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In medicine, a catheter (/ˈkæθətər/)^[1] is a thin tube made from medical grade materials serving a broad range of functions. Catheters are medical devices that can be inserted in the body to treat diseases or perform a surgical procedure. Catheters are manufactured for specific applications, such as cardiovascular, urological, gastrointestinal, neurovascular and ophthalmic procedures. The process of inserting a catheter is catheterization.

In most uses, a catheter is a thin, flexible tube (soft catheter) though catheters are available in varying levels of stiffness depending on the application. A catheter left inside the body, either temporarily or permanently, may be referred to as an "indwelling catheter" (for example, a peripherally inserted central catheter). A permanently inserted catheter may be referred to as a "permcath" (originally a trademark).

Catheters can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel, brain, skin or adipose tissue. Functionally, they allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, access by surgical instruments, and also perform a wide variety of other tasks depending on the type of catheter.^[2] Special types of catheters, also called probes, are used in preclinical or clinical research for sampling of lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds,^[3] protein-bound and unbound drugs,^[4][5] neurotransmitters, peptides and proteins, antibodies,^[6][7][8] nanoparticles and nanocarriers, enzymes and vesicles.

Etymology[edit]

"Catheter" (from Greek καθετήρ kathetḗr) come

A nasogastric tube is used for feeding and administering drugs and other oral agents such as activated charcoal. For drugs and for minimal quantities of liquid, a syringe is used for injection into the tube. For continuous feeding, a gravity based system is employed, with the solution placed higher than the patient's stomach. If accrued supervision is required for the feeding, the tube is often connected to an electronic pump which can control and measure the patient's intake and signal any interruption in the feeding. Nasogastric tubes may also be used as an aid in the treatment of life-threatening eating disorders, especially if the patient is not compliant with eating. In such cases, a nasogastric tube may be inserted by force for feeding against the patient's will under restraint.^[2] Such a practice may be highly distressing for both patients and healthcare staff.^[2]

Epistaxis Balloon Catheter

The Epistaxis Balloon Catheter is a medical device designed to control intra-nasal bleeding and provide patient comfort. It is ideal for nasal packing during procedures such as septoplasty, rhinoplasty, and other intra-nasal surgeries. The catheter features a double balloon design, with each balloon independently inflatable to apply uniform pressure to the bleeding site. The posterior tip is beveled and made of soft silicone for easy placement and removal, and an airway channel facilitates nasal breathing. The device is intended for short-term use, up to 29 days, and is supplied sterile in boxes of 10, sterilized by ETO gas. It is a single-use product.

Another similar device is the Epistax™ Balloon Catheter, which also features two independently inflatable silicone balloons. The smaller balloon, marked “10cc,” manages posterior nasal bleeding, while the larger balloon, marked “30cc,” manages anterior nasal bleeding. This catheter is made from soft, medical-grade silicone and is available in two lengths: 97mm and 120mm, with or without a syringe. It is also a single-use, sterile product designed for managing internal nasal bleeding.