Welsh scientists have developed an early warning system for blockages in the catheters used by patients with urinary incontinence.

Catheters are a useful tool for people who would otherwise need to have their incontinence pants or pads changed on a regular basis. But they are prone to blockages which, if left for a period of time, can lead to complications such as kidney and blood infections.

Now, a team at Cardiff University has developed a unique sensor that changes from yellow to blue/black before the catheter becomes blocked. This should enable healthcare providers to deal with the catheter before further problems arise. Dr David Williams, who led the development, said: "Catheter blockages remain uncontrollable, unpredictable and dealt with - more often than not - when it's too late.
"By developing the first early warning system for urinary catheter blockage we hope we can offer doctors and nursing staff an accurate way of predicating and preventing encrustation before it is too late."

The system will now undergo clinical trials at the Bristol Urological Institute to determine its effectiveness in people who are catheterised due to adult incontinence.