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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Feasability Of Preventing Encrustation Of Urinary Catheters, J. M. Bibby, A. J. Cox, D. W. L. Hukins Jan 1995

Feasability Of Preventing Encrustation Of Urinary Catheters, J. M. Bibby, A. J. Cox, D. W. L. Hukins

Cells and Materials

Colonization of urinary catheters by bacteria which produce urease leads to an increase in urine pH, followed by deposition of the minerals struvite and hydroxyapatite. Adhesion of these encrusting deposits can be reduced, but not prevented, by using catheters with a smooth surface finish. Chemical methods for preventing encrustation are not completely satisfactory. A better way of preventing encrustation would be to prevent colonization of the catheter by bacteria. This might be achieved by controlled release of antimicrobial agents directly into the urine from the catheter itself. Preliminary experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of controlled release from solid silicone. However, …


Some Observations On The Structure Of Encrusting Biofilms Of Proteus Mirabilis On Urethral Catheters, C. Winters, D. J. Stickler, N. S. Howe, T. J. Williams, N. Wilkinson, C. J. Buckley Jan 1995

Some Observations On The Structure Of Encrusting Biofilms Of Proteus Mirabilis On Urethral Catheters, C. Winters, D. J. Stickler, N. S. Howe, T. J. Williams, N. Wilkinson, C. J. Buckley

Cells and Materials

A physical model of the bladder has been used to study the process of urinary catheter encrustation. Techniques have been devised for the preparation of sections through these encrustations in situ on the luminal surfaces of catheters and for mapping the distribution of calcium and magnesium in the biofilms. Transmission electron microscopy on these sections showed struvite-like crystals lying in the matrix and in direct contact with the catheter surface. Calcium phosphate ("bioapatite") was distributed throughout the film and many of these amorphous particles appear to have cells at their cores. Freeze-substituted sections of biofilms also showed electron dense materials …