Abstract: PNFLBA-05
Sources of Funding: Teleflex Inc.

Introduction

Many studies have looked at infection and encrustation resistance capabilities of commercial 'polyurethane' (PU) compared to silicone [Tunney et al., 1996; Gorman et al., 1998; Bithles, 2004], but few have specified the exact PU composition [Park et al., 2002] and none have considered multiple subtypes. _x000D_ _x000D_ The objective of this study was to determine the amount of encrustation formed on multiple PU subtypes compared to silicone._x000D_

Methods

A continuous flow in vitro model of the bladder was built and validated, and the widely accepted artificial urine formulation by Tunney et al was chosen [5]. Experiments were done in duplicate, testing commercial polycarbonate PU, polyether PU, and polyester PU against silicone, the gold standard (n = 4). Over five days with daily solution refresh, measurements for calcium encrustation content were taken via o-Cresolphthalein (oCPC) method. One-way ANOVA and Fisher's Pairwise Comparison were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Results showed significant reductions of encrustation on polyether PU and polyester PU compared to silicone (p-values < .0001) and similar levels of encrustation on polycarbonate PU compared to silicone (p-values < .510).

Conclusions

This study showed how polycarbonate PU encrusted much more than polyether and polyester PU, though all three are called 'polyurethane.' Furthermore, results suggest polyester and polyether PU perform better than silicone in terms of encrustation resistance. Future work includes clinical trials to confirm results. _x000D_ _x000D_ Note: The first experiment was done before the submission deadline and the duplicate experiment was done after the submission deadline to confirm findings.

Funding

Teleflex Inc.