Membrane catheter: effective for recording pressure in lower urinary tract.

A membrane catheter operating on the principle of pressure transmission across a latex membrane and permitting simultaneous recording of intravesical and urethral pressure is presented. A single and double membrane model are described in detail. Their use for accurate recording of urethral pressure profile and sphincteric activity, and responses to progressive bladder filling at the initiation and during the act of voiding are discussed. This catheter is also useful in neurophysiologic experimental studies as a means to record detrusor and sphinteric responses to various drugs, nerve stimulation, blocking. It is superior to water and gas perfusion catheters.