Bard Bardia Coudé Tip Red Rubber Intermittent Catheter

SKUs: 802512 | 802514 | 802516 | 802518 | 802520  |  16" Male  |  Coudé Olive Tip  |  Semi-Rigid Red Rubber  |  Radiopaque  |  Prescription Required  |  FSA Eligible

⚠ LATEX WARNING: This product is made from natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Do not use if you have a latex allergy or sensitivity. Consult your clinician before ordering.

A 16" semi-rigid red rubber coudé catheter designed for navigating the male prostatic curve. The coudé olive tip's rounded profile and the semi-rigid red rubber construction provide the stiffness needed to pass through prostatic enlargement or elevation. A single drainage eye is positioned at the top of the prostatic curve for optimal flow. The raised indicator provides tactile orientation of the tip — usable without visual confirmation. Radiopaque for X-ray positioning verification. Available in five French sizes from 12Fr to 20Fr. Requires separate water-based lubricant — no petrolatum-based products. Prescription required.

Order by Part Number

Coudé tip and French size are prescribed. Confirm no latex allergy before ordering. Questions? 1-866-218-0902

Key Features

• ⚠ Contains natural rubber latex — not for use by patients with latex allergy or sensitivity
• Coudé olive tip — rounded, olive-shaped angled tip for navigating the prostatic curve and elevated bladder neck
• Semi-rigid red rubber construction — natural rubber latex provides controlled stiffness that holds its shape under insertion force through prostatic obstruction
• Single drainage eye at top of prostatic curve — optimally positioned for drainage when catheter is correctly oriented in the bladder
• Raised indicator — a tactile bump on the catheter body that allows finger-feel orientation of the coudé tip direction without visual confirmation
• Radiopaque — visible on X-ray for catheter position verification
• 16" (40cm) male length
• Funnel end
• Uncoated — requires separate water-based lubricant; do not use petrolatum (petroleum jelly) or oil-based lubricants, which damage latex
• French sizes 12Fr–20Fr — wider range than most PVC catheters, accommodating larger prescribed sizes
• Single patient use — do not reuse
• Prescription required | FSA eligible

Clinical FAQs

What is red rubber and how is it different from PVC intermittent catheters?

Red rubber catheters are made from vulcanized natural rubber latex — the same raw material as latex gloves — rather than PVC. The manufacturing process produces a distinctively semi-rigid, slightly flexible tube that is firmer and more substantial in feel than most PVC catheters. Red rubber has been used in urological catheterization for well over a century and remains preferred by some clinicians and patients for coudé applications specifically because the semi-rigid natural rubber provides excellent tactile feedback during insertion and maintains its curved tip geometry reliably under the force required to navigate the prostatic urethra. The firm, smooth surface of red rubber also advances through resistance differently than softer PVC. The critical clinical distinction is that red rubber contains latex — it is entirely unsuitable for any patient with latex allergy or sensitivity.

What is a coudé olive tip and how is it different from a standard coudé tip?

A standard coudé tip has a tapered, angled end — the catheter narrows to a point at the curve. A coudé olive tip has a rounded, bulbous end shaped approximately like an olive — the tip is wider and more blunt before tapering back into the catheter body. The olive shape allows the tip to push against and around soft tissue obstruction (prostatic lobes) with a gentle, distributing contact rather than the more focused point of a standard coudé. For significantly enlarged prostates where the prostatic lobes partially occlude the lumen, the olive tip's broader contact surface can navigate around the obstruction more smoothly. The choice between standard coudé and coudé olive tip is made by the prescribing urologist based on the specific anatomy and obstruction pattern.

What does the raised indicator do and who benefits most from it?

The raised indicator is a physical bump or ridge molded into the catheter body that indicates the direction the coudé tip is facing. Unlike a printed guide stripe (which requires visual confirmation), the raised indicator can be felt with the fingertip — allowing the user to orient the tip without looking at the catheter. This is clinically significant for patients with reduced fine motor control, reduced hand sensation (common in spinal cord injury patients), visual impairment, or anyone catheterizing in low-light conditions. To use: run a finger along the catheter near the funnel end to locate the raised indicator. Orient it facing upward (toward the anterior/ceiling) before and during insertion to maintain correct coudé tip direction through the prostatic urethra.

Why is only one drainage eye present and where is it located?

This catheter has a single drainage eye positioned on the top (anterior/concave side) of the prostatic curve — at the highest point of the angled tip. When the catheter is correctly oriented in the bladder with the coudé tip curving away from the prostatic obstruction, this single eye faces upward toward the bladder lumen for unobstructed drainage. Two opposing eyes (as used on straight-tip catheters) would be less effective here because the second eye could be occluded against bladder tissue when the tip is angled. The single eye at the top of the curve is the anatomically correct positioning for a coudé tip drainage design.

What does radiopaque mean and when is this feature relevant?

Radiopaque means the catheter contains a substance — typically barium sulfate — that absorbs X-rays, making it visible on plain X-ray and fluoroscopic imaging. For most routine intermittent catheterization, radiopacity is not needed. It becomes relevant in clinical settings where catheter position needs to be confirmed — for example, when catheterization is performed under urological guidance, when a patient has complex anatomy, when evaluating catheter placement during bladder studies, or when a catheter needs to be located on imaging after a procedural concern. The radiopaque property does not affect daily use but provides an additional tool for clinical assessment when needed.

Why can I not use petroleum jelly or petrolatum-based lubricants with this catheter?

Natural rubber latex is chemically incompatible with petroleum-based substances, including petroleum jelly (Vaseline), petrolatum-based ointments, and mineral oil. These compounds degrade latex by weakening the polymer structure, causing the catheter to swell, soften, and potentially deteriorate or break during or after insertion. A degraded catheter surface also increases urethral friction and trauma risk. Use only water-soluble, water-based lubricants — such as sterile lubricating jelly in single-use packets — with this catheter. Do not use any petroleum, oil, or silicone-based lubricants on latex catheters.

Who should NOT use this catheter?

This catheter contains natural rubber latex and must not be used by any patient with a known or suspected latex allergy or sensitivity. Latex allergy ranges from contact dermatitis (localized skin reaction) to systemic anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening reaction), and urethral exposure to latex in sensitized patients can trigger severe reactions. Patients with spina bifida, healthcare workers, and patients who have undergone multiple surgeries are at higher risk for latex sensitization and should be screened before using any latex-containing medical device. For patients requiring a coudé catheter who cannot use latex, latex-free PVC coudé alternatives are available — contact our team at 1-866-218-0902 for non-latex coudé catheter options.

Questions about latex allergy screening, coudé olive vs. standard coudé, or non-latex coudé alternatives? Call our product specialists: 1-866-218-0902