Smart Catheter for the Management of the Urinary Bladder in people with Spinal Cord Injury, Project SURCAT (Bath University): Prof Mark Tooley
Proposed Start date: 1st January 2026 – duration 18 months, total cost: £123,487
Research Team Lead: Prof Mark Tooley, Department for Health and School of Management (Centre for Healthcare Innovation and improvement), University of Bath
SUMMARY:
Project SURCAT proposes the design of an innovative device to clamp at the end of a standard urinary catheter. It comprises an electronic fail-safe valve and sensing apparatus; the valve will open after a designated time- period, if the bladder pressure is too high or, of particular importance, to reduce autonomic dysreflexia (a dangerous, sudden and severe rise in blood pressure), should there be a power failure.
The sensing device can detect any mechanical or biological blockage of the catheter. The advantages include simulating physiological micturition, thereby maintaining bladder capacity and also flushing out dead cells and debris, which can be a source of infection for anyone who is spinal cord injured (SCI).
Unfortunately, many catheters are left on ‘free drainage’, resulting in increased contact with the bladder mucosa and often causing damage to the bladder. In contrast, this automated device will reduce contact, provide a ‘flushing’ void, reducing the risk of bladder shrinkage, infection and thus decrease the psychological concerns over using a catheter. Prof Tooley’s innovative device is shown here: