Bladder Morphology Using 2 Different Catheter Designs
Bladder Morphology Using 2 Different Catheter Designs
Demonstrate and compare the 3D morphology of the bladder wall in full and drained states with
 2 different kinds of bladder catheters in place. (Foley Catheter vs. Cystosure Catheter)
The Foley catheter has been the mainstay of bladder drainage for many decades. There has been
 little design change despite risks associated with Foley catheter use including cather
 associated Urinary Tract Infections(UTIs). However, recent incentives and penalties related
 to iatrogenic bladder infections have encouraged healthcare providers to search for ways to
 decrease catheter-associated infections. Data suggests that the design of the traditional
 Foley catheter may be responsible for bladder mucosal injury due to contact with the drainage
 tip, which in turn contribute to bladder infections associated with long term indwelling
 Foley catheter usage. The Cystosure catheter is an FDA approved bladder drainage device, with
 a shortened drainage port, designed to avoid contact with the bladder mucosa. It is
 postulated that the lack of contact with the mucosa would decrease mucosal injury, possibly
 leading to decreased incidence of catheter related bladder infections. Early sheep bladder
 microscopy studies have suggested that the Cystosure catheter produces significantly less
 mucosal injury compared to the Foley catheter following a short period of indwelling bladder
 catheterization. The present study is designed to compare bladder wall geometry around the
 drainage balloon in the Foley versus the Cystosure drainage catheters in living women. It is
 hypothesized that the "tip-less" cystosure catheter will have a smoother, more continuous
 bladder contour around the drainage port, compared to the traditional Foley catheter tip.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Pelvic Floor Institute patients aged between 21 and 70 years of age, who are able to
 speak and understand English, who are not currently pregnant, or had a pregnancy in
 the previous 6 months.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Women with claustrophobia or any contraindication to undergoing an MRI scan will be
 excluded. Similarly, women with hip, knee, or shoulder replacements will be excluded
 because of the need for urethral catheterization. Women with significant mitral valve
 prolapse will also be excluded for the same reason. Women with history of 3 or more
 culture-documented UTIs over the last 12 months will be excluded. Women who are unable
 or unwilling to give informed consent will also be excluded. Women who are unable to
 tolerate 300 cc of fluid in the bladder will be excluded. Women with a
 nitrite-positive urinalysis at the time of study enrollment will be excluded until
 they can demonstrate a negative urine culture.