Embodiments of the invention provide devices and systems to monitor fullness of a patient's bladder. One embodiment of a bladder fullness (BF) measure system comprises a sensor device (SD) and a controller. The SD generates an output signal (OS) based on the force exerted by the bladder against SD the wherein the OS corresponds to a degree of BF. The SD may be attached to the bladder wall or adjoining tissue and positioned between the bladder and the pubic bone such that the SD is not affected by tissues force other than that from the bladder. The controller connects to the SD and causes an associated implant to perform a function when the SD output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Embodiments are particularly useful for providing information on BF to patients suffering from spinal injury or other conditions whereby they have lost the ability to sense BF and/or voluntarily urinate.

The various embodiments disclosed here relate to systems, methods, and devices for monitoring bladder health. Certain implementations are directed to patients who require daily catheterization. The various embodiments have at least one tube coupled to a catheter, a pressure sensor, a pump, and a processor. Certain embodiments include a digital device with a software application capable of displaying the monitored readings.

An apparatus for determining the volume of urine in a human bladder is described. The apparatus uses light to determine the length of a flexible tube attached vertically to the outside of the bladder, and converts the length into a fullness value that is transmitted to an external device that notifies a user about the state of the bladder.

In some examples, a device includes a catheter insert elongated body defining a body lumen, the catheter insert elongated body being configured to be at least partially inserted to a catheter lumen defined by a catheter without covering a first fluid opening of the catheter and to form a fluidically tight coupling with the catheter, and one or more sensors positioned on the elongated body. At least one of the one or more sensors are configured to sense a substance of interest. The catheter insert elongated body includes a material that is a substantially non-permeable to the substance of interest.

A urinary catheter can be retained inside the body for extended periods. A catheter mating device can connect to the catheter to move the catheter inside of the body or remove it from the body. The catheter includes: (1) a tube having a lumen and an outer surface, (2) a retainer that may have an attachment portion attached to the tube and a flap or handle-shaped structure attached to the attachment portion, wherein the retainer has a first, contracted position and a second, extended position, and (3) an bladder retention structure at the catheter's distal end, wherein the bladder retention portion may comprise a flap or a handle-shaped portion and that has a first, compressed position and a second, extended position. The retainer and/or bladder retention structure each are configured to retain the catheter in the proper position inside of a user's body.

The test lab set-up includes a test flow bench for mounting one or more test devices, an adjustable nozzle for simulating urine flow, and a sensor for collecting data associated with the simulated urine flowing through the test device(s). A computing device for measuring and/or calculating various parameters associated with the simulated urine flow may also be included. The test device may have a shape corresponding to a handheld uroflowmeter subject to testing. The angle of the adjustable nozzle may be adjusted to test for various angles of urine flow. Similarly, the angle, pitch, and roll of the test device may be adjusted to test for various angles at which a uroflowmeter is held. As fluid flows through the test device, the sensor collects information such as, for example, flow rate, duration, volume, and the like. The sensor transmits the data collected to a computing device for additional processing.

Devices, methods, and systems for controlling a bladder of a subject are disclosed. For example, an apparatus for controlling the bladder can comprise a garment or accessory configured to be worn at least partially around a lower truncal region of a subject and a compression device coupled to the garment or accessory. The compression device can be configured to pressurize an abdominal wall of the subject when the garment or accessory is worn by the subject. The compression device can comprise a device housing having a contact surface, a device base, and an actuator. The actuator can translate the device housing in relation to the device base in a medial or lateral direction relative to the subject such that the contact surface of the device housing applies compressive forces to the abdominal wall of the subject when translated.

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.

In some examples, a medical device includes an elongated body defining an inner lumen. The medical device further includes an anchoring member and a first sensor at a proximal portion of the elongated body, and a second sensor at a distal portion of the elongated body or distal to a distal end of the elongated body. The second sensor is configured to sense a substance of interest and the elongated body comprises a material that is a substantially non-permeable to the substance of interest.

A method performed by a computer correlates vesicoelastic pressure data (10, 12, 14) with volume data and calculates vesicoelastic work performed by the bladder (20), wherein the amount of vesicoelastic work performed by the bladder (20) is determined by calculating an area under said vesicoelastic pressure data (10, 12, 14) when said vesicoelastic pressure data (10, 12, 14) is correlated against the volume data.