The most popular type of urinary catheter is the sterile, flexible, thin tube known as the Foley catheter. Latex or silicone are used in their production. In addition to urinary incontinence and other acute and chronic disorders, Foley catheters are used to drain urine from patients who have limited mobility or are immobile as well as those who have urinary incontinence. Depending on the patient's needs and condition, these devices are favored for both shorter and longer times. There are various varieties of Foley Catheters as well as two-way and three-way catheters. They are utilized in short-term management and monitoring of urine outflow during post-operative recovery and surgery in acute care facilities. Foleys feature a little balloon at the end that is filled with water and put into the bladder via the urethra in order to prevent the tube from escaping the body.
Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent used in a number of health care products. It is also found in a number of consumer products, such as hand soap and personal baths. Despite its widespread use, no clinically significant effects on antibiotic resistance have been identified. This may be due to the fact that triclosan's MICs range from as low as 0.2 mg/liter to as high as 80 mg/liter. In order to determine the effect of triclosan on the urinary flora, the authors performed a study using the laboratory model of the bladder. The model consists of a glass chamber maintained at 37degC by a water jacket. An all-silicon catheter was inserted into the chamber through the outlet at the base of the bladder. Urine was supplied to the models until they became blocked. After blocking, catheters were removed and analyzed for calcium and magnesium. Using these parameters, the rate of encrustation was calculated for both the control and test catheters.
