Bladder Management System with Optical Fluid Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with neurogenic bladder face challenges with urinary incontinence and retention due to lack of bladder control, leading to discomfort, infection risks, and inefficiencies in current catheterization methods, which often result in urinary tract infections and tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system comprising a catheter with a valve and pump, along with an external controller, sensors, and sterilization capabilities, that allows for controlled voiding, infection detection, and prevention, reducing the need for frequent catheterization and minimizing infection risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If intermittent catheterization is performed frequently to empty the bladder, then bladder pressure control is improved, but infection risk and tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sensing of bladder fullness and automatically initiates catheterization before the bladder becomes overfilled, preventing the need for frequent emergency catheterizations. The controller monitors bladder volume continuously and triggers catheter insertion only when necessary, based on predetermined thresholds
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback on bladder volume and catheterization status to the controller, which adjusts the catheterization schedule accordingly. This closed-loop control prevents both over-catheterization and under-catheterization, optimizing the balance between pressure control and infection prevention
2Reliability
If catheterization is performed on a timed schedule, then bladder emptying is ensured, but patient comfort and quality of life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed-schedule catheterization approach to a dynamic, demand-driven system. The catheterization timing is continuously adjusted based on real-time bladder volume measurements, ensuring reliable emptying only when actually needed rather than according to a rigid timetable
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic self-catheterization through a programmable controller that autonomously monitors bladder fullness and initiates catheterization procedures without requiring patient decision-making or manual scheduling, thereby maintaining reliable bladder emptying while significantly improving patient comfort
3Ease of operation
If residual urine remains in the bladder to reduce catheterization frequency, then patient comfort improves, but infection risk increases due to stagnant urine
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the target bladder emptying threshold based on individual patient parameters such as bladder capacity, infection history, and activity level. By optimizing the residual volume parameter within safe limits, the system maintains patient comfort while minimizing infection risk through personalized parameter tuning
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an external bladder management system that is configured to reside within a urine collection receptacle (e.g., a toilet) includes a body that houses a fluid testing chamber. The fluid testing chamber is fluidically coupled to a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The system further includes a fluid capturing funnel fluidically coupled to and extending from the body and configured to couple the body to the urine collection receptacle. The system further includes an optical sensor disposed within the body and including (1) an emitter configured to convey light across the fluid testing chamber, and (2) an optical detector capable of measuring an intensity of the light as the light exits the fluid testing chamber. The fluid inlet, fluid testing chamber, and fluid outlet are collectively configured to encourage a laminar flow profile of the fluid as it flows through the fluid testing chamber.