Urine Flow Measurement Device with Capacitive Electrodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine flow measurement devices are inadequate for women and are often expensive, limiting their accessibility and effectiveness in diagnosing micturition disorders, which are more prevalent in women than men, and require specialized equipment and invasive testing.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a truncated pyramid-shaped container with capacitive electrodes and sensors for precise urine flow measurement, capable of home use by both men and women, featuring a holder for versatile installation, and integrated sensors for temperature, movement, and spectrophotometric analysis to provide comprehensive diagnostic data without the need for specialized urodynamic examinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional urine flow measurement devices are used, then measurement capability is provided, but they are suitable only for men and exclude women from accurate diagnostics
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with a universal collection container and positioning system that accommodates both male and female anatomical differences. The container shape, opening size, and placement mechanisms are engineered to work effectively for all users regardless of gender, enabling the same device to serve multiple population groups accurately.
2Measurement precision
If specialized urodynamic examination equipment is used, then comprehensive diagnostic capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the diagnostic function into multiple independent sensors that measure different parameters (flow rate, volume, temperature, spectral properties). Each sensor is simple and independent, but together they provide comprehensive diagnostic capability that would otherwise require complex specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
A single device integrates multiple sensing capabilities (capacitive electrodes for flow and volume, temperature sensors, spectrophotometric sensors) to perform comprehensive urological diagnostics that traditionally required separate specialized devices and procedures.
3Measurement precision
If multiple urine flow measurements are taken for precise diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but time consumption and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device continuously records multiple parameters (flow rate, volume, temperature, spectral data) simultaneously throughout the entire urination process. This continuous multi-parameter monitoring provides comprehensive diagnostic information from a single measurement event, eliminating the need for multiple separate tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges multiple measurement functions (uroflowmetry, volumetry, thermometry, spectrophotometry) into a single integrated system that collects all diagnostic data during one urination event, maximizing information gain while minimizing time and patient burden.
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
Enables reliable, affordable, and comprehensive urine flow measurements in home and clinical settings, facilitating objective monitoring of micturition disorders and treatment efficacy, allowing for basic diagnostics and monitoring of urinary health without specialized equipment.
Implementation Method 1
at least on three, preferably each of the sides of the inner container is on the outer surface provided with at least one, preferably two capacitive electrodes with a shield, arranged to detect the level of fluid on each of the sides with electrodes
Implementation Method 2
preferably at least one temperature sensor arranged to detect urine temperature
Implementation Method 3
preferably at least one sensor for sensing movement and tilting of the device, preferably an accelerometer and a gyroscope
Implementation Method 4
preferably spectrophotometric sensor 7, which protrudes through the bottom 1b into the interior of the device and is arranged to perform spectrophotometric analysis of the fluid collected in the device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device for measuring urine flow comprises at least two containers, inner and outer, wherein: - the inner and the outer container are shaped as a truncated pyramid or truncated prism with at least three sides, and the inner container is arranged to be installed inside the outer container, wherein the inner and the outer container may be separate pieces or may be joined in one piece having said shape, - the outer container has an elongated neck and a bottom for receiving the inner container, wherein the inner container ends with an inner bottom arranged to collect urine, wherein the said inner bottom is provided with electronics for operation of the device, - at least on three, preferably on each of the sides of the inner container is on the outer surface provided with at least one, preferably two capacitive electrodes arranged to detect the level of fluid on each of the sides with electrodes, - at least one sensor for sensing movement and tilting of the device, and at least one temperature sensor arranged to detect urine temperature, and optionally an acoustic sensor and/or spectrophotometric device.