Why Choose Bardex™ Lubricath™ Foley Catheter

The Lubricath™ hydrogel coating activates upon contact with bodily fluids to create a smooth, lubricious surface that minimizes friction during insertion, throughout the catheterization period, and during removal. This specialized coating also helps resist mineral encrustation that commonly forms on catheter surfaces during extended wear—potentially reducing complications and improving patient comfort. The 12-count box provides convenient facility stocking for one of the most commonly used catheter configurations in adult care.

Key Features & Benefits

Lubricath™ Hydrogel Coating:

• Transforms into a smooth, low-friction surface when hydrated by bodily fluids
• Reduces mechanical trauma to urethral tissue during insertion and removal
• Helps resist mineral buildup (encrustation) that can obstruct drainage or cause tissue irritation
• Maintains surface lubricity throughout the indwelling period
• May improve patient comfort during catheter movement or repositioning

14 French Standard Sizing:

• One of the most frequently used adult catheter sizes (4.7mm diameter)
• Provides adequate drainage flow while minimizing patient discomfort
• Suitable for routine catheterization in both male and female adult patients
• Green color-coded funnel enables rapid size identification in clinical settings

Symmetrical 5cc Balloon:

• Standard retention balloon for routine adult indwelling catheterization
• Symmetrical inflation pattern ensures centered positioning in the bladder
• Reduces risk of balloon migration or pressure against bladder neck
• Inflates with exactly 5cc sterile water (never use saline)

Large, Smooth Drainage Eyes:

• Polished eyelets promote consistent, unobstructed urine flow
• Multiple drainage openings reduce blockage risk
• Strategic eyelet positioning maintains patency even if one opening becomes occluded

Radiopaque Construction:

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

Box of 12 Packaging:

• Convenient facility stocking for high-use catheter size
• Approximately 1-2 weeks supply for acute care units
• Individually sterile-wrapped for infection control
• Reduces reordering frequency for busy departments

Clinical Applications

Appropriate For:

• Routine indwelling urinary drainage in hospitalized patients
• Post-operative bladder decompression and urine output monitoring
• Acute urinary retention requiring continuous drainage
• Patients needing accurate measurement of urine output
• Short-term (days) to intermediate-term (2-4 weeks) catheterization

Healthcare Professional Use Only: Prescription medical device for use by trained clinical personnel.

Understanding Lubricath™ Hydrogel Technology

Hydrogel coatings function by absorbing moisture from body fluids and forming a slippery, gel-like layer on the catheter surface. This technology delivers several clinical advantages:

Reduced Urethral Trauma: The hydrated coating creates a low-friction barrier between the catheter and delicate urethral tissue, minimizing mechanical irritation during insertion and while the catheter is in place.

Encrustation Resistance: Mineral deposits—primarily calcium and magnesium salts from urine—can accumulate on catheter surfaces during extended use, potentially causing drainage blockages and tissue irritation. The hydrogel coating helps resist this crystalline buildup, maintaining smoother surfaces and better flow.

Movement Tolerance: The lubricious surface allows slight catheter movement during patient repositioning without causing urethral discomfort or trauma.

2-Way Foley Design

This catheter features a 2-way design with two internal channels:

• Drainage lumen: Allows urine to flow continuously from the bladder through the catheter into the collection system
• Balloon inflation lumen: Used to inflate and deflate the retention balloon with sterile water

2-way Foley catheters are the standard for routine urinary drainage. (3-way catheters include an additional irrigation channel for continuous bladder irrigation procedures.)

14 Fr Sizing Context

The French (Fr) scale measures catheter diameter: 1 French = approximately 0.33mm.

14 Fr = 4.7mm outer diameter

• Most common size for routine adult catheterization
• Balances adequate drainage capacity with patient comfort
• Smaller than 16-18 Fr sizes (used for rapid drainage or post-surgical applications)
• Larger than 12 Fr (sometimes selected for pediatric patients or very small adults)

The green color-coded funnel allows instant size verification without reading package labels.

⚠ 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:

• Bard Biocath™ Foley catheters (hydrogel-coated, latex-free silicone)
• 100% silicone Foley catheters
• Other synthetic catheter materials clearly labeled latex-free

Always verify patient latex allergy status before catheter insertion.

Usage & Application

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 until urine flows freely, then advance an additional 1-2 inches
5. Inflate balloon with exactly 5cc sterile water using syringe (never use saline, which can crystallize)
6. Gently retract catheter until balloon seats snugly against bladder neck
7. Connect immediately to sterile, closed urinary drainage system
8. Secure catheter to inner thigh or lower abdomen per facility protocol to prevent tension or traction injuries

Maintenance Protocols:

• Maintain closed drainage system integrity at all times
• Position collection bag below bladder level to prevent urine backflow
• Empty drainage bag when ⅓ to ½ full or per facility schedule
• Monitor for signs of urinary tract infection, catheter obstruction, or bladder spasms
• Document urine volume, color, clarity, odor, and any sediment or abnormalities

Catheter Removal:

1. Deflate balloon completely by withdrawing all 5cc of sterile water using syringe
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 catheter removal

When to Replace:

• Per facility catheterization protocols or physician order
• If drainage becomes obstructed despite irrigation attempts
• If signs of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) develop
• If catheter integrity is compromised (visible cracks, balloon leaks, lumen obstruction)
• If patient experiences persistent discomfort or bladder spasms despite interventions

Product Specifications

• Type: Indwelling urinary catheter (Foley), 2-way
• Size: 14 French (Fr)
• Length: ~40 cm (standard adult length)
• Balloon Capacity: 5 cc (inflate with sterile water only)
• Coating: Lubricath™ hydrogel coating
• Material: Natural rubber latex with hydrogel coating
• Drainage Eyes: Large, smooth, polished eyelets
• Funnel: Color-coded green (14 Fr standard)
• Radiopacity: Yes (visible under X-ray/fluoroscopy)
• Sterility: Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilized, single-use only
• Latex Status: ⚠ CONTAINS natural rubber latex
• Packaging: Box of 12 (each catheter individually sterile-wrapped)
• Manufacturer: Bard (BD)
• Product Line: Bardex™ Lubricath™