Coudé Tip Catheters
What are Coudé Tip Catheters?
Catheters are sterile tubes inserted through your urethra to drain urine from the bladder. The “tip” of a catheter is the rounded end of the catheter which can be inserted into the body with minimal trauma to tissue.
There are different types of catheter tips, and a coudé tip is a curved insertion tip that is used as opposed to a straight tip. Coudé is pronounced coo-day, meaning “bent like an elbow”, for the curved shape of the tip. The curved angled insertion of the coudé tip is preferable for certain patients for several reasons, mainly because straight tip catheters don’t work for every single patient’s anatomy and needs.
Why Use a Coudé Tip Catheter?
If you’re trying to figure out whether you should be using a straight or coudé tip, consider the following factors. If you’re feeling discomfort, friction, or irritation with catheter insertion, a coudé tip can help to alleviate those problems. Coudé tips are used for patients with urethral strictures, enlarged prostates, false passages in the urethra, and other medical conditions. Coudé tips are most often used by men and children because they are compatible with their anatomical features, but can be used by anyone who feels discomfort with a straight tip catheter. If you think a coudé tip might be preferable to a straight tip for your catheter needs, contact your doctor and consult with them about your options.
Types of Coudé Tips
There are three different types of coudé tips – the tapered tip, the ball/olive oil tip, and the tiemann tip.
- Tapered Tip Catheter: This is the most common and frequently used type of coudé tip, and is ideal for patients with urethral strictures or enlarged prostates.
- Ball / Olive Oil Tip Catheter: This is a less common option of coudé tip, frequently used by patients with false urethral passages.
- Tiemann Tip Catheter: This type of coudé tip is the most flexible and features a longer curve that can be ideal for patients with narrow urethral passages.
