Quantification of User and Manufacturer Variabilities in Urinary Catheter Anchoring Balloon Inflation and Mitigation of Variability by Flow Resistance

Objective To quantify user variability and manufacturer variability in urinary catheter anchoring balloon inflation pressure and to mitigate any significant variance by incorporating flow resistance into the anchoring balloon inflation process. Methods Inflation of a urinary catheter anchoring balloon was performed at atmospheric pressure by different users (n = 8) to investigate user variability. A calibrated pressure transducer measured inflation pressures, and a video extensometer measured balloon inflation profiles. Manufacturer variability was investigated by applying constant forces to the plunger of conventional syringes to mimic “heavy-,” “intermediate-,” and “light”-handed users for 3 brands of catheter. Flow restrictors of variable reduced cross-sectional areas were introduced to the outflow of the inflation syringes to investigate the effect of flow resistance on anchoring balloon inflation profiles. Results Variations in maximum inflation pressures (range: 75-355 kPa) were observed among the different users. There were no significant differences in maximum inflation pressure between brands at any of the 3 simulated hand forces (P =.97). Increasing the flow resistance significantly reduces the applicable inflation pressure of all hand forces (P <.001). Specifically, the difference in inflation pressure between heavy- and light-handed forces is reduced from over 405 kPa to under 65 kPa. Introducing flow resistance does not result in a significant difference in inflation pressure between brands (P =.254). Conclusion There is significant user variability in urinary catheter balloon inflation pressure. This variation can be significantly reduced by introducing flow resistance to the inflation technique.