Abstract:
An indwelling urinary catheter comprises a two-ply (or equivalent) air-inflatable anchoring balloon means in which an outer ply or skin thickness thereof, is not bonded to the inner ply over one or more small areal segments each measured at the intersection of the two plys radially located from the axis of symmetry of a central catheter body. Instead, when inflated, each areal segment expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction over a minimum radial arc relative to a central catheter body, to form one or more elongated lobes that are larger than and hence stabilize the catheter body relative to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder but leaving rigid collar regions located between adjacent segments so as to not interfere with the formation of large drainage ports therethrough. After deployment and inflation, these one or more segments are seen to provide corresponding one or more corresponding inflated lobes those size is much greater than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder to prevent the stabilize of the catheter therefrom during use. Meanwhile, since each of the rigid collar regions is of greater wall thickness than that provided the outer ply of the segments, the location of the drainage ports provided therein, relative to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder, can be dramatically changed, viz., the latter can also be downwardly re-located to be more closely adjacent to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder, than heretofore. Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine stowage, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder.

Description:
This invention relates to an indwelling urinary catheter comprising a two-ply (or equivalent) air-inflatable anchoring balloon means in which an outer ply thereof, is not bonded to the inner ply over one or more small areal wall segments each measured at the intersection of the two plys radially located from the axis of symmetry of a central catheter body. When inflated, each areal wall segment (the ratio of longitudinal height H versus arcuate width W being at least 3:1 with a range of 5:1 to 10:1 being preferred) expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction over a minimum radial arc relative to a central catheter body, to form one or more elongated lobes those maximum size is larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder and hence stabilize the catheter body relative to the latter. But the origin of the lobes is small enough relative to the full circumference of the catheter body that space remains to permit the formation of one or more rigid collar regions therebetween. Result: formation of large drainage ports is easily permitted between the outer surface of the catheter body connecting the same to its interior cavity, in a region closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (normalized to gravity). That is to say, after deployment and inflation, the outer ply of the one or more areal wall segments is engineered so that the size of the one or more corresponding inflated lobes is much greater than that of the entry port of the bladder to prevent catheter dislodgement during use. Since each of the rigid collar regions is of greater wall thickness than that provided for the limited areal segments, the drainage ports provided therein, can also be downwardly relocated more closely adjacent to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder, than heretofore possible. Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine stowage, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during catheterization even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the number of small areal wall segments is one wherein one sidewise lobe is thereafter provided. In yet another aspect the number of small areal segments is two wherein two symmetrical sidewise projecting lobes are provided along with two sets of vertically extending collar regions and two sets of entry port(s). In still another aspect the number of small areal wall segments three wherein three symmetrical sidewise projecting lobes are provided along with three sets of vertically extending collar regions and associated entry ports. In yet still another aspect the number of small areal wall segments is four wherein four symmetrical sidewise projecting lobes are provided along with four sets of vertically directed collar regions and associated aligned entry ports. In yet still another aspect the number of small areal segments is five wherein five symmetrical sidewise projecting lobes are provided along with five sets of vertically directed collar regions and associated vertically aligned entry ports. In yet still another aspect the number of small areal wall segments is six wherein six symmetrical sidewise projecting lobes are provided along with six sets of vertically directed collar regions and associated aligned entry ports. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the catheter body and balloon means are preferably integrally molded from silicone to produce the balloon shapes and entry port locations noted above wherein the balloon means is selectively provided by varying the thickness of the associated wall region of the catheter body in appropriate manner. 
   That is to say, each of the small areal wall segments that results in the lobes, noted above, has a central base region overspanning an air opening, also located within the wall of the catheter body, the base region itself being of reduced wall thickness in a sidewise direction over a limited arc region but Ha being of greater thickness in the remaining sidewise radial direction. The air opening of each base region (defining the aforementioned areal segment) is also selectively connectable to an exterior air pump via an air-conveying trough terminating at a valve within a pigtail tube integrally formed at the periphery of the central catheter body. The lateral and vertically extending, arcuate collar regions located adjacent to the base cavity of each balloon means, define a limited arc angle and hence comprise only a portion of the full wall of the catheter body. Terminating interior of the collar means is a large drainage cavity vertically extending throughout the catheter body to transport urine, such large drainage cavity being fluidly connectable to the aforementioned drainage (or entry} ports located adjacent to its terminal end (which in use, are positioned within the user&#39;s bladder above the entry port between first and second spaced apart projection planes defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobe(s) after deployment. Since each of the collar regions is of greater wall thickness than that provided for the limited areal segments of the balloon means, the drainage ports provided therein, can be re-located more closely adjacent to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder, than heretofore. Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during catheterization. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Catheters of the prior art included the use of symmetrically disposed balloons in which—after deployment and inflation—the drainage ports of each inflated catheter are always located well above the upper reach of the inflated balloon (normalized to gravity), viz., high in the user&#39;s bladder above the entry port of the latter. Result: large amounts of the user&#39;s urine remain in the bladder, especially if the bladder sags or tilts toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like (hereinafter called “residual urine stowage”). 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the invention, an indwelling urinary catheter comprises a two-ply (or equivalent) air-inflatable anchoring balloon means in which an outer ply or equivalent skin thickness thereof, is not bonded to the inner ply or thickness over one or more small areal segments each measured at the intersection of the two plys radially located from the axis of symmetry of a central catheter body. Instead, when inflated, each areal segment expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction over a minimum radial arc relative to a central catheter body, to form one or more elongated lobes that are larger than and hence stabilize the catheter body relative to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder but leaving rigid collar regions located between adjacent segments so as to not interfere with the formation of large drainage ports therethrough. After deployment and inflation, these one or more segments are seen to provide corresponding one or more corresponding inflated lobes those size is much greater than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder to prevent the stabilize of the catheter therefrom during use. Meanwhile, since each of the rigid collar regions is of greater wall thickness than that provided the outer ply of the segments, the location of the drainage ports provided therein, relative to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder, can be dramatically changed, viz., the latter can also be downwardly re-located to be more closely adjacent to the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder, than heretofore. Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine stowage, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a catheter incorporating the present invention showing a single elongated wall segment and a single collar region containing diametrically opposed drainage ports; 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are fragmentary, enlarged views of the single wall segment and collar region of  FIG. 1  after inflation, the former being a side view and the latter being a top view; 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are fragmentary, enlarged views of an alternative to the catheter of  FIG. 1  similar to  FIGS. 2 and 3  showing two wall segments flanking two collar regions; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are fragmentary, enlarged views of an another alternative to the catheter of  FIG. 1  similar to  FIGS. 2-5  showing three wall segments flanking three collar regions; 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are fragmentary, enlarged views of still another alternative to the catheter of  FIG. 1  similar to  FIGS. 2-7  showing four wall segments flanking four collar regions; 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are fragmentary, enlarged views of yet another alternative to the catheter of  FIG. 1  similar to  FIGS. 2-9  showing five wall segments flanking five collar regions; 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  are fragmentary, enlarged views of still yet another alternative to the catheter of  FIG. 1  similar to  FIGS. 2-11  showing six wall segments flanking six collar regions; and 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are fragmentary, enlarged views of still yet another alternative to the catheter of  FIG. 1  similar to the view set forth in  FIGS. 2-13  showing a single elongated wall segment of  FIG. 1  connected to a full circumferentially extending ring segment at its lower end, with a collar region positioned above the ring segment, after inflation. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an indwelling urinary catheter  10 . As indicated the catheter  10  comprises a cylindrical discharge tube  11  having an inlet end  12  and Y-shaped discharge end  13 . The Y-shaped discharge end  13  is of conventional design and includes a main enlarged cylindrical housing  14  connectable to a male connector (not shown) of urine collection system that includes a bag (also not shown) into which the urine can be temporarily stored. The Y-shaped discharge end  13  also includes air-pump housing having an inlet  8  of circular cross sect ion for engaging a conventional hand operated pump (not shown) for providing air pressure through a valve assembly  16  and thence to the inlet end  12  of the catheter  10  for inflation of balloon means  20  via an air-transference trough  9  shown in phantom line. 
   The shape of the balloon means  20  varies. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the balloon means  20  of catheter  10  comprises a side wall  21  of a two-ply (or equivalent) construction in which an outer ply  21   a  is not bonded to inner ply  21   b  over a small areal wall segment  22 . The wall segment  22  is measured vertically and circumferentially at the intersection of the two plys  21   a ,  21   b  to define a longitudinal height H and an arcuate width W and is positioned at a radial distance D from axis of symmetry  24  of central catheter body  25 . When inflated as shown in  FIG. 3 , the wall segment  22  (the ratio of longitudinal height H versus arcuate width W being at least 3:1 with a range of 5:1 to 10:1 being preferred) expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction over a minimum radial arc relative to the central catheter body  25 , to form an elongated lobe  27  having an origin  28  at the wall segment  22 . In use, the size of the lobe  27  is much larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (not shown) for stabilization purposes. But the size of the origin  28  of the lobe  27  is small enough relative to the full circumference of the side wall  21  of the catheter body  25  that sufficient space remains to permit the formation of a rigid collar region  30  measured between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ,  32  defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobe  27  after deployment. 
   Result: formation of large drainage ports  35  is easily permitted through side wall  21  to fluidly connect outer surface  36  of the catheter body  25  to interior main cavity  37  at a level between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ,  32  defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobe  27  after deployment. After insertion, such level is positioned closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (normalized to gravity, not shown). Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine stowage, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during usage even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging, etc. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , the balloon means  20 ′ of catheter  10 ′ comprises two diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ′ and  22   b ′, each including two-ply (or equivalent) construction in which outer ply  21   a ′ is not bonded to inner ply  21   b ′ over the area comprising wall segments  22   a ′ and  22   b ′. Each wall segment  22   a ′ or  22   b ′ is measured vertically and circumferentially at the intersection of the two plys  21   a ′,  21   b ′ and is positioned at a radial distance D 1  from axis of symmetry  24 ′ of central catheter body  25 ′. When inflated as shown in  FIG. 5 , each wall segment  22   a ′ or  22   b ′ expands mostly in an opposite sidewise looking direction opposite to that of the other segment, relative to the axis of symmetry  24 ′ over a minimum radial arc relative to the central catheter body  25 ′, to form an elongated lobe  27   a ′ or  27   b ′. Origin  28   a ′ or  28   b ′ of each lobe  27   a ′ or  27   b  corresponds to diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ′ or  22   b ′, respectively. In use, the size of the lobes  27   a ′ or  27   b ′ is much larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (not shown) for stabilization purposes. But the size of the origin  28   a ′ or  28   b ′ of respectively lobes  27   a ′ or  27   b ′ is small enough relative to the full circumference of the side wall  21 ′ of the catheter body  25 ′ that sufficient space remains to permit the formation of rigid collar regions  30   a ′,  30   b ′ located between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ′,  32 ′ defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobes  27   a ′,  27   b ′ after deployment. Result: formation of large drainage ports  35 ′ is easily permitted through side wall  21 ′ to fluidly connect outer surface  36 ′ of the catheter body  25 ′ and interior main cavity  37 ′ closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder ,(normalized to gravity, not shown). Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , balloon means  20 ″ of catheter  10 ″ comprises three diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ″,  22   b ″,  22   c ″, each being arcuately spaced 120 degrees from neighboring segments and including two-ply (or equivalent) construction in which outer ply  21   a ″ is not bonded to inner ply  21   b ″ over the area comprising wall segments  22   a ″,  22   b ″ or  22   c ″. Each wall segment  22   a ″,  22   b ″,  22   c ″ is measured vertically and circumferentially at the intersection of the two plys  21   a ″,  21   b ″ and is positioned at a radial distance D 2  from axis of symmetry  24 ″ of central catheter body  25 ″. When inflated as shown in  FIG. 7 , each wall segment  22   a ′,  22   b ″,  22   c ″ expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction that is 120 degrees from those of neighboring segments, having a common origin at the axis of symmetry  24 ″ over a minimum radial arc relative to the central catheter body  25 ″, to form an elongated lobe  27   a ″,  27   b ″ or  27   c ″. Origin  28   a ″,  28   b ″ or  28   c ″ of each lobe  27   a ″,  27   b ″ or  27   c ″ corresponds to diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ″,  22   b ″ or  22   c ″, respectively. In use, the size of the lobes  27   a ″,  27   b ″ or  27   c ″ is much larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (not shown) for stabilization purposes. But the size of the origin  28   a ″,  28   b ″ or  28   c ″ of respectively lobes  27   a ″,  27   b ″ or  27   c ″ is small enough relative to the full circumference of the side wall  21 ″ of the catheter body  25 ″ that sufficient space remains to permit the formation of rigid collar regions  30   a ″,  30   b ″,  30   c ″ located between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ″,  32 ″ defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobes  27   a ″,  27   b ″,  27   c ″ after deployment. Result: formation of large drainage ports  35 ″ is easily permitted through side wall  21 ″ to fluidly connect outer surface  36 ″ of the catheter body  25 ″ and interior main cavity  37 ″ closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (normalized to gravity, not shown). Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , balloon means  20 ′″ of catheter  10 ′″ comprises four diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ′″,  22   b ′″,  22   c ′″,  22   d ′″, each being arcuately spaced 90 degrees from neighboring segments and including two-ply (or equivalent) construction in which outer ply  21   a ′″ is not bonded to inner ply  21   b ′″ over the area comprising wall segments  22   a ′″,  22   b ′″,  22   c ′″ or  22   d ′″. Each wall segment  22   a ′″,  22   b ′″,  22   c ′″ or  22   d ′″ , is measured vertically and circumferentially at the intersection of the two plys  21   a ′″,  21   b ′″ and is positioned at a radial distance D 3  from axis of symmetry  24 ′″ of central catheter body  25 ′″; When inflated as shown in  FIG. 9 , each wall segment  22   a ′″,  22   b ′″,  22   c ′″ or  22   d ′″ expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction that are spaced 90 degrees from those of neighboring segments, having a common origin at the axis of symmetry  24 ′″ over a minimum radial arc relative to the central catheter body  25 ′″, to form an elongated lobe  27   a ′″ ,  27   b ′″,  27   c ′″ or  27   d ′″. Origin  28   a ′″,  28   b ′″,  28   c ′″, or  28   d ′″ of each lobe  27   a ″,  27   b ′  27   c ′ or  27   d ′ ″ corresponds to diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ′″,  22   b ′″,  22   c ′″ or  22   d ′″, respectively. In use, the size of the lobes  27   a ′″  27   b ′″,  27   c ′″ or  27   d ′″ is much larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (not shown) for stabilization purposes. But the size of the origin  28   a ′″,  28   b ′″,  28   c ′″ or  28   d ′″ of respectively lobes  27   a ′″,  27   b ′″,  27   c ′″ or  27   d ′″ is small enough relative to the full circumference of the side wall  21 ′″ of the catheter body  25 ′″ that sufficient space remains to permit the formation of rigid collar regions  30   a ′″,  30   b ′″,  30   c ′″,  30   d ′″ located between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ′″,  32 ′″ defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobes  27   a ′″,  27   b ′″,  27   c ′″, 27   d ′″ after deployment. Result: formation of large drainage ports  35 ′″ is easily permitted through side wall  21 ′″ to fluidly connect outer surface  36 ′″ of the catheter body  25 ′″ and interior main cavity  37 ′″ closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (normalized to gravity, not shown). Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 10 &amp; 11 , balloon means  20 ″″ of catheter  10 ″″ comprises five diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ″″,  22   b ″″,  22   c ″″,  22   d ″″,  22   e ″″, each being arcuately spaced 72 degrees from neighboring segments and including two-ply (or equivalent) construction in which outer ply  21   a ″″ is not bonded to inner ply  21   b ″″ over the area comprising wall segments  22   a ″″,  22   b ″″,  22   c ″″,  22   d ″″ or  22   e ″″. Each wall segment  22   a ″″,  22   b ″″,  22   c ″″,  22   d ″″ or  22   e ″″, is measured vertically and circumferentially at the intersection of the two plys  21   a ″″,  21   b ″″ and is positioned at a radial distance D 4  from axis of symmetry  24 ″″ of central catheter body  25 ″″. When inflated as shown in  FIG. 11  each wall segment  22   a ″″,  22   b ″″,  22   c ″″,  22   d ″″ or  22   e ″″ expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction that are spaced 72 degrees from those of neighboring segments, having a common origin at the axis of symmetry  24 ″″ over a minimum radial arc relative to the central catheter body  25 ″″, to form an elongated lobe  27   a ″″,  27   b ″″,  27   c ″″,  27   d ″″ or  27   e ″″. Origin  28   a ″″,  28   b ″″,  28   c ″″,  28   d ″″ or  28   e ″″ of each lobe  27   a ″″,  27   b ″″,  27   c ″″,  27   d ″″ or  27   e ″″ corresponds to diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ″″,  22   b ″″,  22   c ″″,  22   d ″″ or  22   e ″″, respectively. In use, the size of the lobes  27   a ″″,  27   b ″″,  27   c ″″,  27   d ″″ or  27   e ″″ is much larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (not shown) for stabilization purposes. But the size of the origin  28   a ″″,  28   b ″″,  28   c ″″,  28   d ″″ or  28   e ″″ of respectively lobes  27   a ″″,  27   b ″″,  27   c ″″,  27   d ″″ or  27   e ″″ is small enough relative to the full circumference of the side wall  21 ″″ of the catheter body  25 ″″ that sufficient space remains to permit the formation of rigid collar regions  30   a ″″,  30   b ″″,  30   c ″″,  30   d ″″,  30   e ″″ located between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ″″,  32 ″″ defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobes  27   a ″″,  27   b ″″,  27   c ″″,  27   d ″″,  27   e ″″ after deployment. Result: formation of large drainage ports  35 ″″ is easily permitted through side wall  21 ″″ to fluidly connect outer surface  36 ″″ of the catheter body  25 ″″ and interior main cavity  37 ″″ closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (normalized to gravity, not shown). Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12 &amp; 13 , balloon means  20 ′″″ of catheter  10 ′″″ comprises six diametrically opposed wall segments  22   a ′″″, arcuately spaced 60 degrees from neighboring segments and including two-ply (or equivalent) construction in which outer ply  21   a ′″″ is not bonded to inner ply  21   b ′″″ over the area comprising wall segments  22   a ′″″,  22   b ′″″,  22   c ′″″,  22   d ′″″,  22   e ′″″ or  22   f ′″″. Each wall segment  22   a ′″″,  22   b ′″″,  22   c ′″″,  22   d ′″″,  22   e ′″″ or  22   f ′″″, is measured vertically and circumferentially at the intersection of the two plys  21   a ′″″,  21   b ′″″ and is positioned at a radial distance D 5  from axis of symmetry  24 ′″″ of central catheter body  25 ′″″. When inflated as shown in  FIG. 13  each wall segment  22   a ′″″,  22   b ′″″,  22   c ′″″,  22   d ′″″,  22   e ′″″, or  22   f ′″″ expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction that are spaced 60 degrees from those of neighboring segments, having a common origin at the axis of symmetry  24 ′″″ over a minimum radial arc relative to the central catheter body  25 ′″″, to form an elongated lobe  27   a ′″″,  27   b ′″″,  27   c ′″″,  27   d ′″″,  27   e ′″″ or  27   f ′″″. In use, the size of the lobes  27   a ′″″,  27   b ′″″,  27   c ′″″,  27   d ′″″,  27   e ′″″ or  27   f ′″″ is much larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (not shown) for stabilization purposes. But the size of each origin of the lobes  27   a ′″″,  27   b ′″″,  27   c ′″″,  27   d ′″″,  27   e ′″″ or  27   f ′″″ is small enough relative to the full circumference of the side wall  21 ′″″ of the catheter body  25 ′″″ that sufficient space remains to permit the formation of rigid collar regions  30   a ′″″,  30   b ′″″,  30   c ′″″,  30   d ′″″,  30   e ′″″,  30   f ′″″ located between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ′″″,  32 ′″″ defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobes  27   a ′″″,  27   b ′″″,  27   c ′″″,  27   d ′″″,  27   e ′″″,  27   f ′″″ after deployment. Result: formation of large drainage ports  35 ′″″ is easily permitted through side wall  21 ′″″ to fluidly connect outer surface  36 ′″″ of the catheter body  25 ′″″ and interior main cavity  37 ′″″ closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (normalized to gravity, not shown). Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like. 
   ALTERNATIVE 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  show an alternative catheter  10 ″″″ in which catheter body  25 ″″″ and balloon means  20 ″″″ are integrally molded from silicone to produce the balloon shape and entry port locations noted in  FIGS. 1-3  wherein the balloon means  20 ″″″ is selectively provided by varying the thickness of the extending wall  21 ″″″ of the catheter body  25 ″″″ in appropriate manner. 
   That is to say, areal wall segment  22 ″″″ that results in lobe  27 ″″″, has a central base region  50  overspanning an air opening  51 , also located within the side wall  21 ″″″ of the catheter body  25 ″″″. The wall segment  22 ″″″ is measured vertically and circumferentially at the intersection of twin skin thicknesses (above and below same as discussed in detail below) and is defined by a longitudinal height H and an arcuate width W, and is positioned at a radial distance D 6  from axis of symmetry  24 ″″″ of central catheter body  25 ″″″. 
   Base region  50  terminates in a radial direction (i) a thin over-skin portion  50   a  of reduced wall thickness positioned at a radial distance D 7  from axis of symmetry  24 ″″″ of central catheter body  25 ″″″, where D 7  is greater than D 6 , and (ii) an under-skin portion  50   b  of greater thickness located closer to the axis of symmetry  24 ″″″ than the over-skin portion  50   a . i.e., base region  50  is defined in the radial direction at the intersection of the over-skin portion  50   a  and under-skin portion  50   b . However, termination in the longitudinal direction parallel to the axis of symmetry  24 ″″″ , occurs for the base region at end regions  50   c ,  50   d  bisected by the air opening  51 , the latter being selectively connectable to an exterior air pump (not shown) via a single air-conveying trough  53  integrally formed at the periphery of the central catheter body  25 ″″″. Also intersecting the lower end region  50   d  of the base region  50  is a circumferentially extending ring region  54 . The ring region  54  terminates in (i) a thin over-skin portion  54   a  of reduced wall thickness and (ii) an under-skin portion  54   b  of greater thickness located closer to the axis of symmetry  24 ″″″ than the over-skin portion  54   a.    
   When inflated, the over-skin portions  50   a ,  54   a  of the base region  50  and ring region  54 , expand. The over-skin portion  50   a  expands mostly in a sidewise looking direction over a minimum radial arc relative to the central catheter body  25 ″″″, to form an elongated lobe  27 ″″″ having an origin at the base region  50 . Likewise, when inflated the over-skin portion  54   a  expands to form a truncated sphere  56  around the full circumference of the body  25 ″″″ except for its intersection with region  50 . 
   In use, the size of the lobe  27 ″″″ is much larger than that of the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (not shown) for stabilization purposes While the truncated sphere  56  is only sightly larger that entry port of the user&#39;s bladder for better sealing purposes. But the sizes of the origin of the lobe  27 ″″″ and truncated sphere  56 , are small enough relative to the full circumference of the side wall  21 ″″″ of the catheter body  25 ″″″ that sufficient space remains to permit the formation of a rigid collar region  30 ″″″ measured between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ″″″,  32 ″″″ defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobe  27 ″″″ after deployment. Result: formation of large drainage ports  35 ″″″ is easily permitted through side wall  21 ″″″ to fluidly connect outer surface  36 ″″″ of the catheter body  25 ″″″ to interior cavity  37 ″″″ at a level between longitudinal first and second spaced apart projection planes  31 ″″″,  32 ″″″ defining the vertical (or axial) extent of the lobe  27 ″″″ after deployment. After insertion, such level is positioned closely adjacent to and slightly above the entry port of the user&#39;s bladder (normalized to gravity, not shown). Result: greater drainage efficiency wherein little or no residue urine, occurs in the user&#39;s bladder during usage even though such bladder may sag or tilt toward the entry port, due to fatigue, aging or the like. 
   It is obvious that alternate embodiments of the invention are suggestible to those skilled in the art from the discussion set forth above and such changes, modifications and alternatives are to be within the scope of the invention as claimed below.