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. 2009;32(5):578-82.
doi: 10.1080/10790268.2009.11754564.

Balloon-tipped catheter for measuring urethral pressures

James S Walter  1 , John S Wheeler, Xiaoli Wang, Robert D Wurster
Affiliations

Balloon-tipped catheter for measuring urethral pressures

James S Walter et al. J Spinal Cord Med. 2009.

Abstract

Background: Better methods are needed for recording urethral function for complex urologic problems involving the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor.

Objective: To evaluate a balloon catheter for recording urethral pressure and function using bench-top testing and evaluation in an animal model.

Methods: Balloon pressure-recording methods included slightly inflating the balloon with water and placing the pressure transducer on the distal end of the catheter. For bench-top testing, manual procedures and a silastic tube with a restriction were used. In 3 anesthetized dogs, pressure recorded from the skeletal urethral sphincter was induced with electrical stimulation of the sphincter. Anal sphincter pressure was also recorded.

Results: Bench-top testing showed good pressure recordings, including a confined peak at the tube restriction. Animal tests showed urethral pressure records with rapid responses when electrical stimulation was applied. Peak pressure at the urethral skeletal sphincter was 55.7 +/- 15 cmH2O, which was significantly higher than the peak pressure recorded 2 cm distally in the proximal urethra (3.3 +/- 2.3 cmH2O). Peak anal pressures were smaller and unchanged for the 2 stimulations.

Conclusions: Balloon-pressure recordings showed rapid responses that were adequate for the tests conducted. In the animal model, high-pressure contractions specific to the skeletal urethral sphincter were shown. Balloon-tipped catheters warrant further investigation and may have applications for the evaluation of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia after spinal cord injury or for stress urinary incontinence.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Three-channel, urodynamic catheter showing the balloon ready for pressure recording after setup procedures that included filling the balloon with water to 0.04 mL.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bench-top testing of balloon pressure after setting up for pressure recording. LEFT, balloon pulled through a tube restriction showing a confined peak; MIDDLE, balloon raised and lowered 10 cm by investigators showing good fidelity; RIGHT, good fidelity shown from responses to short squeezes of the balloon by the investigators using their fingers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Urethral and anal pressure recordings during urethral stimulation in the anesthetized dog and after setup of the balloon for pressure recording. Both stimulations with probe electrodes adjacent to the skeletal urethral sphincter. LEFT, pressure-recording balloon located at the external urethral sphincter; RIGHT, pressure-recording balloon located in the proximal urethra, 2 cm proximal to the external sphincter. Stimulation was at 10–15 mA, 40 pulses per second, applied for 2 seconds.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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