B. Braun Uro-Tainer®: Smarter Catheter Maintenance for Long-Term Patient Care
B. Braun Uro-Tainer® Catheter Maintenance Solutions
Long-term urinary catheterisation plays a critical role in patient care across hospitals, aged care facilities, and home settings. However, indwelling catheters are also associated with frequent complications such as infection, blockage, encrustation, discomfort, and premature catheter replacement. Without proper maintenance, these issues can significantly affect patient safety, comfort, and clinical outcomes.
B. Braun Uro-Tainer® Catheter Maintenance Solutions were developed to address these challenges through a structured, clinically driven approach to catheter care—helping healthcare professionals manage common catheter problems safely and effectively.
Why Catheter Maintenance Matters
Indwelling catheters are vulnerable to several well-known complications:
Bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)
Debris build-up from cells, blood, or infection
Calcification and encrustation leading to blockage
Pain, trauma, bypassing, and reduced catheter lifespan
When biofilm, debris, or mineral deposits compromise the catheter lumen, the risk of blockage and infection rises sharply. Proactive catheter maintenance is therefore essential to preserve catheter function and reduce the need for unplanned catheter changes.
What Makes Uro-Tainer® Different?
Uro-Tainer® was developed more than two decades ago as a safer alternative to traditional bladder washouts performed with syringes. Instead of applying pressure, the system uses gravity-based instillation, significantly reducing the risk of bladder trauma, contamination, and patient discomfort.
Key Advantages of the Uro-Tainer® System
Completely closed, sterile system
Gentle, pressure-free delivery
Ready to use without preparation
Reduced risk of contamination
Suitable for clinical and home care use
This design allows for controlled, consistent catheter maintenance while prioritising patient safety.
Understanding the Main Causes of Catheter Blockage
Bacterial Colonisation and Biofilm
Bacteria can attach to the internal catheter surface, forming biofilm that protects microorganisms from flushing and antimicrobial agents. This process increases infection risk and contributes to blockage over time.
Debris Formation
Catheters may become blocked by:
Urothelial cells shed from the bladder wall
Blood following surgery, trauma, or illness
Tumour cells
Infection-related material
Mechanical rinsing is often required to maintain catheter patency when debris is present.
Calcification and Encrustation
Calcification is the most common cause of long-term catheter blockage. Certain bacteria raise urinary pH, creating alkaline conditions that encourage crystal formation. Over time, these crystals harden into encrustations that narrow or completely block the catheter lumen.
The Uro-Tainer® Solution Range Explained
Uro-Tainer® PHMB
Uro-Tainer PHMB is designed to reduce bacterial colonisation within the catheter. It helps remove debris, mucus, and light haematuria while actively reducing bacterial load.
PHMB has been shown to:
Reduce a broad range of bacteria
Prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation
Be well tolerated and suitable for repeated use
Importantly, PHMB is non-toxic, non-irritant, hypoallergenic, and not systemically absorbed, making it appropriate for long-term catheter maintenance when clinically indicated.
Uro-Tainer® Sodium Chloride 0.9%
This isotonic saline solution is used primarily for mechanical cleaning of the catheter. It helps flush out debris and mucus but does not provide antimicrobial or anti-calcification activity.
Sodium chloride rinsing is often used when adequate hydration alone is insufficient to maintain catheter flow.
Uro-Tainer® Twin Suby G
Suby G contains a citric acid solution formulated to prevent and dissolve early calcification and phosphate crystal formation. It is commonly used in patients prone to encrustation and recurrent catheter blockage.
Regular use can help maintain catheter patency and extend catheter lifespan.
Uro-Tainer® Twin Solutio R
Solutio R contains a higher concentration of citric acid and is reserved for stubborn or severe encrustation where milder solutions are ineffective.
Due to its strength, Solutio R is recommended for short-term use only, after which catheter care typically returns to Suby G for ongoing maintenance.
Choosing the Right Uro-Tainer® Approach
Effective catheter care starts with identifying the underlying problem:
Suspected bacterial colonisation: PHMB
Visible debris or mucus: Sodium Chloride 0.9%
Calcification with moderately elevated pH: Suby G
Persistent blockage with high pH: Solutio R
Using the correct solution for the correct indication is essential to avoid unnecessary irritation and ensure optimal outcomes.
Safe and Gentle Instillation
Uro-Tainer® solutions are instilled using an aseptic, gravity-based technique. No pressure is applied during instillation, reducing the risk of bladder mucosal damage. If the patient experiences pain or discomfort, the procedure should be stopped immediately.
Following treatment, a sterile urine drainage bag is reattached to maintain a closed system.
Supporting Better Long-Term Outcomes
By addressing bacterial colonisation, debris, and calcification in a targeted way, Uro-Tainer® supports:
Reduced catheter blockage
Improved patient comfort
Lower risk of infection
Extended catheter lifespan
More predictable catheter care plans
These benefits make Uro-Tainer® a valuable component of long-term catheter management strategies.
Uro-Tainer® Available at Medisa
Medisa supplies a full range of B. Braun Uro-Tainer® Catheter Maintenance Solutions to support healthcare professionals, aged care providers, and home care patients across Australia. Our focus is on providing clinically validated solutions that enhance safety, comfort, and continuity of care.
