Abstract: A urethral catheter comprising a tube having openings at both ends and at least a portion of the tube having a flexural wall formation permitting compliance of the wall with the urethral shape in use. Longitudinal flexion in the oval-shaped tube is reduced optionally by incorporating a thickened wall portion extending along the catheter about the minor axis thereof, and/or flexural compliance in the lateral direction is reduced optionally by providing a thickened wall portion about the major axis. The catheter is suitable for male patients, and the wall formation can be selected for satisfactory performance under a number of different conditions.

Abstract: A urethral catheter comprising a tube for insertion into the bladder and having an inlet (17) for the drainage of urine via the tube, and a wall portion (18) having reduced thickness and increased flexural properties such that this wall portion (18) will undergo substantially complete collapse under normal urethral pressure thus to comply with the irregular and slit-like lumen (11) but permit adequate distension for normal drainage.