Reduced Sliding Friction of Lubricant-Impregnated Catheters

During urethral catheterization, sliding friction can cause discomfort and even hemorrhaging. In this report, we use a lubricant-impregnated polydimethylsiloxane coating to reduce the sliding friction of a catheter. Using a pig urethra attached to a microforce testing system, we found that a lubricant-impregnated catheter reduces the sliding friction during insertion by more than a factor of two. This suggests that slippery, lubricant-impregnated surfaces have the potential to enhance patient comfort and safety during catheterization.