Study: Ur24Technology’s Active Extenal Catheter Is ‘Highly Effective’ at Emptying the Bladder

A prospective blinded evaluation of Ur24 Technology Inc.’s active external catheter system concluded it is “highly effective” at removing urine from the bladder without injuring tissue. The device also received high patient ratings for comfort and ease of use.
 
The study involved 21 male and 20 female adult patients between the ages of 20 to 82 who used the TrueClr catheter system in both inpatient and outpatient settings over a one- to two-week period and included assessments of urinary collection, skin condition, comfort level, duration of use and ease of use. The authors used National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) pressure injury stages and verified skin monitoring assessments to evaluate each patient. The authors also used photo reviews of randomized, blinded examples of skin where TrueClr was applied, as well as two independent reviews of randomized photos and Registered Nurse skin assessments.

Study authors are Christine Meliones, advanced care provider coordinator, Children’s Heart Institute, Children’s Memorial Herman Hospital, UT Health; Jon Meliones, M.D., professor of Pediatrics, executive co-director Children’s Heart Institute, division chief of Cardiac Critical Care and Cardiology, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, UT Health; and Tyler Cutting.
 
“The Ur24 TrueClr catheter was proven to be highly effective as an active external catheter capable of removing a significant amount of urine from the bladder without tissue injury,” the study stated. Patient survey data collected in all five categories demonstrated “significant satisfaction” with TrueClr:
 

• All patients (100%) reported no skin irritation
• All patients (100%) agreed the catheter was intuitive to use
• Eighty-six percent of patients agreed it was comfortable to wear
• Seventy percent of patients strongly agreed and 30% agreed it was easy to use
• All patients (100%) would recommend TrueClr to others with similar clinical symptoms 

“This study documents the effectiveness of the TrueClr catheter, showing strong results for patients—including three perfect scores in areas of patient satisfaction,” Ur24Technology Vice President of Sales Pierre Suarez said. “TrueClr is designed to eliminate the estimated 500,000 or more catheter-associated urinary tract infections that occur annually in U.S. acute care hospitals and nursing homes. These infections drive patient discomfort and healthcare costs and prolong patient lengths of stay. By removing the internal catheter, you remove the chance of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection. The study’s recommendations conclude that TrueClr has demonstrated it can successfully be used in a variety of clinical situations where either external catheters or indwelling catheters are currently used. We recommend considering the use of TrueClr in both the inpatient and outpatient settings where external or internal catheters are currently being used.”

U.S. data shows that internal catheters are associated with 80% of hospital-related urinary tract infections, which cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $6.2 billion annually. Nearly 13,000 deaths annually are related to internal catheters.
 
Ur24 Technology has a strategic partnership with Miami-based DemeTECH Corp. to manufacture and distribute TrueClr products in the United States and internationally, using its distribution network in 132 countries.

Ur24Technology Inc. is a privately held medical device company located in Southern California that was founded in 2016. Five different external catheter prototypes were researched, designed, and developed, leading to the TrueClr external catheter range of products. 

DemeTECH is a leader in surgical sutures, mesh, and bone wax. All DemeTECH’s products are made in the United States with American materials.