Ugo Catheter Valve – Sterile Lever Valve – Box of 5 (Ref: 3000)

The Ugo Catheter Valve is a small, sterile catheter drainage valve designed to provide intermittent urinary drainage from an indwelling urethral or suprapubic catheter, offering a discreet alternative to continuous drainage into a leg bag for suitable users.

Instead of urine continuously flowing into a drainage bag, the valve remains closed while the bladder fills and is opened at appropriate intervals to allow the bladder to empty.

Intermittent drainage can help maintain normal bladder filling and emptying, supporting bladder capacity and muscle tone where a catheter valve has been assessed as clinically appropriate.

The Ugo Catheter Valve features a universal stepped connector, 180° lever handle and safety lever mechanism designed to help prevent accidental opening. A soft silicone outlet also allows an appropriate urine drainage bag to be connected when continuous drainage is required, for example overnight.

Important: A catheter valve is not suitable for everyone and should only be used after assessment of bladder function by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Key features:

• Sterile catheter valve

• Ugo Catheter Valve

• Reference 3000

• Designed for intermittent urinary drainage

• Suitable for appropriate indwelling urethral catheters

• Suitable for appropriate suprapubic catheters

• Discreet alternative to continuous leg-bag drainage

• Allows the bladder to fill between drainage episodes

• May help maintain bladder capacity and muscle tone

• Universal stepped connector

• Designed to fit different catheter materials

• 180° lever handle

• Suitable for easy single-handed operation

• Safety lever

• Helps prevent accidental opening

• Ergonomic shape

• No sharp edges

• Soft silicone drainage outlet

• Can connect to an appropriate drainage bag

• Suitable for overnight continuous drainage when used correctly

• Sterile easy-open packaging

• Manufactured from medical-grade PVC

• Designed for up to 7 days' use

• Box of 5

Suitable for:

• Appropriate users with an indwelling urethral catheter

• Appropriate users with a suprapubic catheter

• Users assessed as having adequate bladder capacity

• Users with appropriate bladder sensation

• Users able to operate the valve independently

• Users whose carer can operate the valve at the required intervals

• Users who prefer a discreet alternative to wearing a urine drainage bag continuously

• Users who may require connection to an overnight drainage bag

How does a catheter valve work?

With conventional continuous catheter drainage, urine flows directly from the bladder into a drainage bag.

A catheter valve works differently.

The valve remains closed, allowing urine to collect in the bladder.

At appropriate intervals, the user opens the valve and allows the bladder to drain completely through the catheter.

The valve is then closed again.

This creates a more natural cycle of:

Bladder filling → bladder emptying → bladder filling

For suitable catheter users, this may help maintain:

• Bladder capacity

• Bladder muscle function

• A more natural filling and emptying cycle

• Greater discretion

• Greater freedom from continuous daytime drainage bags

Important – assessment is required

Catheter valves should not be used automatically for every catheterised person.

The NHS Drug Tariff specifically states that catheter valves should not be used without an assessment of bladder function by an appropriate medical professional.

Suitability depends on factors including:

• Bladder capacity

• Bladder sensation

• Kidney function

• Ability to store urine safely

• Ability to operate the valve

• Ability to remember to drain the bladder regularly

• Individual catheter and urological condition

A doctor, nurse or other appropriate healthcare professional should determine whether intermittent catheter drainage is suitable.

When may a catheter valve not be appropriate?

A catheter valve may not be suitable for people with:

• Reduced bladder capacity

• Reduced or absent bladder sensation

• Inability to recognise when the bladder requires emptying

• Cognitive impairment affecting safe valve use

• Insufficient manual dexterity to operate the valve

• Renal impairment where intermittent drainage is inappropriate

• Ureteric reflux

• Uncontrolled overactive bladder

• Other conditions where continuous free drainage is clinically required

The Ugo Catheter Valve should only be used according to the individual's catheter-management plan.

180° lever handle

The Ugo Catheter Valve incorporates a 180° lever handle.

The lever is designed for straightforward operation and can be operated with one hand.

To drain the bladder, the lever is moved into the open position according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Once urine has stopped flowing, the lever is returned fully to the closed position.

The valve should always be checked after emptying to ensure it has been completely closed.

Safety lever

The valve incorporates a safety lever feature designed to help prevent accidental opening.

This provides additional security during:

• Walking

• Sitting

• Normal daily activities

• Dressing

• Movement beneath clothing

The valve should still be positioned where it is not subject to excessive pressure or pulling.

Universal stepped connector

The Ugo Catheter Valve has a universal stepped connector.

This is designed to provide a secure connection with indwelling urinary catheters made from different catheter materials.

The valve connects directly to the catheter drainage funnel.

When connecting:

• Perform appropriate hand hygiene

• Avoid touching connection surfaces

• Insert the connector securely

• Ensure the connection is stable

• Avoid unnecessary disconnection once fitted

Maintaining the integrity of the catheter drainage system helps reduce unnecessary manipulation and contamination.

Soft silicone drainage outlet

The opposite end of the valve incorporates soft silicone tubing.

This allows an appropriate urine drainage bag to be connected when continuous drainage is required.

This is particularly useful overnight.

An appropriate night drainage bag can be connected to the valve without removing the catheter valve from the catheter.

Using an overnight drainage bag

Where clinically appropriate, the Ugo Catheter Valve can remain connected to the catheter overnight while an appropriate larger drainage bag is attached to the soft silicone outlet.

To use continuous overnight drainage:

• Connect the stepped connector of the appropriate drainage bag securely to the silicone outlet

• Check the connection is secure

• Position the drainage bag below bladder level

• Open the Ugo Catheter Valve

• Leave the valve open so urine drains continuously into the bag

• Ensure tubing is free from kinks and obstruction

In the morning:

• Close the catheter valve

• Disconnect the night drainage bag according to the manufacturer's instructions

• Resume the prescribed intermittent drainage routine

Always follow the instructions supplied with both products.

Draining the bladder

The exact schedule should be determined by the healthcare professional responsible for the catheter-management plan.

When draining:

1. Wash and dry your hands.

2. Position the outlet appropriately over a toilet or suitable receptacle.

3. Open the Ugo Catheter Valve using the lever.

4. Allow the bladder to drain completely.

5. Wait until urine has stopped flowing.

6. Return the lever fully to the closed position.

7. Wipe the outlet with an appropriate clean wipe if necessary.

8. Wash and dry your hands.

The urine flow may sometimes appear slower than normal urination because drainage is occurring through the relatively narrow lumen of the urinary catheter.

Do not forget to empty the bladder

A catheter valve requires the user or carer to remember to operate it at appropriate intervals.

Leaving the valve closed for too long may result in excessive bladder filling and could cause:

• Discomfort

• Leakage around the catheter

• Bladder problems

• Potential complications

This is one reason catheter valves are not appropriate for people unable to reliably manage the drainage schedule.

Use with urethral catheters

The Ugo Catheter Valve may be used with an appropriate indwelling urethral catheter where intermittent drainage has been clinically assessed as suitable.

The valve replaces the continuous daytime drainage bag at the catheter outlet.

Use with suprapubic catheters

The valve may also be used with an appropriate suprapubic catheter.

The same principles apply:

• The valve remains closed while the bladder fills

• It is opened at prescribed intervals

• The bladder is allowed to drain completely

• The valve is closed again

Suitability must still be individually assessed.

Discreet alternative to a leg bag

For suitable users, one of the principal advantages of a catheter valve is that there is no urine collection bag continuously attached during the day.

This can provide:

• Greater discretion

• Less bulk beneath clothing

• Reduced need for leg-bag straps or sleeves

• Greater freedom during some activities

• A more natural bladder filling and emptying cycle

However, clinical suitability is more important than convenience.

Changing the catheter valve

The manufacturer states that the Ugo Catheter Valve is manufactured for up to 7 days' use.

UK NHS guidance recommends changing catheter valves every approximately:

5–7 days

Follow the individual catheter-management plan and manufacturer's instructions.

Replace the valve earlier if it becomes:

• Damaged

• Contaminated

• Soiled

• Difficult to operate

• Leaking

• Unable to close securely

Do not reuse a removed valve unless specifically permitted by the manufacturer's instructions and clinical protocol.

Seek medical advice if:

Contact an appropriate healthcare professional if you experience:

• Urine not draining through the valve

• Urine not draining into an attached drainage bag

• Leakage around the catheter

• Leakage around the valve

• Pain or significant discomfort

• Fever or high temperature

• Nausea or vomiting

• Cloudy urine

• Foul-smelling urine

• Blood in the urine

• Significant changes in urine colour

• Significant changes in urine volume

• Any concern about catheter blockage or urinary infection

Unexpected failure of urine to drain requires prompt assessment.

Important information:

• Sterile catheter valve

• Reference 3000

• Box of 5

• Designed for intermittent urinary drainage

• Suitable for appropriate indwelling urethral and suprapubic catheters

• Must only be used following appropriate bladder-function assessment

• Not suitable for every catheter user

• Universal stepped connector

• 180° lever handle

• Safety lever helps prevent accidental opening

• Designed for single-handed operation

• Soft silicone outlet

• Compatible with appropriate drainage bags

• Can support continuous overnight drainage when required

• Designed for use for up to 7 days

• NHS guidance recommends replacement every 5–7 days

• Maintain appropriate hand hygiene

• Avoid touching catheter and valve connections

• Avoid unnecessary disconnection

• Operate the valve at the intervals prescribed by the healthcare professional

• Always allow the bladder to drain completely

• Ensure the valve is fully closed after drainage

• Seek clinical advice if urine fails to drain, leakage develops or symptoms of urinary infection occur

• Always follow the manufacturer's Instructions for Use and individual catheter-management plan

Product details:

• Product: Ugo Catheter Valve

• Manufacturer: Optimum Medical Solutions Ltd

• Reference / product code: 3000

• PIP code: 413-4110

• NPC code: GPB85076

• Product type: Catheter drainage valve

• Drainage type: Intermittent

• Suitable catheter types: Appropriate indwelling urethral and suprapubic catheters

• Connector: Universal stepped connector

• Operating mechanism: 180° lever

• Safety lever: Yes

• Overnight drainage connection: Yes

• Outlet: Soft silicone tubing

• Sterile: Yes

• Maximum manufacturer use period: Up to 7 days

• Recommended replacement interval: Approximately 5–7 days

• Inner pack: Box of 5

• NHS Drug Tariff: Listed

• Classification: Catheter valve / urinary drainage medical device

Order code:

• 3000 – Ugo Catheter Valve – Sterile – 180° Lever – Box of 5

The Ugo Catheter Valve provides a small, discreet alternative to continuous daytime urine drainage bags for appropriately assessed catheter users, allowing the bladder to fill and empty intermittently.

Its universal stepped connector, safety lever, 180° one-handed operating mechanism and soft silicone drainage connection provide flexibility for daytime intermittent drainage and connection to an appropriate drainage bag where continuous drainage is required, including overnight.

A catheter valve is not suitable for everyone. Bladder function and the ability to safely operate the valve must be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional before use.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and the user's individual catheter-management plan.