Can We Build a Better Urinary Catheter?

Abstract

The urinary catheter is an essential part of medical care. It is widely used to provide temporary relief of anatomical or physiologic obstruction, to facilitate surgical repair of the urethra and surrounding structures, to provide a dry environment for the comatose or incontinent patient, and to permit accurate measurement of urinary output in severely ill patients. Unfortunately, when used inappropriately or left in place too long, it may present a hazard to the very patients it is designed to protect. It is the leading cause of nosocomial urinary infections and the most common predisposing factor for preventable, gram-negative sepsis in . . .