A New Technique for Measurements of the Urethra Pressure Profile

Abstract
A new standardized technique for continuous recording of the urethral pressure profile simultaneously with intravesical pressure has been developed. The pressures were recorded using two micro-transducers enclosed in a thin Dacron catheter. The catheter moved with a constant speed through the urethra with the aid of a specially designed instrument. This instrument is described. Twenty-five healthy women were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: (A) 10 post-menopausal women, and (B) 15 fertile women. The results of the recordings showed that the functional length and the absolute length of the urethra could be reproduced with an error of >1 mm. The maximal pressure amplitude was significantly less in group A.