Silicone Oil Decreases Biofilm Formation in a Capacitance-Based Automatic Urine Measurement System

Capacitance-based automatic urine measurement is a validated technique already implemented in clinical practice. However, albuminuria and free hemoglobinuria cause progressive biofilm buildup on the capacitance sensors of the urinometers. The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the influence of albumin and free hemoglobin on the capacitance signal of an automatic urinometer with and without the addition of silicone oil. A solution of Ringer’s acetate mixed with either albumin or free hemoglobin was run through an automatic urinometer containing either a water-soluble capsule with silicone oil or not. In total, around 500 capacitance measurements were retrieved from the albumin and free hemoglobin group, respectively. The mean increase in capacitance in the albumin 3 g/L group was 257 ± 100 pF without and 105 ± 30 pF with silicone oil, respectively, during 24 h. After ten hours of recording, differences between the two albumin groups reached statistical significance. For the free hemoglobin groups (0.01 g/L), the mean increase in capacitance was 190 ± 170 pF with silicone oil, and 324 ± 80 pF without, with a significant difference between the groups after 20 h and onwards. Coating of the capacitance measurement membrane of the automatic urinometer by albumin or free hemoglobin was significantly decreased by silicone oil, prolonging the functionality of the device.