Three-way bladder catheter prototype for bladder washing

The main postoperative complications of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) are urinary retention by blood clots in the probe and exogenous contamination of the urinary system by manipulation of the healthcare professional when performing the bladder washing technique. The aim of this study was to develop a prototype for keeping the urinary system closed during bladder washes and to measure the internal pressures of the three-way Indwelling Urinary Catheter (IDC) during the bladder washing technique. This was a technological study based on the Rozenfeld's Product Development Process model. Functionality tests were carried out through experiments in a controlled environment in the laboratory. The prototype showed satisfactory results regarding the preservation of the urinary system closed during the bladder washing technique. It was possible to obtain specific pressures from the three-way IDC at three different moments: unobstructed catheter, partially obstructed catheter, and totally obstructed catheter. The results obtained demonstrate that the prototype can represent an innovative tool in the area of urology. It met the project's specifications and preserved the urinary system closed during the bladder washing. Moreover, it reduces the risk of urinary system contamination during the technique manipulation. Therefore, the present study showed that the prototype is fully safe regarding the pressures exerted inside the IDC. There is a need to carry out experimental tests in humans to prove the decrease of urinary tract contamination with the use of this prototype.