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. 2012:2012:476759.
doi: 10.1100/2012/476759. Epub 2012 May 15.

An investigation of the basic physics of irrigation in urology and the role of automated pump irrigation in cystoscopy

Dwayne Chang  1 , Rustom P Manecksha, Konstantinos Syrrakos, Nathan Lawrentschuk
Affiliations

An investigation of the basic physics of irrigation in urology and the role of automated pump irrigation in cystoscopy

Dwayne Chang et al. ScientificWorldJournal. 2012.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of height, external pressure, and bladder fullness on the flow rate in continuous, non-continuous cystoscopy and the automated irrigation fluid pumping system (AIFPS).

Materials: Each experiment had two 2-litre 0.9% saline bags connected to a continuous, non-continuous cystoscope or AIFPS via irrigation tubing. Other equipment included height-adjustable drip poles, uroflowmetry devices, and model bladders.

Methods: In Experiment 1, saline bags were elevated to measure the increment in flow rate. In Experiment 2, saline bags were placed under external pressures to evaluate the effect on flow rate. In Experiment 3, flow rate changes in response to variable bladder fullness were measured.

Results: Elevating saline bags caused an increase in flow rates, however the increment slowed down beyond a height of 80 cm. Increase in external pressure on saline bags elevated flow rates, but inconsistently. A fuller bladder led to a decrease in flow rates. In all experiments, the AIFPS posted consistent flow rates.

Conclusions: Traditional irrigation systems were susceptible to changes in height of irrigation solution, external pressure application, and bladder fullness thus creating inconsistent flow rates. The AIFPS produced consistent flow rates and was not affected by any of the factors investigated in the study.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow versus height using gravity-controlled irrigation for continuous (C) flow and non-continuous (NC) cystoscopes and ACI device (ACI; set at 1.5 L/min). Setting was when irrigant bags were full to half full.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow versus height using gravity-controlled irrigation for continuous (C) and non-continuous (NC) cystoscopes and ACI device (ACI; set at 1.5 L/min). Setting was when irrigant bags were less than half-full.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Flow versus pressure using gravity-controlled irrigation for continuous (C) and non-continuous (NC) cystoscopes and ACI device (ACI; set at 1.5 L/min). Setting was when irrigant bags were full to half full.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Flow versus pressure using gravity-controlled irrigation for continuous (C) and non-continuous (NC) cystoscopes and ACI device (ACI; set at 1.5 L/min). Setting was when irrigant bags were less than half-full.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Flow versus bladder fullness using gravity-controlled irrigation for continuous (C) and non-continuous (NC) cystoscopes and ACI device (ACI; set at a pressure of 60 mmHg and flow rate of 1.5 L/min).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Illustration of the experimental model (not drawn to scale).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Illustration of the physical properties in the experimental models; V: velocity; P: pressure; z: height; ρ: density (constant throughout the experiment).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Graph of V 2 versus √z 1.
Box 1
Box 1
The physics of flow in a tube.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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