A novel in vitro urethra model to demonstrate bacterial displacement during urinary catheter insertion

Background: There is currently no standard established in vitro model to test the efficacy of intermittent catheters to prevent or control introduction/movement of bacteria into the urethra during device insertion. This study aimed to address this issue by developing a reproducible agar based in vitro urethral model. Method: A novel in vitro model and testing method was developed to quantify the displacement of bacterial growth after intermittent catheter insertion.The urethral model consists primarily of a preformed channel within a specifically formulated agar based matrix. The urethra model was inoculated at one side of the channel to act as the urethral meatus, a catheter was then inserted. After incubation the bacteria within the urethra channel was quantified. Results: Once optimised, the model produced reliable and reproducible results with both E. coli and S. aureus (P≥0.265). The model was used to test three different intermittent catheter types. When compared to the growth control there was a significant difference in bacterial distribution when inserting an uncoated (P≤0.001) or hydrophilic coated (P≤0.009) catheter; there was no significant difference when a prototype catheter was inserted with either bacterial species used (P≥0.423). Conclusion: These findings support the hypothesis that a single catheter insertion can initiate a catheter-associated urinary tract infection. The in vitro urethra model and associated methodology provide a new research tool for the development and validation of emerging technologies in urological healthcare.

Treatment of congenital spinal deformities in children: yesterday, today, tomorrow

The paper presents an unsystematized review of technologies, techniques and options for surgical treatment of congenital spinal deformities in children over the past 40 years. The main trends in the surgery of spinal deformities are highlighted: evolution of methods of visual diagnostic, treatment planning, and surgeon action control, introduction of adapted functional status scales and questionnaires for quality of life, hybridization of surgical techniques, evolution of spinal implants and instruments, and progress of anesthetic management. At the same time, new clinical and scientific problems are also discussed in the paper: questions of unifying terminology, planning the volume of treatment, the difficulty of comparing treatment methods and technologies, education, and integration.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEAN CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTERPRISES WITH SMALL SCALE PRODUCTION

This paper presents an algorithm that makes it possible to improve manufacturing process in an enterprise with small scale production. Today, Lean concept is more and more used in the process of improving production. Also, on the case of transmitters' production, implementation of Lean concept is analyzed based on the known principles. Credibility of the algorithm is reflected in giving recommendations on how to eliminate the short comings in the production process through transmitters: regular movement of employees, regular sequence of operations, products design, and cooperation with customers, reducing inventory and control introduction in all stages of the process. The paper gives an example of how to save material and other resources in the company.