Reusable catheter for long-term sterile intermittent catheterization.

A new resterilizable, low cost, and convenient catheter for long-term sterile intermittent catheterization of the neurogenic bladder is described. Average self-catheterization time is 2 minutes. It can be performed successfully in a wheelchair. Estimated average cost per catheterization is 10 to 20 cents. The reduced cost and greater convenience of the Wu Reusable Catheter make sterile long-term intermittent catheterization feasible for spinal cord injured patients. This should lead to reduction of urologic morbidity encountered with indwelling and external catheterization.