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Dr. Andre A. Kulisz
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Autocath® 100 -- Nonsurgical, Intraurethral Bladder Control Device for Urinary Incontinent* and Urinary Retentive Women -- Another Dr. Kulisz's Development
*Selected patients with Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency. (Not available in the United States.)
| For additional information on Autocath 100 check the following third-party links: |
http://www.advanceforpac.com/pastarticles/oct30_00feature4.html http://www.mtdesk.com/a.shtml#Autocath100, http://www.obgyn.net/english/pubs/announcements/hkmt_1231.htm, http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/1997/07/21/focus2.html, |
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A sample of the Autocath® 100 intraurethral bladder control device for selected women with incontinence or retention. The cylindrical body of the device contains a highly proprietary pressure/flow-sensitive valve, the top (proximal end of the device) contains the upper retention element (X-shaped), the bottom (distal end) is terminated with the ring of the lower retention element. The upper retention element dwells on the bladder floor, away from the trigon, the lower retention element is attached to the distal end and is directly adjacent to meatus. |
Autocath 100 is an example of a new-generation of minimally invasive devices/artificial organs developed for growing populations with various diseases and dysfunctions. Specifically, the Autocath 100 has been developed for the severe female Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) also called Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency (ISD). The device and the treatment method offer medical and economic benefits not seen before in the treatment and management of patients with ISD and retention.
The Autocath 100 is approved in the countries of the European Union and carries the CE mark. The device is in the pivotal trials in the U.S. and reimbursement trials in Sweden.
It is noteworthy that there were no accidents with the device of any kind that could negatively affect the health and well being of patients.
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Autocath 100 in situ. |
The application of the device is simple and not very different from the procedure of cystoscopy or catheterization. The device insertion takes just a few minutes by a trained physician, and in some countries it is considered that it can be done by a trained medical technician or a nurse once the patient is diagnosed.
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Autocath 100 after insertion. Distal (lower) retention element visible outside the urethra. |
Patient can use the device immediately after the insertion, and should the additional adjustments be needed, they can be done with the device in situ. (The device is fully adjustable and can be set for the specific patient in the patient.) If the patient or doctor finds that the device does not benefit the patient, the device can be pulled from the urethra eliminating any need for a surgery, thus eliminating any liability of the health care provider and payments that insurance funds endure for revising surgeries.
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Autocath 100 French size 22, lengths 32, 37, and 42 millimeters. |
The Autocath 100 operates of the two basic physical parameters specific to the patient voiding process. These are the bladder pressure and the urine flow.
To open the device, patient needs to contract muscles of the lower abdomen for two to four seconds. The contraction elevates the bladder pressure to the pressure point to which the device is set. It is important for the valve in the device to distinguish between the purposeful contraction and the contraction caused by coughing or sneezing. (The device does not open of coughing or sneezing.) Once the Autocath opens, patient may relax, but the device will stay open until voiding is completed and the bladder is empty. There are no remote controls involved in the operation of this device.
Dr. Kulisz does not offer personal consultations specifically pertaining to the Autocath 100 device.