Suburothelial Bladder Contraction Detection with Implanted Pressure Sensor.
Steve J A Majerus1,2,3, Paul C Fletter1,3, Elizabeth K Ferry4,5
1Advanced Pltatform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States of America.
Plos One
|January 7, 2017
Summary
A novel piezoelectric sensor shows promise for monitoring bladder pressure in neurogenic bladder patients. While erosion necessitates a wireless design, the sensor accurately detects bladder contractions, improving rehabilitation potential.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Urology
- Medical Device Development
Background:
- Effective management of bladder pressure is crucial for patients with neurogenic bladders to prevent complications like upper tract damage and incontinence.
- Current methods for monitoring bladder contractions are often unsuitable for long-term or ambulatory use, limiting rehabilitation options.
- A need exists for innovative, chronic monitoring solutions for bladder pressure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel piezoelectric catheter-free pressure sensor for detecting bladder contractions.
- To assess the sensor's performance when placed in a suburothelial bladder location in animal models.
Main Methods:
- Wired piezoelectric pressure monitor prototypes were implanted in feline and canine subjects (nonsurvival and one 13-day survival).
- Vesical pressures were recorded from suburothelial and intraluminal sensor placements, compared against a standard pressure sensing catheter.
- The survival animal's intravesical pressure was monitored for 10 days, followed by necropsy to evaluate implant migration and tissue erosion.
Main Results:
- High correlation (r = 0.93±0.03) was observed between the novel sensor and reference catheter during stimulated bladder contractions in nonsurvival animals.
- Excellent correlation (r = 0.98±0.02) was achieved when the device was placed within the bladder lumen.
- While initial data from the survival animal was physiological, later recordings showed deterioration; however, end-stage intraluminal data still correlated (r = 0.85±0.13), despite significant implant erosion through the detrusor.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a significant correlation between suburothelial pressure readings and actual intravesical bladder pressures.
- Device erosion observed during ambulatory monitoring highlights the need for a wireless implant design for future clinical applications.
- A wireless version of this sensor holds potential for improving clinical rehabilitation in neurogenic bladder management.
