Expandable Female Urinary Device Probe with Integrated Uroflowmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Video Urodynamic Ultrasound tests face challenges with urine contamination and the inability to perform simultaneous diagnostic tests, leading to increased stress, hygiene issues, and higher costs due to the lack of control over urine flow during the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained Uroflowmetry device is integrated with the ultrasound transducer probe, featuring a urine-specimen-container with a check-valve and attachable urine-collection and test-strip containers, allowing for controlled urine collection and simultaneous data gathering, reducing contamination and enabling combined diagnostic tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional ultrasound transducer probe is used without urine flow control, then the procedure is simple to perform, but urine contamination occurs and hygiene issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
A collection funnel is introduced as an intermediary device between the patient's urethra and the ultrasound transducer probe. The funnel captures urine flow and redirects it into a collection container, preventing direct contact between urine and the probe or surrounding environment, thus eliminating contamination while maintaining procedural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The collection system is segmented into distinct functional components: a collection funnel for capturing urine, a collection container for storing it, and an ultrasound transducer probe for imaging. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the funnel and container handling urine management while the probe focuses on imaging
2Measurement precision
If separate Uroflowmetry test procedures are performed during separate visits, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound transducer probe and Uroflowmetry measurement capabilities are merged into a single integrated device. This allows both Video Urodynamic Ultrasound imaging and Uroflowmetry data collection (urine flow rate, duration, intervals, pressure, volume) to be performed simultaneously during one clinic visit, maintaining diagnostic accuracy while reducing time and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple diagnostic functions: it performs ultrasound imaging of the bladder and urethra, collects urine flow data for Uroflowmetry analysis, and monitors urine stream characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate testing procedures while providing comprehensive diagnostic information
3Productivity
If urine flow is allowed to flow freely during the procedure, then the procedure progresses quickly, but contamination and cleanup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The potentially harmful uncontrolled urine flow is converted into a beneficial controlled stream. The collection funnel captures the urine flow and directs it into a sealed collection container, transforming what would be a contamination risk into an organized collection process. This maintains procedural speed while eliminating cleanup requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A female urinary diagnostic device including a urine stream collection container having a discharge opening and a stream collection opening, the stream collection opening being configured to surround and isolate a urethral opening, a probe guide passage configured for interior engagement with a vaginal opening for placement of the stream collection opening relative to the urethral opening, and an internal baffle that defines an interior wall of the urine stream collection container that provides a spillway from the stream collection opening to the discharge opening and cooperates with at least a urine sensing device, where the spillway provides urine passage to the urine sensing device and a collection tank, wherein the internal baffle forms at least a portion of the probe guide passage and defines a sounding probe guide surface that positions a sounding probe within the vaginal opening.