A catheter friction tester using balance sensor: Combined evaluation of the effects of mechanical properties of tubing materials and surface coatings. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Røn, Troels; Jacobsen, Kristina Pilgaard; Lee, Seunghwan
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials. Volume 84(2018)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: SUMSilicone-based Urethra Model -- CFT-BSCatheter Friction Tester based on Balance Sensor -- PU-UnPolyurethane-Uncoated -- PVC-UnPoly(vinyl chloride)-Uncoated -- PU-CPolyurethane-Coated -- PVC-CPoly(vinyl chloride)-Coated; Urinary catheter -- Friction -- Flexural strain -- Urethra model -- Lubrication; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.04.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-6161

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we introduce a new experimental approach to characterize the forces emerging from simulated catherization. This setup allows for a linear translation of urinary catheters in vertical direction as controlled by an actuator. By employing silicone-based elastomer with a duct of comparable diameter with catheters as urethra model, sliding contacts during the translation of catheters along the duct is generated. A most unique design and operation feature of this setup is that a digital balance was employed as the sensor to detect emerging forces from simulated catherization. Moreover, the possibility to give a variation in environment (ambient air vs. water), clearance, elasticity, and curvature of silicone-based urethra model allows for the detection of forces arising from diverse simulated catherization conditions. Two types of commercially available catheters varying in tubing materials and surface coatings were tested together with their respective uncoated catheter tubing. The first set of testing on the catheter samples showed that this setup can probe the combined effect from flexural strain of bulk tubing materials and slipperiness of surface coatings, both of which are expected to affect the comfort and smooth gliding in clinical catherization. We argue that this new experimental setup can provide unique and valuable information in preclinical friction testing of urinary catheters. Highlights: A new friction tester for urinary catheters was developed. Based on balance force sensor, both pushing and friction forces were detected. Silicone-based urethra was superior to agar gel in distinction of different catheters. The new tester evaluates both surface coatings and tubing materials of catheters.