Analysis of Urine Flow in Three Different Ureter Models

Comput Math Methods Med. 2017:2017:5172641. doi: 10.1155/2017/5172641. Epub 2017 Jun 4.

Abstract

The ureter provides a way for urine to flow from the kidney to the bladder. Peristalsis in the ureter partially forces the urine flow, along with hydrostatic pressure. Ureteral diseases and a double J stent, which is commonly inserted in a ureteral stenosis or occlusion, disturb normal peristalsis. Ineffective or no peristalsis could make the contour of the ureter a tube, a funnel, or a combination of the two. In this study, we investigated urine flow in the abnormal situation. We made three different, curved tubular, funnel-shaped, and undulated ureter models that were based on human anatomy. A numerical analysis of the urine flow rate and pattern in the ureter was performed for a combination of the three different ureters, with and without a ureteral stenosis and with four different types of double J stents. The three ureters showed a difference in urine flow rate and pattern. Luminal flow rate was affected by ureter shape. The side holes of a double J stent played a different role in detour, which depended on ureter geometry.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Peristalsis
  • Stents
  • Ureter / anatomy & histology*
  • Ureter / physiology*