CIA Medical is a leading provider of medical and surgical supplies. We serve over 25,000 healthcare facilities worldwide. See our list of French catheters and prices below. Order online, call us at (312) 275-5850, or get a 2-hour quote by filling the form on this page.
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What Is a French Catheter?
The term "French catheter" can be used to describe almost any kind of catheter that is measured using the French (Fr) scale. This is a measuring system that was created by a man called Joseph-Frederic-Benoit Charriere.
Charriere was a 19th century Parisian who made surgical equipment and devices, including catheters. He wanted to create a simplistic way of measuring catheter sizes, and settled on a system in which 0.33mm = 1 French unit.
Therefore, for example, a catheter with a 3 Fr rating is approximately 1mm wide (0.33 x 3), while a 10 Fr catheter is 3.33mm wide (10 x 0.33). French catheters can therefore be measured and sized according to Charriere's scale.
This scale is used for measuring many kinds of catheters, from classic urinary or Foley catheters that are inserted into the urethra to other kinds of catheters like Fogarty catheters, dialysis catheters, and epidural catheters.
Covidien #8887630260, Dover 100% Silicone Foley Catheter, 30 mL, 2-Way, 26 Fr (8.7 mm), 10/CRT
Covidien #8887689209, Dover Silicone Elastomer Coated Latex Foley Catheter, 30 mL, 3-Way, 20 Fr (6.7 mm), 10/CRT
Covidien #1612, Dover Hydrogel Coated Latex Foley Catheter, 5 mL, 2-Way, 12 Fr/Ch (4.0 mm)
Covidien #8887660221, Dover Urethral Catheter Red Rubber Robinson, 16" length, radiopaque, smooth rounded tip, 100/CS
Covidien #8887603101, Dover 100% Silicone Foley Catheter, 3 mL, 2-Way (Pediatric), 10 Fr (3.3 mm), 10/CRT
Covidien #1624, Dover Hydrogel Coated Latex Foley Catheter, 5 mL, 2-Way, 24 Fr/Ch (8.0 mm)
Covidien #8887688201, Dover Silicone Elastomer Coated Latex Foley Catheter, 5 mL, 3-Way, 20 Fr (6.7 mm), 10/CRT
Utah Medical #4175005, Umbili-Cath Silicone UVC Catheter, Single Lumen, 5.0 French, Marked to 34 cm, 18 gauge, 10/BX
Covidien #8887605262, Dover 100% Silicone Foley Catheter, 5 mL, 2-Way, 26 Fr (8.7 mm), 10/CRT
Covidien #8887660127, Dover Urethral Catheter Red Rubber Robinson, 16" length, radiopaque, smooth rounded tip, 100/CS
Halyard Health #0135-20, Dover Silicone Coated Latex Foley Catheter 5 mL, 2-Way, Retention 14 Fr/Ch (4.7 mm)
Covidien #1619, Dover Hydrogel Coated Latex Foley Catheter, 5 mL, 2-Way, 18 Fr/Ch (6.0 mm)
Covidien #31600, Argyle Single Suction Catheters with Chimney Valve, 16 Fr, Whistle, 50/CS
Covidien #8887660184, Dover Red Rubber Urethral Catheter, 18 Fr/Ch (6.0 mm)
Covidien #8887605221, Dover 100% Silicone Foley Catheter, 5 mL, 2-Way, 22 Fr (7.3 mm), 10/CRT
Covidien #40516L, Dover 100% Silicone Foley Catheter, Council Tip, 5 mL, 2-Way, 16 Fr (5.3 mm), 10 EA/CS
Covidien #3567, Dover Silicone Coated Latex Foley Catheter 5 mL, 2-Way, Retention 22 Fr (7.3 mm), 10/CRT
Covidien #3611, Dover Silicone Latex Foley Catheter, 30 mL, 2-Way, 20 Fr, 10/CRT
Covidien #8888492033, Dover Urethral PVC Catheter, 12 Fr/Ch (4.0 mm) x 16" (41 cm)
Covidien #8887665241, Dover 100% Silicone Foley Catheter, 30 mL, 3-Way, 24 Fr (8.0 mm), 10/CRT
Covidien #8888492017, Dover Vinyl Urethral Catheter, 8 Fr/Ch (2.7 mm) x 16" (41 cm)
Covidien #402714, Argyle Graduated Suction Catheter with Chimney Valve Straight Packed 5 Fr/Ch (1.67 mm)
Covidien #8888492025, Dover Urethral PVC Catheter, 10 Fr/Ch (3.3 mm) x 16" (41 cm)
Cook Medical #G17870, CATHETER, SILICONE, BALLOON, 7FRENCH, 10/BX
How Does a French Catheter Work?
French catheters can have different ways of working, depending on the specific type you are using at the time. A classic French urinary catheter, for example, will be inserted into the urethra of the patient and pushed inside until it connects with the bladder, allowing for drainage. A French epidural catheter, meanwhile, is inserted into the epidural space in the back, around the spinal cord, and used for injecting medicines and anesthetic into the patient’s body.
French Catheter Sizes
As explained above, all French catheters and almost all catheters in general are sized using the French scale or French gauge system, created by Joseph-Frédéric-Benoit Charriere. Sizes can range from as low as 2 or 3 Fr all the way up to 20 Fr and beyond. Bigger and wider catheters are usually used for situations where wider openings are required, while small and narrow catheters may be used in pediatric patients or situations where only a narrow penetration into the body is needed.
French Catheter Types
There are many different kinds of French catheters. The most common variety is the urinary or Foley catheter. This catheter has been used for many years to help patients who may find it difficult or impossible to urinate naturally or those who are in conditions that make it harder to urinate, like patients who are bedridden. Other kinds of catheter can include dialysis catheters, used with dialysis machines, and biliary catheters, which are used to drain bile from bile ducts.
French Catheter Uses
Since there are many different kinds of French catheters, there are also lots of different ways in which they can be used. Urinary catheters, for example, can be useful for helping people who are suffering from incontinence or urinary retention, while epidural catheters can deliver anesthetic and medicine to patients with chronic pain or those going through labor.
French Catheter Suppliers
Covidien, Cook Medical, Halyard Health, Laerdal Medical, and Medline are some of the leading providers of French catheters.
Buy French Catheters at CIA Medical
No matter whether you’re looking for urinary catheters, epidural catheters, dialysis catheters, or some other kind of French catheter, CIA Medical can meet your needs. We aim to offer the fairest prices, the best service, and the finest quality products, all from trusted and proven manufacturers.
