Urethral tissue characterization using multiparametric ultrasound imaging.

A decrease in urethral closure pressure is one of the primary causes of stress urinary incontinence in women. Atrophy of the urethral muscles is a primary factor in the 15 % age-related decline in urethral closure pressure per decade. Incontinence not only affects the well-being of women but is also a leading cause of nursing home admission.

A Comparative Study of Commercially Available Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Sub-harmonic-Aided Pressure Estimation (SHAPE) in a Bladder Phantom.

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of different commercial ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MBs) when measuring bladder phantom pressure with sub-harmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) methodology. We hypothesized that SHAPE performance is dependent on MB formulation. This study aimed to advance the SHAPE application for bladder pressure measurements in humans.

Peristalsis prevents ureteral dilation.

Purpose: The etiology of ureteral dilation in primary nonrefluxing, nonobstructing megaureters is still not well understood. Impaired ureteral peristalsis has been theorized as one of the contributing factors. However, ureteral peristalsis and its "normal" function is not well defined.

Ultrasound Contrast Stability for Urinary Bladder Pressure Measurement.

The goal of this study was to evaluate ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MB) stability during a typical cystometrogram (CMG) for bladder pressure measurement application using the subharmonic-aided pressure estimation technique. A detailed study of MB stability was required given two unique characteristics of this application: first, bulk infusion of MBs into the bladder through the CMG infusion system, and second, duration of a typical CMG which may last up to 30 min. To do so, a series of size measurement and contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging studies under different conditions were performed and the effects of variables that we hypothesized have an effect on MB stability, namely, i) IV bag air headspace, ii) MB dilution factor, and iii) CMG infusion system were investigated.

Pressure Measurement in a Bladder Phantom Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography-A Path to a Catheter-Free Voiding Cystometrogram.

Objectives: The long-term goal of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a novel, ultrasound-based technique called subharmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) to measure bladder pressure as a part of a cystometrogram (CMG) in a urodynamic test (ie, pressure-flow study). SHAPE is based on the principle that subharmonic emissions from ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MBs) decrease linearly with an increase in ambient pressure. We hypothesize that, using the SHAPE technique, we can measure voiding bladder pressure catheter-free.

Ureterovesical junction deformation during urine storage in the bladder and the effect on vesicoureteral reflux.

The motivation behind this study is to understand how ureterovesical junction (UVJ) deformation during urine storage in the bladder affects vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), when urine flows backward from the bladder toward the kidneys. Using nonlinear, large deformation finite element simulations, the deformation of the bladder wall during urine storage is modeled in this study. The bladder wall is assumed to be a homogeneous, isotropic, hyperelastic spherical shell with a finite thickness.

The 5:1 rule overestimates the needed tunnel length during ureteral reimplantation.

Aims: Paquin asserts that in order for ureterovesical junctions (UVJs) to prevent reflux, the ureteral tunnel length-to-diameter ratio needs to be 5:1. We hypothesize that the surgical implementation of this observation results in an overestimation of the needed length-to-diameter ratio to prevent vesicoureteral reflux.

Methods: With finite elements, we model the urine storage phase of the bladder under nonlinear conditions.

A Non-Linear Model of an All-Elastomer, in-Plane, Capacitive, Tactile Sensor Under the Application of Normal Forces.

In this work, a large deformation, non-linear semi-analytical model for an all-elastomer, capacitive tactile unit-sensor is developed. The model is capable of predicting the response of such sensors over their entire sensing range under the application of normal forces. In doing so the finite flat punch indentation model developed earlier is integrated with a capacitance model to predict the change-in-capacitance as a function of applied normal forces.