Evaluation of a magnetic bladder pump for neurogenic bladders

A new bladder pump prosthesis has been designed and evaluated in the normal dog bladder. This encompasses a magnetic pump located subcutaneously with internal silicone catheters from bladder to the urethra. The pump is powered from a hand-held activator which is magnetically coupled externally across the skin. This pump was evaluated in 12 dogs for an average of 65 days and provided adequate emptying of the bladder without alteration of the normal urinary tract or pump malfunction. The potential and limitations of this new approach are discussed.