My name is Mason Ellis. I was in a car accident during my senior year of high school, leaving me quadriplegic with a C5 spinal cord injury. You can read more about my story here. Since then, I have been actively working on beating my spinal cord injury every day.
It’s my goal to use my experience to help and inspire others. I like to peer-mentor and volunteer when I can. One of my primary ways of reaching out to others with spinal cord injuries is through my YouTube channel. My original videos feature a variety of educational information about living as a quadriplegic. I like to include helpful topics like what tenodesis is, why quadriplegics experience spasms, and how-to videos like dressing yourself as a quadriplegic.
Self-Cathing After a Spinal Cord Injury
After a spinal cord injury, catheterizing may be necessary, depending on your level of injury. Using intermittent catheters can keep your bladder from over-filling and prevent leakage. However, self-cathing can be difficult if you are a quadriplegic with poor hand dexterity.
When I was first injured as a C5 quadriplegic, I couldn’t self-cath until a year after my injury. That’s when 180 Medical introduced me to the EZ-Gripper™ closed system catheter (formerly the MTG EZ-Gripper).
Another helpful product I recently discovered that can help quadriplegics and others with limited hand dexterity with the process of catheterization is the MTG Eagle™ Board. The Eagle™ Board, manufactured by MTG (Medical Technologies of Georgia), was created to help catheter-users with low or limited dexterity perform self-catheterization on their own.
This adaptive cathing board, pictured below, is designed to be used with the EZ-Gripper™ catheter and works to help with inserting your catheter into the bladder.
MTG Eagle™ Board’s Features
The MTG Eagle™ Board has many features that can help male catheter-users who live with poor hand dexterity.
Whether you have a spinal cord injury or another condition like spina bifida or transverse myelitis, this board may be the adaptive self-cathing tool you need.
The MTG Eagle™ Board’s unique features include:
Repositionable Wings
The adjustable wings on the bottom of the board allow it to rest comfortably between your thighs. It’s positioned at just the right angle so your urine will flow easily into your closed system catheter bag.
Pants Hook
The adjustable hook holds your pants down for you, which frees your hands. This makes catheterizing yourself much easier.
Thumb Holes
There are two thumb or finger holes near the top of the board so you can easily maneuver it. You can also pick it up with minimal effort even with limited dexterity.
Housing Clip
The housing clip works to lock the catheter down to the Eagle Board securely, leaving your hands free.
Penile Lever
The magnetic penile lever sets the penis in place for inserting the catheter tube.
Foam Pads
Use the foam pads to keep soft contact against your skin. You can adjust or replace them if they wear down after many uses.
Allen Screws
The Allen screws are used to tighten the adjustable wings, which keeps the board at the proper angle for inserting the catheter tube.
Latex-Free
Convenient for those with latex allergies.
Convenient Size & Design
The Eagle Board is also small and compact enough that you can carry it in a backpack or briefcase with ease wherever you go. If you get it dirty, it’s easy to wash off and dry or wipe down with an antibacterial wipe, so you can reuse it every time you self-cath.
How to Use the MTG Eagle™ Board
Watch my full video below to get a closer look at the actual size of this adaptive cathing accessory. In it, I discuss each unique feature. Also, I offer a step-by-step tutorial on how to use the Eagle™ Board as a part of a quadriplegic self-catheterization routine.
- Adjust the wings for the proper angle.
- Press down on the blue handle gripper on the catheter tube
- Move your hand toward yourself to insert the tube into your urethra.
- Keep going until your catheter reaches the bladder and your urine starts to flow into the bag.
I also have a video showing how to use the EZ-Gripper™, if you’d like to learn more about this particular closed system catheter.
The MTG Eagle™ Board allows for easy catheter insertion because it provides a flat surface to press the catheter against.
If you are newly injured or cannot self-catheterize due to limited hand dexterity, the MTG Eagle™ Board may be a great place to regain some of your independence.
Contact 180 Medical for Product Help
180 Medical’s catheter specialists are ready to help you find the right catheter for your needs. Their staff can walk you through the catheterization process, step by step. They also provide handy cathing instructions online for men, women, and children, and they can put an instructional DVD and full-color booklet in your order as well.
All pictures of the MTG Eagle™ Board have been provided courtesy of MTG. You can find more information about this product on their website.
Note: You can learn more about Mason in his 180 Medical blog feature, or connect with him and others living with spinal cord injuries on his Facebook page or by subscribing to his YouTube Channel.
