A catheter plug, more accurately called a catheter valve, works by providing a tap-like mechanism to control the flow of urine from a urethral or suprapubic catheter. Instead of continuous drainage into a bag, the valve allows urine to collect in the bladder until the user is ready to empty it, either into a toilet or a drainage bag.
Here's a breakdown of how it functions:
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Attachment: The catheter valve attaches to the end of the catheter that extends outside the body. It provides a secure and leak-proof connection.
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Closed Position (Default): Typically, the valve remains in the closed position. This allows the bladder to fill naturally. This is important for maintaining bladder tone and capacity.
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Opening the Valve: When the user feels the urge to urinate (or at scheduled intervals), they manually open the valve. This allows the accumulated urine to drain out.
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Drainage: The urine can be drained directly into the toilet or into a drainage bag, depending on the user's needs and mobility.
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Closing the Valve: After the bladder is emptied, the valve is closed again, restarting the cycle of bladder filling.
In summary, a catheter valve allows for intermittent drainage of the bladder, mimicking a more natural urination pattern compared to continuous drainage into a bag.
