Patent ID: 11141561

Abstract:
A urinary catheter is readily removed and replaced with a second urinary catheter without introducing foreign matter or contaminants into the bladder. The first urinary catheter includes an extra lumen that houses a sheath, which sheath seals the extra lumen from introduction of fluids. The sheath seals an opening hole at or near the tip of the catheter. After the sheath is extracted from the catheter, a guidewire is threaded through the extra lumen and into the patient's bladder. The first urinary catheter is withdrawn from the patient, leaving the guidewire in the patient. A second urinary catheter is inserted into the patient over the guidewire, with the guidewire present in the urine lumen of the second urinary catheter. The guidewire then is extracted from the patient. The second urinary catheter may also have an extra lumen and a sheath with a break-away seal so that the second urinary catheter may be removed and replaced in like manner.