Urethrotech UCD for difficult or failed catheterisation

The technology described in this briefing is the Urethrotech urethral catheterisation device (UCD). It is designed to be used for difficult or failed catheterisations in men.

The innovative aspect is that it is the only currently available system which integrates a guidewire into a standard Foley catheter.

The intended place in therapy would be instead of cystoscopy and supra-pubic catheterisation methods after standard catheterisation has failed, or when it is difficult (such as in men with an enlarged prostate). The device could potentially be used in any healthcare setting by appropriately trained staff.

The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 2 conference abstracts reporting prospective non-comparative studies including a total of 157 patients in a UK setting. They show that the Urethrotech UCD can be a useful urethral catheterisation method in men, and reported no adverse events.

Key uncertainties are that the evidence base is still developing. Although the available non-comparative studies reported technical success with the device, most men in the studies had the Urethrotech UCD as a first-line catheterisation method. The current studies are available only as abstracts and so they present limited detail.

The cost of the Urethrotech UCD is £198.98 per unit (exclusive of VAT). Training costs are an additional £290.00 per person, which is waived if the clinician subsequently trains others. The resource impact may be less than standard care if the Urethrotech UCD avoids the need for more complex and costly cystoscopy and suprapubic catheterisations as second-line procedures.