BIOMATERIALS LUBRICATED FOR MINIMUM FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE

To improve the frictional characteristics of a biomaterial, the mechan ical performance of a lubricated surface was studied. In vitro frictio n tests showed that the coefficient of dynamic friction of the lubrica ted surface was about 0.01 against rabbit bladder and the coefficient of static friction increased with the preload period. The efficacy of a lubricated cystoscope was evaluated by an in vivo test simulating cy stoscope operation. The maximal and the total resistance force on the cystoscope model were found to decrease with the surface lubrication. Histological study revealed that urethral damage caused by rubbing wit h the cystoscope model was reduced by this lubrication technique. Pres umably, prolonged retention of water on the lubricated surface region prevented tissue adhesion to the foreign material. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.