Obstetrical urinary catheter

Abstract

The invention provides an improved indwelling urinary catheter of the inflatable type having a unique, low profile device by which to retain the catheter within the bladder, so that urine can be removed therefrom while avoiding obstruction to the descending fetal vertex during the process of labor and delivery. Thus, making it better suited for obstetrical applications. The retaining device consumes less obstructing volume in the bladder than that which would ordinarily be consumed by a conventional Foley-style balloon, whereby both the frequency and severity of fetal vertex obstruction and its resulting increased time of labor, operative delivery and injury to maternal urologic tissue can be reduced. The obstetrical foley retains the tradition Foley-style balloon distal to the improved low-profile laboring balloon for insufflation in the event a surgical delivery by cesarean section is indicated. The traditional balloon with its larger volume allows easy identification of the bladder during surgical delivery. This unique design allows the added advantage of multiple options and uses in a single foley catheter without the need of changing catheters.