Why Choose Bard Lubricath™ Tiemann Foley Catheter

This catheter combines the Tiemann medium-olive coude tip—a more tapered, precise design than standard coude tips for navigating tight or difficult urethral passages—with Lubricath™ hydrogel coating that reduces friction and helps resist encrustation during indwelling use. The 16 French size provides faster drainage flow than smaller catheters while maintaining patient comfort, and the single drainage eye design concentrates flow for reliable drainage while potentially reducing mucosal irritation compared to multi-eye designs. The result is a specialized catheter for challenging catheterization scenarios where anatomical obstacles require both precise guidance and minimal trauma.

Key Features & Benefits

Tiemann Medium-Olive Coude Tip:

• More tapered and elongated than standard coude tips
• Provides finer, more controlled guidance past obstructions
• Medium-olive shape ideal for prostatic enlargement or urethral strictures
• Allows catheter to navigate tighter passages with less force
• Reduces trauma during insertion through difficult anatomy
• Specifically designed for anatomically challenging catheterizations

Lubricath™ Hydrogel Coating:

• Hydrates on contact with bodily fluids to create smooth, lubricious surface
• Reduces urethral friction during insertion and removal
• Helps resist mineral encrustation buildup during indwelling period
• Maintains surface lubricity throughout catheterization
• May improve patient comfort during catheter movement
• More comfortable than uncoated latex catheters

16 French Sizing:

• Larger than 14 Fr, providing faster urine drainage
• 5.3mm outer diameter
• Common hospital standard for adult male catheterization
• Balances drainage efficiency with patient comfort
• Reduces clogging risk with larger lumen
• Orange color-coded funnel for quick size identification

Single Drainage Eye:

• One large eyelet rather than multiple smaller openings
• Concentrates urine flow for reliable drainage
• May reduce mucosal irritation compared to multi-eye designs
• Less surface area contacting urethral tissue
• Adequate for most drainage needs
• Simpler design potentially easier to insert

5cc Balloon:

• Standard balloon size for routine adult catheterization
• Provides secure bladder retention
• Inflates with 5cc sterile water only (never use saline)
• Appropriate size for most adult patients
• Centers catheter in bladder without excessive pressure

Radiopaque Construction:

• Visible under X-ray or fluoroscopy for placement verification
• Useful for confirming proper positioning during difficult insertions
• Helpful in critical care or interventional settings requiring imaging

2-Way Design:

• One lumen for drainage, one for balloon inflation
• Standard configuration for routine urinary drainage
• Simpler than 3-way (irrigation) catheters

Clinical Applications

Ideal For:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):

• Enlarged prostate creating narrowed prostatic urethra
• Primary indication for Tiemann coude tip
• Medium-olive taper navigates through prostatic narrowing
• Reduces force needed for passage

Urethral Strictures:

• Narrowed sections of urethra requiring precise guidance
• Tiemann tip helps navigate through tight areas
• Hydrogel coating reduces friction through restricted passages

Failed Standard Catheterization:

• When straight or standard coude catheters cannot pass
• Tiemann provides more precise, tapered guidance
• Specialist or urologist may use for difficult cases

Post-Prostate Surgery:

• Altered urethral anatomy following TURP or other procedures
• Careful navigation required through healing tissues
• Hydrogel coating gentle on post-surgical tissues

Anatomically Challenging Cases:

• Tortuous (curved) urethra
• False passages from previous catheterization attempts
• Any situation requiring precise, controlled advancement

Typical Duration: Short-term (days) to intermediate-term (2-4 weeks) based on clinical need

Healthcare Professional Use Only: This is a specialized catheter for use by trained medical professionals experienced with difficult catheterizations.

Understanding Tiemann vs. Standard Coude Tips

Tiemann Coude (This Catheter):

• Medium-olive shaped tip (more elongated, tapered)
• More gradually curved and pointed
• Provides finer, more precise guidance
• Better for tighter strictures or severe BPH
• Requires more skill and experience to use
• Used when standard coude is insufficient

Standard Coude:

• Shorter, less tapered curved tip
• Adequate for routine BPH or mild obstructions
• More commonly used
• Easier for general practitioners

Straight Tip:

• No curve
• For normal urethral anatomy without obstructions

When Tiemann is Preferred:

• Standard coude has failed
• Severe prostatic enlargement
• Tight urethral strictures
• Complex urethral anatomy
• Specialist or urologist performing catheterization

Understanding Lubricath™ Hydrogel Technology

How Lubricath™ Works:

The hydrogel coating is applied to the catheter surface and becomes activated when exposed to moisture from bodily fluids:

Dry State: Coating is present but not fully activated

Hydration: Upon contact with moisture, coating absorbs water and transforms into slippery, gel-like layer

Lubricious Surface: Creates low-friction interface between catheter and urethral tissue

Benefits:

• Smoother insertion with less resistance
• Reduced urethral trauma
• More comfortable insertion and removal
• Helps resist encrustation during indwelling period
• May extend catheter life compared to uncoated latex

Single Eye vs. Multi-Eye Design

Single Eye (This Catheter):

• One large drainage opening
• Concentrates urine flow
• Less catheter surface touching urethral mucosa
• May reduce irritation
• Adequate drainage for most situations
• Simpler design

Multi-Eye (Polished Multiple Eyes):

• Several smaller drainage openings
• Redundancy if one eye becomes blocked
• Potentially more drainage capacity
• More surface area contacting tissue

Why Single Eye for Tiemann: The combination of precise Tiemann tip and single eye may provide optimal balance of guided insertion and reliable drainage for difficult anatomies.

16 Fr Sizing Context

16 French = 5.3mm outer diameter

Compared to Other Sizes:

14 Fr (4.7mm) - Smaller:

• More comfortable for some patients
• Adequate flow for routine use
• Standard for many facilities

16 Fr (5.3mm) - This Catheter:

• Faster drainage than 14 Fr
• Reduces clogging risk
• Common hospital standard
• Good balance of flow and comfort

18 Fr (6.0mm) - Larger:

• Maximum drainage capacity
• Used for post-surgical or heavy drainage needs
• May be less comfortable

The orange color-coded funnel allows instant size verification.

⚠ Important Latex Warning

This catheter contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions ranging from mild skin irritation to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis in latex-sensitive individuals.

Do NOT use if the patient has:

• Known latex allergy or sensitivity
• History of allergic reactions to latex products (gloves, balloons, condoms)
• Conditions associated with increased latex sensitivity (spina bifida, multiple surgical procedures, healthcare workers with occupational latex exposure)

For latex-allergic patients, consider latex-free alternatives:

• Silicone Foley catheters
• Other synthetic catheter materials clearly labeled latex-free

Always verify patient latex allergy status before catheter insertion.

Usage & Application

Healthcare Professional Use Only:

Insertion Protocol (Summary):

1. Perform hand hygiene and establish sterile field per facility protocol
2. Cleanse urethral meatus with approved antiseptic solution
3. Apply generous sterile lubricant/anesthetic gel to catheter tip (hydrogel coating enhances but does not replace external lubrication)
4. Insert catheter gently with Tiemann tip curve facing UP (anterior/toward belly)
5. Use steady, controlled pressure—never force
6. Advance slowly, allowing Tiemann tip to navigate past obstructions
7. Insert until urine flows freely, then advance an additional 1-2 inches
8. Inflate balloon with exactly 5cc sterile water using syringe (never use saline)
9. Gently retract catheter until balloon seats against bladder neck
10. Connect to sterile, closed urinary drainage system
11. Secure catheter per facility protocol to prevent traction

Critical for Tiemann Catheters:

• Curve must face UP (anterior) for proper navigation
• Use gentle, steady pressure—never force advancement
• If resistance encountered, stop and reassess (don't push through)
• May require slight rotation to navigate around obstacles
• Specialist training recommended for difficult cases

Maintenance Protocols:

• Maintain closed drainage system integrity
• Position collection bag below bladder level
• Empty drainage bag when ⅓ to ½ full
• Monitor for signs of infection, obstruction, or complications
• Document urine volume, color, clarity, and any abnormalities

Catheter Removal:

1. Deflate balloon completely by withdrawing all 5cc of sterile water
2. Instruct patient to relax pelvic floor muscles
3. Gently withdraw catheter in smooth, continuous motion
4. Monitor patient's ability to void spontaneously after removal

When to Replace:

• Per facility catheterization protocols or physician order
• If drainage becomes obstructed despite intervention
• If signs of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) develop
• If catheter integrity is compromised

Product Specifications

• Type: Indwelling urinary catheter (Foley), 2-way
• Size: 16 French (Fr)
• Length: ~40 cm (standard adult male length)
• Tip: Tiemann coude, medium-olive
• Drainage Eyes: Single eye
• Balloon Capacity: 5 cc (inflate with sterile water only)
• Coating: Lubricath™ hydrogel coating
• Material: Natural rubber latex with hydrogel coating
• Funnel: Color-coded orange (16 Fr standard)
• Radiopacity: Yes (visible under X-ray/fluoroscopy)
• Sterility: Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilized, single-use only
• Latex Status: ⚠ CONTAINS natural rubber latex
• Packaging: Each (individually sterile-wrapped)
• Manufacturer: Bard (BD)
• Product Line: Lubricath™