Luja™ male: A catheter for children

Discover Luja for boys; an intermittent catheter designed to empty the bladder completely in one go to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)^1,2.

“

Luja makes a real difference for Franz and our family

– Wolfgang and Katharina, parents to Franz

Complete bladder emptying in one go¹

Luja empties the bladder completely in one go, as the urine flow only stops when the bladder is completely empty^1,3.

Faster⁴ and simpler emptying¹ ⁵

Luja empties the bladder faster⁴ and with no adjustments to the catheter needed during catheterisation, meaning a simpler emptying technique^1,5. With its protective sleeve, Luja is also hygienic to use.

Less risk of UTIs²

Luja minimises urine left in the bladder after catheterisation^1,3. This means less risk of UTIs².

A catheter for children with a unique technology

The unique Micro-hole Zone Technology means that Luja has 80+ micro-holes rather than two eyelets, which is standard for conventional intermittent catheters. The 80+ micro-holes ensure that the bladder is emptied completely¹ without having to adjust the catheter during catheterisation. Fully emptying the bladder when catheterising reduces the risk of bacteria multiplying in the bladder, which helps reduce the risk of UTIs^2,⁶.

Meet Katharina and Wolfgang, parents to Franz

Franz is 11 years old and has Spina Bifida, which causes an overactive bladder. Franz uses Luja to manage his condition. Franz goes to school and in his spare time he loves being active, playing soccer and video games.

"When Franz tried Luja, it really won us over. Because Luja empties his bladder faster, Franz can get back to playing football with his friends quicker."

Catheterising hasn’t always been a straightforward journey

Franz has been using a catheter since he was three months old, so it has always been part of his life. But it hasn’t always been a straightforward journey.

"When Franz was younger, handling the catheter was challenging and caused a lot of UTIs. He had 25 UTIs a year. It was a never-ending cycle."

“

Thank God I no longer have to worry as much about the risk of UTIs. It’s a gift.

Because of the protective sleeve, Luja is hygienic for Franz to use, and by using Luja, Franz has reduced risk of UTIs because his bladder is emptied completely when he catheterises^1,2. Because Luja empties his bladder faster⁴, Katharina feels reassured that Franz is less likely to skip catheterisations.

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HTU video for caretakers

HTU video for boys standing

HTU video for boys in wheelchair

Good to know about catheters for children

Does catheterisation hurt my child?

Luja is a hydrophilic-coated catheter, designed with Triple Action Coating Technology. This technology makes the coating stay bonded, smooth and hydrated to protect the urethra and reduce discomfort during insertion and withdrawal⁵. If your child experiences any persistent pain when catheterizing, always contact a healthcare professional.

How often should my child catheterise?

Getting into a good routine where the bladder is fully emptied 4–6 times per day is essential to a healthy bladder^2,7. Catheterising regularly is necessary so urine doesn’t remain in the bladder too long, which can lead to a urinary tract infection^2,6.

What size catheter should a child be using?

Luja is available in a range of different sizes, including smaller sizes (CH8-12) suitable for boys. Which size is right for your child depends on different factors such as age and weight⁸. It may be necessary to try different sizes to find the most comfortable fit. We recommend consulting with your child’s healthcare professional to find the right size.

Does an intermittent catheter empty the bladder completely?

Because of Micro-hole Zone Technology, Luja empties the bladder completely in one go with no need to adjust the catheter during catheterization¹.

What can I do to maintain my child’s bladder health?

We recommend that you make sure that your child drinks enough fluid throughout the day. Consult with your child’s healthcare professional to determine the right fluid intake for your child based on their weight and other relevant factors. Water is always a good choice of fluid for the bladder. By drinking a lot of fluid, your child’s urine becomes more diluted, and bacteria can be flushed out⁶.
Make sure that your child catheterises regularly, between 4-6 times day⁷. Fully emptying the bladder is necessary so the urine doesn’t stay in the bladder for too long^2,6. This is a risk factor for urinary tract infections. Your child’s healthcare professional can give exact guidance on the frequency of catheterisations⁷.
Serve foods that support good gut health. Your child’s diet also affects their bladder health. If your child is constipated, this may affect their ability to empty their bladder completely². A balanced diet with plenty of nutrients and fiber is important; so is physical activity.
Talk to your child about good body hygiene. Keeping good intimate hygiene should be a priority in your child’s daily routine. Make sure that the area around the urethra is washed daily. Any soap used for this purpose should have a low pH-value.
Ensure good hand hygiene. One of the most effective methods to help maintain a healthy bladder is to practice good hand hygiene⁷. Always ensure that the catheter is only handled with clean hands by either using soap or applying hand sanitiser before and after each catheterisation. Dirty hands may transfer bacteria from the skin into the urethra, which can lead to infection. Even with clean hands, touching the part of the catheter that goes into the urethra should be avoided.