Artificial urinary bladder model

Journal article

Technological advancements in the medical field are often slow and expensive, sometimes due to complexities associated with pre-clinical testing of medical devices and implants. There is therefore a growing need for new test beds that can mimic more closely the in vivo environment of physiological systems. In the present study, a novel bladder model was designed and fabricated with the aim of providing a pre-clinical testing platform for urological stents and catheters. The model is collapsible, has a Young’s modulus that is comparable to a biological bladder, and can be actuated on-demand to enable voiding. Moreover, the developed fabrication technique provides versatility to adjust the model’s shape, size, and thickness, through a rapid and relatively inexpensive process. When compared to a biological bladder, there is a significant difference in compliance; however, the model exhibits cystometry profiles during priming and voiding that are qualitatively comparable to a biological bladder. The developed bladder model has therefore potential for future usage in urological device testing; however, improvements are required to more closely replicate the architecture and relevant flow metrics of a physiological bladder.

Authors: Read, B; Tan Sze Wuan, A; Pietropaolo, A; Somani, BK; Carugo, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Journal: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine
• Volume: 238
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 588-597
• Publication date: 2024-07-30
• Acceptance date: 2024-05-31
• DOI: 10.1177/09544119241262372
• EISSN: 2041-3033
• ISSN: 0954-4119
• Language: English
• Keywords: polymers; artificial muscles (biomechanics); Artificial organs; biomaterials (see also medical biomaterials); biomedical devices