The FLUME® catheter has the same basic insertion and removal technique as a standard Foley catheter, but it is distinguished by:
- its distinctive baloon tht envelops the catheter tip upon inflation
- drainage holes that are inset and protected below the baloon

The video below demonstrates how the FLUME balloon inflates compared to that of the Foley catheter.

Tapered form for insertion

The soft balloon material is folded over a tapered tip both to give a good profile for insertion and to leave the drainage ports clear.

No learning curve for Foley catheter users

The FLUME catheter is intentionally designed to be familiar in configuration and operation to a Foley catheter. The FLUME catheter is formed with a dual lumen tube (A). The catheter is advanced through the urethra or a suprapubic channel until the tip is located in the bladder, indicated by urine commencing to flow through the drainage funnel (B) to which a drainage bag can be connected. A pre-filled syringe is connected to the luer valve (C) and used to inflate the retention balloon (D). For removal, a syringe is attached to the luer valve and used to deflate the balloon.

On placement, FLUME is correctly located in bladder once urine flows

The catheter balloon and drainage ports are co-located in the FLUME design. This means that as the catheter is advanced on placement, once urine starts to drain out of the catheter then the FLUME is correctly located in the bladder. It is then safe to inflate the balloon.

Clinical practices on placement for Foley catheters can be either to advance until urine flows and then another inch or more, or to advance to the ‘hilt’. Either method is also safe for the FLUME catheter and consistent with no change or learning curve required.