Patent ID: 6096013
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A urinary catheter for insertion into a patient, comprising:a distal end, formed from a hollow, relatively rigid, tube;a proximal end having at least two opposed flexible sections for insertion into the bladder of a patient;a central section positioned between said distal and proximal ends and consisting of a pair of spaced apart coaxial tubes composed of a collapsible material, an inner one of said coaxial tubes having a lumen extending between respective openings formed in said distal and proximal ends to provide fluid communication therebetween, said central section having an expandable chamber formed between said coaxial tubes, said chamber having a closed end adjacent said proximal end of said catheter and an open passage extending from a portion of said catheter adjacent said distal end;and valve means coupled to said open passage for selectively introducing a fluid into said chamber and withdrawing the fluid independent of fluid flow through said lumen, wherein said introduction of fluid into said chamber causes stiffening of said central section of said catheter to permit insertion of said catheter into a patient's bladder and subsequent withdrawal of the fluid returns said central section to a substantially flaccid condition and said chamber to a collapsed state.