Two methods are proposed in order to continuously monitor the bladder volume.
Description
The sensations that alert a normal person that his bladder is full, are either significantly reduced or completely absent for patients suffering from bladder dysfunctions. Thus, the risk of bladder overfilling is high for such patient and that can lead to severe consequences such as a high infection rate and stone formation. Current methods, such as intermittent catheterization based on carrying out on a time basis with precise time intervals, are not optimum. Monitoring the bladder volume and pressure while detecting specific thresholds would be useful in preventing bladder overfilling or urinary incontinence.
Two methods are proposed in order to continuously monitor the bladder volume:
1. By using a stretch sensor inside the bladder wall. This method estimates the bladder volume and/or pressure by means of stretch sensors coupled to the bladder wall. This method may be used in a stand-alone implanted device to send monitored information wirelessly outside the body, or implemented within an implanted bladder stimulation device to provide a continuous or intermittent feedback.
2. By monitoring the activity related to the bladder afferent nerves. In this second method, an electronic circuit estimates, in real-time, the bladder volume from the afferent nerve activities.
Oct. 1, 2007
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