Discontinued Weber & Judd reservoir catheters

ET,

Sorry, wish I had an answer for you. Have been on a hunt for catheters for many months now. The Marlin and Medina are too flexible and I have been told by several suppliers that there is a production problem. And some companies no longer make the product .

This is certainly effecting my quality of life in a very bad way. If you hear of anything please, please pass the information along.

Thank you

Best of luck

Jan

Hello all. Just for clarification and personal venting:  This news is very distressing to me and I suspect others.  I have used these catheters since 1981 following surgery at Mayo Clinic which is next door to Weber and Judd pharmacy. I have sampled other catheters over the years all of which have been problematic for me including damage to my stoma.  I have been willing to pay many times more for the Weber and Judd product. I contacted them about the discontinuance and was told they had sold their long term care facility which had been in-house manufacturing the catheters. They have decided to no longer continue to make them. I was offered what sounds to be the Marlen catheter, which I have found to be too stiff, curved in odd direction, limited to two edgy holes and short. The person I talked to informed me that another K-Poucher was very pleased with the change (which may be true but also seemed dismissive of my concerns). I understand their catheter is widely preferred by many. We differ in our situations and personal needs.  One size does not fit all. Same as with other medical conditions. I was informed that it was a corporate decision to no longer offer their catheter and that he didn’t know who made choice to do so. I asked about the corporation’s board and chairperson to potentially express my concerns. He claimed he didn’t know who they are. This is corporate annonmity, diffusion of responsibility and apparent cost focused healthcare decision making (although at the most recent $109.00/catheter, it seems a profit could be made). Curiously, their motto is “Then-Now-Always.” All this said,  I am grateful for the nearly 40 years of the Weber and Judd catheter, the personalized caring and service I received through their previous division. Just not sure of direction forward. Perhaps out of country purveyors? 

Kent

Thank you Jan- I will continue my search for more options and keep you in the know.

Kent, I was told the very same by Weber and Judd pharmacy and I also called their Corporate but I have not received a call back. I will keep this topic going once I gain more information.

~ET

This makes me want to start hoarding Marlen and Medena catheter’s just in case those companies decide to stop manufacturing. The number of K pouch patient’s is ever decreasing. 

Gosh, let’s hope not! I have a hard enough time getting the few Medicare allows now.I tried getting extras, as I was battling C-diff and was told to get new ones as to not recontaminate, but was denied. They said that would interfere with my regular order?? 

Cant understand as I would have just paid out of pocket. Was advised on how to disinfect what I had with bleach.

 I have a NG tube to use to relieve gas and it doubles to help strengthen the Medena

One of my Drs is now looking into a type of plastic open curette to see if that will help. You would just pull it out as soon as you get the regular catheter through the valve ,and it is washable, they say.Hopefully I get that soon.  I have to intubate at least 10 times a day. Will let you all know if that works out!

I believe the medical world is beginning to see we have a problem here. But as Kim says, we are a disappearing group🥴😢

🤗👍

That make two caths out of manufacture, several years ago the Mentor cath was discontinued. Surely some manufacturer could step up and start producing both of these caths.

After I left Cleveland, I couldn’t find the flexible catheter they used with my drainage bag. I eventually started using the red rubber catheters. They are a little longer and heavier but they worked for me. I still use it when I’m having problems intubating. 

Thank you Shavon,

are the two openings large enough to drain thicker particles? 

~ET

Not really. I’m not happy with the hole sizes of any catheter. But since this is a aid rubber, I’ve been able to cut the holes bigger 

I agree- thank you! I was trying to see if they made one without latex.

I just got an email response from Marlen Manufacturing and they're in the process developing and replacing Weber & Judd catheters, as in length, etc.  I just ordered one of their medium straight 30 fr catheters at 15 inches and they work really well for me, are flexible but I hate the short length. I've used the Weber and Judd since my K-pouch of 41 years so was horrified to hear this news as well. I emailed Marlen mfg. just yesterday and got a quick reply from them. So this is good news!  I also contacted the Mayo clinic as they also only used Weber & Judd catheters and they have a potential distributor for the W & J design as well.  So it may take some time, I suggest that anyone who is interested to email Marlen mfg.  for future info.  

DGS,

Please let us know as soon as you receive the new Marlin. I just got an e-mail that the urinary catheter i’ve been waiting for is coming tomorrow. This I will try to put in the Medena to strengthen insertion.15 inches is so much better, most of the time I have to bend over doggy style to empty, putting me really close to the potty🤨

ET/RN  I have extremely thick output most of the time, despite whatever I do, so when I can get my hands on one of these new ones, i’ll Let everyone know.

It has taken me weeks to get the catheter coming tomorrow 🤞. This is just becoming so stressful ,apparently all these changes started taking place in the last year. I’m at 17 months out. Rats !!

Thanks sooo much for all of your input,

Jan 

The Marlen manufacture of a similar product of the Weber and Judd catheter sounds incredible. I really hope they make it true to what we know and love. Thank you so much for posting and letting us know!

I just received Medena Catheters from Vitality Medical    https://www.vitalitymedical.com/ 

Hope this helps. 

This news was so distressing to me! I too have used the WJ catheter since 1981. Nothing else works. I have bulky and sometimes thick output, as I am a vegetarian. This catheter has the circumference, length and flexibility none of the others have. I don’t know what I’ll do if another company doesn’t step up. 

The only comfort is that I’m not alone in this. If anyone gathers more information, please keep me posted. 

I emailed Marlen this week hoping they could confirm they are taking on the production of the Weber and Judd 31F, Silicon catheters but I have not received a  reply. My email is below:

info@marlenmfg.com

Thanks for sharing  this. I’ll be very  interested to hear what they say! 

Incidentally, I believe Weber Judd catheter is 29 Fr.  Would the 31 be narrower?

Marlen Mfg will answer your question if you call, please go to their website for their number.  I followed up about 1 month ago, they're still working on it as they want the same cath design, I believe it will be a 30FR with 2 holes.  She will contact me as soon as their product is finished, I assume this is not a quick process. All I wanted was Marlen's 30FR with a longer length, as that catheter seemed fine for me. Apparently, the Weber Judd was deemed sterile and that's why the Mayo Clinic uses that on all their K-pouch patients.  

I did a google search on where to find Weber & Judd reservoir catheters: https://www.google.com/search?...5i304i39.oqmay0CO_uk

and found this: https://www.gpihealth.com/osto...theter-31-fr-2-slots it's a bit pricy but it has 'in stock' on the form. But in the search results there is another site that had them for more money. 

I hope this helps. Good luck. 

This is not the one Marlen is working on, as it's still in Research and development. I believe what you found was just a very expensive third party ad for Marlen catheters, you can buy same thing from Marlen ostomy distributors for about $16-18,  I believe. Weber and Judd has none left, anywhere, the Mayo ostomy nurses would have bought them up if they could. There are many third party scammers out there.

Oddly, packaging cane with  my W&J catheters were always marked 29Fr and 3 holes. But it has 2 holes and looks exactly like the picture of the 31&Fr.

Two options- the 29Fr with 3 slots or the 31Fr with 2 slots

Yes, I have the same label, mine says it’s the 29, but it only has 2 slots!

That is very strange! 

I wrote to Marlen Corporate office and got an immediate response. He said they are working on it and would send me a sample if I wish. The one they are developing g now is 34Fr and 24 inches. Although he said it is similar to the W& J, obviously the size is much larger. I shared my thoughts on it and answered some questions he asked about dimensions, etc. Perhaps it would help if some others reached out as well. “The squeaky wheel...” as they say!

Dumb question but I’ve been trying to follow this thread. Are people using the same really long catheter that connects to the drainage bag after surgery for every day intubation ?

I just sent another email. What email are you using littlered1?

Hi SHAVON, this catheter is used for the 3 weeks post-op at my hospital where a new Kpoucher is continuously intubated. There are some clients who prefer to use this catheter for daily intubation or when there output is thicker as the eyelets are larger. 

The Weber and Judd 29FR 24 inch length is the only catheter I've used for 41 years, the longer length means no blowback as it reaches into the water.  Adding a connector is not a good option for the shorter lengths.  I really didn't notice much difference in the Marlen 30FR 15 inch length as far as the eyelets are. I also contacted Marlen again for clarification on their R&D, saying that the 34FR wouldn't work and in fact may

cause problems for the nipple valves due to its diameter. Waiting for response.

Originally to: info@marlenmfg.com

i received a response from: lyle.fenton@marlenmfg.com

where are you sending yours?

andy

barbara.takacs@marlenmfg.com   Barbara answers the phone when I've called and also emailed me several times in regards to my questions. Perhaps there's

a problem in their communications as to what the true dimensions are?

Sounds like it. I sent the dimensions to Lyle. Did they mention to you that they had a 34FR?

no, she thought it was a 30FR, not in writing but on phone.

I just heard from Marlen. They've completed the 34FR catheter and are waiting

on the materials for the 30FR catheter. I will get another email when the 30 FR are available, I imagine it still will take some time. Patience please.

Thank you LITTLERED1 and DGS! I just got my email reply as well:

Hello Erin

Regarding your email of May 11^th on the Weber and Judd catheters.  We do have 34fr catheter with the silicone tubing.  I do have material on order for the 30fr tubing.  I am hoping to receive this material soon.  I would be happy to keep you posted when we get the 30fr catheters in production.

If you would like to see the 34fr catheter I would be happy to send you a sample.  Just contact me and I will be happy to answer your questions.

Kindest regards,

It sounds promising! 

Just found this group today.  I’ve been very stressed that the Weber and Judd catheters are no longer available; been using them for 42 years. Others damage stoma and valve.  Glad to hear Marlen is coming to the rescue and I wrote them today.  🙏

Update for W&J replacement by Marlen Mfg.  Recently got an email from them saying that within 1 month they will have samples of their new 30 FR long length although they didn't say how long and within another month or so will be for sale. I will post when I get the go ahead for requesting a sample and let you know and then you can contact them directly requesting a sample as well.  Debby