Bladder Event Detection Using Wavelet Transform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing urinary incontinence and treating lower urinary tract dysfunction are invasive, uncomfortable, and lack effective closed-loop neuromodulation, relying on two-sensor systems and open-loop electrical stimulation that may become less effective over time due to habituation.
Innovation Solution
A system using a single bladder pressure sensor that applies low-pass filtering, multi-level discrete wavelet transforms, and adaptive thresholding to categorize bladder events as voiding, non-voiding, or non-contraction events, enabling personalized neuromodulation and reducing the need for continuous stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-sensor system is used for extended ambulatory urodynamics testing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the abdominal pressure measurement function from the traditional two-sensor system and removes it, relying solely on bladder pressure sensor data processed through wavelet transform to derive all necessary urodynamic information. This eliminates the need for the second sensor while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical two-sensor measurement system with a signal processing-based approach using discrete wavelet transform. Instead of mechanically measuring multiple parameters simultaneously, the system processes single-sensor data through mathematical transformations to extract multiple urodynamic parameters.
2Ease of operation
If open-loop electrical stimulation is used for bladder control, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to habituation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements closed-loop feedback control by continuously monitoring bladder pressure and detecting contraction events through wavelet transform. The system automatically adjusts stimulation delivery based on real-time detection of bladder state, providing feedback that prevents habituation and maintains long-term effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic assessment of bladder contractions through continuous signal monitoring and applies stimulation in response to detected events rather than continuous operation. This event-driven periodic action maintains effectiveness by avoiding continuous exposure that leads to habituation.
3Reliability
If continuous electrical stimulation is applied, then reliability of bladder control is improved, but loss of energy is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers electrical stimulation periodically based on detected bladder contraction events rather than continuously. The wavelet-based detection system identifies specific moments when stimulation is needed, enabling energy-efficient intermittent delivery that maintains control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the bladder's own physiological signals (contraction events detected through pressure changes) to trigger stimulation delivery. This self-service approach ensures stimulation is applied only when naturally needed, optimizing both reliability and energy efficiency without external intervention.
4Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for bladder monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical advantage of multiple physical sensors with a mathematical signal processing system. Discrete wavelet transform decomposes the single sensor's pressure signal into multiple frequency components, allowing extraction of multiple urodynamic parameters from one sensor's data, thereby maintaining precision while reducing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter space by transforming time-domain pressure signals into frequency-domain representations through wavelet transform. This parameter transformation allows a single sensor to provide information that would traditionally require multiple sensors measuring different physical parameters simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to using detected bladder events for the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. A system includes a sensing device comprising a pressure sensor to directly detect a pressure within a bladder. The sensing device is adapted to be located within the bladder. The system also includes a signal processing device to: receive a signal indicating the detected pressure within the bladder; detect a bladder event based the detected pressure within the signal; and characterize the bladder event as a bladder contraction event or a non-contraction event. The characterization of the bladder event can be used in the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.