Patent ID: 6979313

Claim:
A Foley catheter ( 10 ) with a proximal end ( 22 ) and a distal end ( 23 ), an elastomeric reservoir bulb ( 21 ) at the proximal end for storing fluid under pressure and in readiness to inflate, an anchoring balloon ( 20 ) at the distal end a lumen ( 12 ) connecting the reservoir bulb and the balloon for flow of fluid from the bulb to the balloon when the device is used, and including a control device ( 25 ) at the proximal end of the lumen to prevent said flow until said flow is desired said control device ( 25 ) comprises a plug ( 26 ) which blocks the lumen at its proximal end and includes a parting line, which enables the plug to be parted into two separate parts, by manual manipulation from outside the lumen, such parting having the effect of opening up fluid communication along the lumen from the reservoir bulb ( 21 ) to the balloon ( 20 ) to fully fill the balloon wherein the plug further comprises a co-axial stem ( 27 ) and annular part ( 26 ) with a diameter at least twice that of the stem, which meet at said parting line wherein the annular part comprises a tapering portion displaying a small end and a large end, the small end being remote from the stem, wherein the annular part comprises a cylindrical portion, wherein the cylindrical portion lies between the tapering portion and the stem, in the axial direction of the plug, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical portion is greater than that of the large end of the tapering portion, including a step between the large end of the tapering portion and the cylindrical portion.