Smart Urine Collection Bag With Force-Sensor Volume Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for collecting urine output (UO) data require patient compliance, consume valuable clinical time, and pose risks of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs.

Innovation Solution

A urine collection bag with integrated force sensors and circuitry to measure pressure or weight, determining urine volume based on specific gravity, and a wireless transmitter for automated data transmission to EMR systems, allowing continuous and accurate UO measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods (urine hats, bedside commodes, bedpans) are used to collect urine output data, then patient compliance is required, but patients are unable or unwilling to comply meticulously, leading to inaccurate data collection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine output measurement accuracyVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses external catheters that patients can self-manage along with automated sensors and wireless transmission that operate without continuous human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in collecting and transmitting urine output data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual visual measurement by clinicians is replaced with automated force sensors and electronic circuitry that automatically measure urine weight and calculate volume, eliminating human error and manual recording requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If clinicians visually measure and record urine output data manually, then measurement can be performed, but it consumes valuable clinical time and is prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine output measurement accuracyVSAvoidclinical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Manual visual measurement and recording is replaced with automated force sensors, microcontrollers, and wireless transmission systems that automatically measure, calculate, and transmit urine output data to EMR systems, eliminating manual intervention entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Automated sensors and electronic systems serve as intermediaries between the urine collection process and the medical records system, automatically transmitting data without requiring clinician intervention for measurement or recording

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If indwelling Foley catheters are used to accurately collect urine output, then accurate measurement is achieved, but patients are at increased risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine output measurement accuracyVSAvoidcatheter-associated urinary tract infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is extracted from the bladder (using external catheters instead of indwelling Foley catheters) while maintaining the ability to collect urine output data through alternative means (external collection with automated sensing)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

External catheters and collection systems are used as disposable or short-term solutions rather than long-term indwelling devices, reducing infection risk while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides continuous, accurate, and patient-compliant UO measurement, reducing human error and CAUTI risks, saving clinical time, and ensuring precise dosage adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more force sensors are configured to measure a pressure or a weight of the urine collected within the collection area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

The one or more force sensors comprise a resistive element operative to change resistance in response to a force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive effect: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

The PCB further comprises a low-pass filter operative to filter noise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS12408853B2Smart bag to measure urine output via catheter

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 CR BARD INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a urine collection bag, system, and methods directed to automated measurement of a quantity of urine. The urine collection system can include the urine collection bag, a catheter, and flexible drainage tubing. The urine collection bag can include a collection area, force sensors, and circuitry configured to determine the volume of urine in the collection area based on pressure or weight measured by the force sensors, and the specific gravity of the urine. The catheter may include a small female external catheter (FEC) with an opening on a top side, a wicking catheter with a wicking area on a top side, a finger-mountable catheter, or a male external catheter (MEC). The tubing may be secured to a patient's leg with a stabilization device or a fabric strap. The catheter can remain on a patient while the patient stands or walks.