Catheter, nephrostomy

Intended purpose

Nephrostomy catheter intended to be inserted percutaneously into the renal pelvis to gain access to the upper urinary tract. This device consists of a large bore (sizes from 14 to 24 Fr are typical) thin-walled tube usually with a self-retained tip; it sometimes has expanding wings on its tip. This device is used to perform drainage for relief of supravesical obstructions and also for a variety of procedures of the upper urinary tract, e.g. dilation of strictures, removal of calculi, perfusion with chemolytic agents for dissolution of renal stones or ureteral stenting.