Measurements and Description Nomenclature
Explained here is how we measure and describe the items
Here is the 1"x 1" grid, most items will have a photo on this background, to show some perspective. But most of the world doesnt use inches, so we will often describe smaller pieces in millimeters and most will also have Fr (French) size too.
The French (Fr) measurement system, or French gauge, defines the external diameter of medical catheters and tubes, where1 Fr equals 1/3 of a millimeter(). A higher Fr number indicates a larger diameter, with the formula:
1" = 25.4mm
1"= 76.2 Fr
1 Fr = 0.33mm
Terms and Definitions
Tip - The end that should be inserted first, normally its a tapered shape but can be also be a ball.
Flange - The other end of the piece, the part that will be outside your body once the piece has been successfully inserted.
Retention Flange – This flange will be made with a valley for the sphincter grab to stay in place, for extended wear, and comfort. I could be a double ball flange with one ball that is inserted and the final ball is outside the body.
Safety Flange – These flanges may or may not have a retention valley, but they will have a stopper that is larger than the largest diameter of the piece,
so it shouldn’t be easily over inserted
Recommended Insertion Length - This is the max and intended length that the piece is to be inserted to, inserting passed this point is dangerous and
not recommended. This is usually measured from the tip to the
retention valley or to the safety flange.
Total Length - Measured from the tip to the flange end of the piece, the full length of the item.
Bore - The hole going through the piece, for sounds it can be 3/32" (2.38mm), 1/8" (3.175mm), 5/32" (3.968mm) in diameter. For plugs and nozzles, it can be 1/4" (6.35mm) or 5/16" (7.937mm), and very few can be in 7/32" (5.556mm)
No Bore - Solid, there wont be a hole at all going through the piece.
Max diameter - The largest diameter(fattest) of the piece intended for insertion, excluding the saftey flange.
This is the MD 8-16, it has 8 segments with shallow valleys, and a retention valley and saftey flange on the left which is not tapered to the shaft of the piece and is larger than the rest of the piece.
For this piece the Max diameter is the 8th segment.
This is the MRB 8-12, it has many small ball segments a retention flange on the left which is intended to hold the piece in place once fully inserted, compared to the piece above, it is more possible to over insert(not recommended).
Here is a larger piece the GRB-103, it has multiple segments for the tip, then a shaft (103Fr hence the name), and finally a double ball flange(meaning the retention valley in in between two balls) The first ball is inserted and the half ball is the flange that shouldn't be inserted.