Editor: What To Know
- The FLUME catheter is distinguished by an alternative balloon configuration, designed to envelop the tip of the catheter upon inflation and, thereby, allow the emptying bladder to come into contact with the compliant balloon rather than a rigid catheter tip.
- (TFCC), a medical device company dedicated to developing an improved alternative to the Foley indwelling urinary catheter, announced the launch of a study to gather real-world data on patient experiences with the new FLUME catheter.
- Participants will provide their feedback before and after using the FLUME catheter for up to 30 days, which will allow researchers to assess patients' perceptions around comfort and quality of life factors with their traditional catheters and with the new FLUME catheter.
The Flume Catheter Company Ltd. (TFCC), a medical device company dedicated to developing an improved alternative to the Foley indwelling urinary catheter, announced the launch of a study to gather real-world data on patient experiences with the new FLUME catheter.
The FLUME catheter, which received clearance in November 2021 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is designed to address some of the triggers that can negatively impact patients’ comfort and quality of life.
The FLUME catheter is distinguished by an alternative balloon configuration, designed to envelop the tip of the catheter upon inflation and, thereby, allow the emptying bladder to come into contact with the compliant balloon rather than a rigid catheter tip. The drainage holes are inset low in the balloon, designed to enhance bladder drainage as well as guard against bladder mucosa being drawn into the drainage holes.
Researchers at Duke Clinical Research Institute and Penn State College of Medicine have formed a strategic partnership to conduct the study and obtain first-hand information from patients with indwelling catheters. Participants will provide their feedback before and after using the FLUME catheter for up to 30 days, which will allow researchers to assess patients’ perceptions around comfort and quality of life factors with their traditional catheters and with the new FLUME catheter.
“The innovative FLUME design eliminates the exposed catheter tip, which has been a feature of nearly all urethral catheters since Dr. Foley’s original model in the 1930’s,” said Charles Scales, M.D., FLUME Catheter Comfort Study Principal Investigator, and associate professor of Surgery in the Division of Urology at Duke University School of Medicine. “We know that around 50% of patients report discomfort, and we are excited to partner with FLUME to evaluate patient comfort among people who need catheters to empty their bladders. This could be game-changer for these patients.”
The new study will help researchers learn more about whether the FLUME catheter may improve patients’ perceptions around comfort and quality of life. The study is taking place at the Penn State Health Urology clinic on the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus and will last for approximately six months. Patients who are 18 years of age or older and have used an indwelling catheter for at least three months may be able to participate.
“We are delighted to be embarking on this study to measure the impact of the FLUME design on patients’ comfort and quality of life”, said Dr. John Havard, Chairman and Chief Medical Officer, TFCC. “Our goal–and the inspiration behind the FLUME catheter–is to transform the lives of the 100 million patients worldwide who rely on indwelling urinary catheters. We expect to gain valuable insights from this study.”
For more information about the study, contact Mike Klemick with Penn State Health at mklemick@pennstatehealth.psu.edu. To read more about the FLUME catheter design, go to www.flumecatheter.com.
