In the medical industry, finding suitable catheter solutions is an ongoing pursuit. Catheters are flexible plastic tubes that transport liquids and other substances inside or outside the body. However, the type and design of these medical devices can vary depending on the medical procedure. To meet the needs of healthcare providers, reliable design capabilities and a range of materials are essential.
The effectiveness of these devices can be significantly impacted by the choice of materials used in their construction. Catheters are available in various materials, such as flexible polymers, hydrophilic coatings, and hypoallergenic compounds, each affecting their performance. They also have different designs and functions, such as guiding catheters, microcatheters, and electrophysiology catheters.
Seisa Medical has assembled a specialized team of designers and manufacturers to create customized catheter solutions. Our experienced and knowledgeable team is skilled in developing catheters using specific materials required for various medical procedures.
What is a catheter?
A catheter is a hollow conduit that transports liquid, cameras, cables, and other elements. Plastic is the most used component for catheters, but silicon, nylon, and polyethylene are also frequent materials. Hydrophilic catheters with a slippery surface can be easily inserted and removed from the body due to their outer coating.
Physicians use catheters to drain fluids from specific organs in the body. The most frequent draining catheter is a urinary catheter, which extracts urine from the bladder when the liquid cannot leave the body naturally, however, some catheters also may transport blood and other fluids. They are prevalent in providing medical care and medical facilities, specifically for drug administration and blood transfusion.
Catheters are also the most reliable way to access internal organs without invasive procedures, and experts can insert the catheter through different body orifices and perform less harmful surgeries. Additionally, catheters can transport cameras and other exploratory equipment, allowing surgeons to use them during operations.
Catheter types
Urinary catheter
Urinary catheters come in two main types: intermittent or straight catheters and indwelling catheters.
- The intermittent catheter enters through the urethra and is easy to insert and extract, and patients may use it without medical help.
- The indwelling catheter has a balloon at the end, keeping it in place. Depending on the patient’s condition and needs, it may stay in the body for several days, weeks, or even months.
There are two options for this catheter: Urethral and suprapubic. For the suprapubic option, the doctor should install it through a small hole made below the belly button. - The Coloplast catheter is an intermittent catheter designed for one use. It contains a container for the liquid, and its materials make it easy to auto-catheterize. This design is for people who may need the procedure infrequently.
Intermittent and indwelling catheters serve the same purpose, but their usage depends on the patient’s condition and needs. Both types of catheters have different constructions for men and women to adapt to the patient’s body.
Steerable catheter
The steerable catheter is a mechanical device that physician’s control remotely, revolutionizing multiple procedures and medical specialties with non-invasive surgery.
It can enter intricate body parts without producing excessive injury, enabling cardiologists to assess vein or artery blockages and eliminate the clogging material.
Several varieties of steerable or deflectable catheters include:
- Guiding catheter. It enters the body and provides a route for the other tubes to enter the body. Its construction provides tools for manipulating wires to guide medical procedures.
- Diagnostic catheter. It counts on a camera to provide images and establish a diagnostic with visual information.
- Dilation catheter (balloons). Equipped with an inflatable balloon to generate expected reactions in the intended tissue or organ.
These catheter varieties have developed since their invention in the 1970s, and the technology is now more precise and effective. Steerable catheters have applications in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurovascular, and ophthalmological fields.
Other catheter types
Catheters manufacturers
Catheters are essential tools in medical practice, and manufacturers must supply catheters that meet the specific medical specialties’ needs. To achieve this, manufacturers should use various materials and comply with reliable designs.
At Seisa Medical, we offer a specialist team that covers the design and technical aspects of creating catheters. Our offered catheters have reinforced structures and precise, remote-controlled steering mechanisms, making them highly maneuverable. We use materials to design specifically steerable or deflectable catheters.
We offer a diverse selection of catheter configurations tailored to meet the unique needs of our valued users:
- Braid and coil-reinforced catheters with radio-opaque marker bands provide precise and reliable performance.
- Thin wall construction with an ultra-low profile of 0.0045″, enabling more accessible access to challenging anatomical locations.
- A wide selection of specialized catheters, including micro-catheters, guiding catheters, EP catheters, PTCA balloon catheters, and delivery catheters cover a broad range of clinical applications.
- Balloon-forming capabilities to meet your specific needs.
- Multiple durometers and braided layers for superior torque and kink resistance, ensuring maximum control and flexibility during procedures.
- Multiple lumens braided tubing for multiple functions, providing versatility and convenience.
- Steerable or deflectable catheters for precise maneuverability in challenging anatomies.
- Complex liner and braided wire termination to meet your most complex requirements.
- PTFE/FEP/Pebax/Nylon/Polyimide lined inner lumen for added durability and performance.
- Traumatically tipped catheters for optimal patient comfort and safety.
- Customized solutions tailored to your needs because we understand that every patient is unique.
Catheter solutions face medical complications
Catheter-related complications can pose challenges in medical procedures, including urinary tract infections, injury to surrounding tissue, and catheter obstruction. Although catheters are a standard tool in medical practice, choosing the suitable materials and diameter for the procedures may avoid complications.
Seisa Medical offers a range of specialized steerable and deflectable catheters to help medical professionals perform minimally invasive procedures more effectively. Our team is open to communication and customizing our products to your specifications. Contact us today, and let us handle your medical components manufacturing.
Catheter Solutions FAQ
Q. What materials are used in catheter construction, and how do they impact device performance?
A. Catheters can be constructed from various materials, such as flexible polymers, hydrophilic coatings, and hypoallergenic compounds. The material selection impacts the device’s performance, including flexibility, lubricity, and biocompatibility. For instance, hydrophilic coatings can make catheters easier to insert and remove from the body because of their slippery surface, while hypoallergenic compounds reduce patients’ risk of allergic reactions.
Q. What distinguishes intermittent from indwelling catheters, and how do they serve distinct purposes?
A. Intermittent catheters are utilized for short-term bladder drainage and are inserted and removed daily. Conversely, indwelling catheters contain a balloon at the end that retains them in place and can be used for more extended periods ranging from days to months. They serve different objectives depending on the patient’s needs and condition.
Q. How are catheters tailored to meet the specific demands of various medical procedures and specialties?
A. Catheters are tailored to meet the specific requirements of every medical procedure and specialty, such as the materials used, size, shape, and catheter functionality, among other factors. Specialized teams of designers and manufacturers collaborate to develop and produce catheters that meet the distinct requirements of each medical procedure.
Q. How is compliance with industry regulations and standards ensured during catheter production?
A. Adherence to relevant regulations and guidelines, such as those established by the FDA and ISO, and rigorous quality control processes guarantee compliance with industry standards and regulations during catheter production. Seisa Medical performs regular quality controls throughout the entire production process, from the selection of raw materials to the inspection of the finished product, to ensure that the catheters meet the necessary standards and are safe for patient use.