Modelling crystal aggregation and deposition in the catheterised lower urinary tract

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2009

Abstract

Urethral catheters often become encrusted with crystals of magnesium struvite and calcium phosphate. The encrustation can block the catheter, which can cause urine retention in the bladder and reflux into the kidneys. We develop a mathematical model to investigate crystal deposition on the catheter surface, modelling the bladder as a reservoir of fluid and the urethral catheter as a rigid channel. At a constant rate, fluid containing crystal particles of unit size enters the reservoir, and flows from the reservoir through the channel and out of the system. The crystal particles aggregate, which we model using Becker-Döring coagulation theory, and are advected through the channel, where they continue to aggregate and are deposited on the channel's walls. Inhibitor particles also enter the reservoir, and can bind to the crystals, preventing further aggregation and deposition. The crystal concentrations are spatially homogeneous in the reservoir, whereas the channel concentrations vary spatially as a result of advection, diffusion and deposition. We investigate the effect of inhibitor particles on the amount of deposition. For all parameter values, we find that crystals deposit along the full length of the channel, with maximum deposition close to the channel's entrance. © The Author(s) 2009.

Identifier

70350630750 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Mathematical Biology

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00285-009-0253-z

e-ISSN

14321416

ISSN

03036812

PubMed ID

19247657

First Page

809

Last Page

840

Issue

6

Volume

59

Fund Ref

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

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