SWet

In the ongoing quest to improve the catheter experience I’ve come up with this esthetic change. The closure of the open end of the catheter and balloon fill tube can be accomplished with this design. Using bronze wire & round stock (your local craft store has this), a bit of silver solder and a screw cap (hardware store) you can create an end closure to the catheter. The images show the very simple design. The catheter balloon plug\wire should be oversize, as there is considerable pressure from the inflated balloon. When using this cap the catheter will need to be pinched closed to ensure the balloon stays inflated when making the cut to remove the “Y” section. The wire portion that plugs the balloon fill line is slightly longer to allow this line to be closed first before the drain line is closed, much easier than trying to do both at once. One concern with this design is that there is nothing to stop the catheter from migrating towards the bladder. While I haven’t experienced this to any degree it might be a thought to sew a string to the catheter body for retrieval if this should occur. So if you have some simple tools this seems like a fun project for a rainy\snowy day.

Concerns have been expressed about the urine captured between the crimped end of the catheter and the bypass hole punched in the catheter that it could be a breeding ground for bacteria leading to a UTI. Here is an idea, why not plug the catheter drainage tube away from the bladder? Using a biologically inert material of the appropriate diameter inserted through the punched\cut hole in the catheter. This can be done at the time the hole is created thus compromising the sterile field as little as possible. All materials used in this procedure should be as close too sterile as possible. You would still need to use some method to close the balloon fill tube after cutting the catheter, so crimping or plugging the small tube will be necessary. The catheter balloon fill tube and the ability of urine to flow around the tube after insertion of the plug are considerations. If the plug is of too large a diameter in might interfere with the flow of urine around the catheter. The balloon fill tube could be constricted and it might be impossible to deflate the balloon. I tested for these conditions and found that a plug of the appropriate size did not cause any problems. Note, the plug diameter will vary based on the french diameter of the catheter. Another concern with this technique is that if you need to initiate urine flow through the catheter you won’t be able to, you would have to remove the catheter. Any thoughts, concerns or comments would be appreciated.

I'm a bit embarrassed to show this because this is not very refined, but I didn't want to put to much effort into this first attempt. This is more proof of concept, than a working design. It should be noted that the end of the catheter was open. To take advantage of the hole in the catheter tube just past the prostate one would need to fit a plug to close off the end, but my problem was that this might restrict the ability to remove the balloon drain plug. Maybe pushing a plug further down the catheter tube so as not to put pressure on the balloon drain tube? So consider this a work in progress for the moment.

EXPERIMENT Warnings: This is my experiment - do not attempt this at home. Use of silicone catheter would likely result in an embarrassing trip to the ER. I planned my story ahead of time - this could be extremely hard to explain and then realized there is no real way to explain this away, just tell the truth. Objective: To eliminate catheter tubing in diaper. Method: Using modified catheter (not for this experiment) cut just beyond urethra opening with retracted penis using thread to recover catheter and drain catheter balloon. Materials: Latex catheter Hemostat – locking clamp Jewelers pliers Upholstery thread Upholstery needle Plug for catheter balloon fill tube (small tube) this was fabricated. Procedure: Materials other than the catheter were cleaned using alcohol. This does not create a sterile environment, but the area where they will be used is not usually considered sterile and should be flushed with urine being expelled from the bladder. Insert Foley catheter following normal sterile procedure. For this experiment a non-modified catheter was used. With catheter in place retract penis exposing as much of the catheter tube as you can. Clamp hemostat as near to urethral opening as possible. Test to ensure that catheter balloon is not leaking. The catheter was then cut approximately 3\4 inch from hemostat away from the penis end. A fabricated plug was then inserted into the balloon fill line that had a loop for attachment to upholstery thread (this is extremely strong thread you will not be able to break it by hand). This is how the balloon can be deflated so care needs to taken that the plug can be easily removed (I used a bit of silicone lube). The diameter of the plug is about 5 to 8 times that of the balloon tube to ensure the balloon does not deflate unintentionally. Next using an upholstery needle & thread pierce the latex catheter near the hemostat using the jeweler pliers (smooth grip area) being sure to miss the balloon inflation tube leaving 1\2 inch of tube. This could be done twice to ensure a redundancy. Secure the ends of the threads about 6 inches from the catheter with a button. This ensures the catheter can be recovered if it migrates into the bladder. Check all work. Release the hemostat and allow the catheter to migrate into the urethra leaving only the thread exposed. The catheter tube end was now completely inside the penis. Catheter removal was accomplished in this experiment by retracting the penis to the balloon plug, which was removed by hand without the aid of the thread. Upon deflation, the catheter was removed by pulling the thread very gently with no trauma to the urethra even though the edges were squared off. This experiment was very successful, but not without concerns. Failure of the threads seemed unlikely as they were tested on used catheters, but uncertainties remained. This was an experiment and I’m not sure if I will continue in this effort, but the results are very satisfying.

Sargent - US Army Infantry - 173rd Airborne - Vietnam

Having experienced incontinence with this catheter technique about a dozen times now I

Bobbyca was this while using the "holey" catheter? So we have had a little experience with the "holey" catheter now and I was wondering if anyone has come down with a UTI while using this procedure? If so what do you think may have contributed to it? I had hoped that the continuous flushing of the urethra should avoid infection.

It's a leather punch set from Tandy Leather, you can get individual punches as well. I've found that the silicone catheters when cut result in a hole the size of the punch, but that the latex catheters when cut result in a much smaller hole than the punch diameter. I do have to use a hammer to make a clean cut through latex, but it works. I should add that this is a 18 French catheter. I think you might be able to do a 16 but it could be a challenge.

Hey Terryfighter this sounds fantastic, I

Wonderful that you have started this subject InD. There are so many types and variations it

Some of us here have not only looked at the other perspective we have actually experienced it for awhile. For myself this experience has given me a lot of empathy for folk that deal with this on a daily basis. The fantasy is fun, but full time

A few (OK, a lot of) personal observations about the catheter experience so far. The reason I find this so fascinating is how the catheter creates a total dependence on diapers. With the catheter in place you have to wear a diaper, no choice. It is the fantasy of being diaper dependent realized. All my diaper wearing is enjoyable, but my underlying premise is that I NEED to wear them and the catheter validates this. Isn

From the tip of a Foley catheter to the

Thank you, so much for sharing your ideas. Sometimes the simplest things are the most brilliant.

I took the dog for a mile and a half walk. I had to change before the walk because I knew I'd never make it in the diaper I had on. During the walk you can feel the diaper getting wetter by the moment. You have to plan what you do based on diaper capacity. It is the total lack of control that is so intriguing. Fun to play but sure nice to know that you can return to continence when you want to. In terms of posting elsewhere - it's taken all my courage to post here. The people here at Daily Diapers just seem more thoughtful. Loveable_guy - My complements to the OP and Swet on a great job providing us with this information. Thanks, we have an unusual interest so let

I have to agree with Wetman a cut in silicone is more likely to propagate than in latex. I have tested a punch hole 100% silicone catheter with a 5 lb. lead weight without failure. The clean edge of the hole doesn

I’ve recently done a 36 hour and a 24 hr with the hole configured catheter. All I can say is it gives you more sympathy for those that are truly diaper dependant. In 24 hours I went through 2 Abena X Pulses, 1 cloth diaper, 6 Depends with booster. All were totally saturated due to my feelings about the need to be hydrated to avoid UTI. If one is looking to temporarily feel diaper dependant this will do it. I’m still a bit nervous about keeping sterile conditions during the insertion procedure. I take my time during insertion and have experienced little discomfort. I think this is the key to avoiding pain during and after the catheter experience – go slow. One time I know it was 5 minutes at least. The almost continually wet diaper and numerous changes gets a bit tedious at times. The 2 o’clock in the morning change really got old quick. Transitioning from a super-saturated diaper to a fresh one is a new experience with the catheter. You wait, hoping the drips will stop long enough to tape up the dry diaper. I’ve never appreciated a dry diaper so much and been frustrated when 2 minutes later I can feel the new one getting damp and you can't do anything about it(well you can always remove the catheter, but not right away). After 24 hours with the catheter I wanted my continence back! So for me removal was simple, while taking a shower I cut the catheter, let the balloon drain and the catheter just slides out with a few pushes (like urinating). There is a little discomfort urinating the first few times and I am aware of the bladder sphincter (not something you usually feel – not discomfort just know something is different). It’s an experience! Not something I want to do everyday, maybe once every couple of weeks or once a month. Taking all those soaked diapers out to the trash was amazing – felt like they weighed a ton. Ps: InD has a good point about silicone catheters, they seem kind of firm and may cause irritation of the urethra. That's all I've used to date may have to give the latex ones a try.

Okay, here is a picture of the balloon and hole. Note the hole is opposite the small inflation tube that is very tiny and hard to see. This particular catheter has an x-ray opaque stripe running down the drainage side of the catheter so it is very easy to know where to cut the hole.

Glad to hear that it worked for you BabyboyCW. Since ones diaper ends up continuously damp, I was wondering what sort of skin protection or cleaning people use to avoid problems? I use "No Rinse" to clean up and then apply Johnson

First off, I

I

I got this at a leather specialty shop ages ago. Tandy Leather stores are in many major cities or you can mail order. Tandy Leather Factory has a multi punch for about $20 http://www.tandyleat...ls/3004-00.aspx Maxi Punch Set Item #3004-00 Diameters 3/16", 13/64", 7/32", 1/4", 17/64" and 5/16". Set includes six interchangeable tempered-steel tubes and forged steel handle. or single size for $13 http://www.tandyleat...ts/3777-09.aspx

While the punch does not create a rounded edge the low angle of the bevel seems reasonable. The bevel angel is lowest in the insertion and withdrawal direction. Flame burnishing is used to round off glassware, but would likely just light latex or silicone on fire. Short of casting your own catheters I'm out of ideas to smooth out the edges.