CompactCath launched its intermittent urinary catheter on Monday that addresses some problems patients have while self-catheterizing during their daily routines. The catheter was FDA-cleared in 2014.
Intermittent catheterization is used in patients who need short- or long-term bladder management, such as those with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or bladder obstruction from an enlarged prostate. It can be done in a hospital or at home.
“One of the problems with the current medical system is that solutions are designed for the hospital and not for people’s everyday life,” said Dr. William Kennedy, chief of pediatric urology at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford, in a statement issued when the FDA cleared the device. “The innovation is fantastic because it not only preserves the privacy for the patient, but can also improve infection control."
The company touts the discreet nature of the CompactCath device: small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, the catheter comes pre-lubricated, includes a sleeve for more hygienic insertion and comes in opaque packaging for privacy, according to a statement. It also has a drainage control mechanism.
The catheter is designed to improve the self-catheterization experience for patients who find it inconvenient or may feel self-conscious about it, the company said. By reducing catheter size, noisy packaging and the risk of mess, Palo Alto, CA-based CompactCath aims to address infrequent usage of catheters, which can lead to infection and other complications.
“We look forward to helping catheter users take back control of their lives without missing a step,” said CompactCath CEO Naama Stauber Breckler, in the statement. “Through our samples program, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from hundreds of catheter users, most of whom have been waiting for such improvements for a long time, so we cannot wait to make CompactCath available to all catheter users in the next few months.”
The catheter is available in a range of sizes for use by women, men and children, and will be reimbursed through insurance carriers and Medicare, according to the statement.