and means other than said member for removing the tube from the urethra so that the drainage lumen, in use, extends from the bladder only part way along the urethra, thereby leaving a substantial remaining part of the urethra at least substantially free for the normal passage of urine.

Claim 3

The urethral catheter assembly of claim 1 in which the tube is so dimensioned that the proximal end thereof is in use situated adjacent but slightly on the bladder side of the sphincter urethra muscles.

Claim 4

The urethral catheter assembly of claim 1 in which the tube is approximately 3 inches long and about one quarter of an inch in external diameter.

Claim 5

The urethral catheter assembly of claim 1 in which said expansion means for retaining a tube in position includes an inflatable sac surrounding the tube, the interior of the sac being in communication with an inflation lumen along which fluid can be passed for inflating the sac, and in which a fine bore tube extends from said inflation lumen and, in use, extends along the remaining part of the urethra to a convenient distance beyond and serves as said means for removing the tube from the urethra.

Claim 6

The urethral catheter assembly of claim 4 in which said member for inserting the tube into the urethra has a longitudinal groove formed in its outer peripheral surface for receiving said fine bore tube.

Claim 7

The urethral catheter assembly of claim 1 in which said formed end of the flexible member is in the form of a spigot adapted to slip it into the proximal end of the tube.

Claim 8

The urethral catheter assembly of claim 1 in which an end face of the proximal end of the tube is inclined at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube so that the tube can be easily withdrawn.

Claim 9

The urethral catheter assembly of claim 1 in which saId member for inserting the tube into the urethra is a tubular member.

Claim 10

A surgical assembly comprising a two piece urethral catheter including a tube and tube inserting means separate from said tube; said tube having a drainage lumen, inlet opening means in said tube at one end thereof in communication with said drainage lumen, said tube also having a proximal end remote from said one end, retaining means carried by said tube adjacent said inlet opening means on said proximal end side thereof for normally retaining said tube against withdrawal, means connected to said tube and extending beyond said proximal end for rendering said retaining means inoperative and for withdrawing said tube from said urethra; and said tube inserting means being in the form of an elongated flexible member having connecting means at one end thereof for releaseable positive inkterlocking engagement with said tube at said proximal end during the insertion of said tube and for automatic separation of said flexible member from said tube when said flexible member is withdrawn, and said tube being of a length to terminate within an urethra in an unaccessible position.

Claim 11

A surgical assembly comprising a two piece urethral catheter including a tube and tube inserting means separate from said tube; said tube having a drainage lumen, inlet opening means in said tube at one end thereof in communication with said drainage lumen, said tube also having a proximal end remote from said one end, retaining means carried by said tube adjacent said inlet opening means on said proximal end side thereof for normally retaining said tube against withdrawal, means connected to said tube and extending beyond said proximal end for rendering said retaining means inoperative and for withdrawing said tube from said urethra; and said tube inserting means being in the form of an elongated flexible member having connecting means at one end thereof for releaseable positive inkterlocking engagement with said tube at said proximal end during the insertion of said tube and for automatic separation of said flexible member from said tube when said flexible member is withdrawn, and said tube being of a length to terminate within an urethra in an unaccessible position.

Claim 12

The catheter of claim 9 wherein said flexible member is hollow and in communication with said drainge lumen to provide an initial visual indication when said tube is in place.