AI-enabled Portable Incontinence Management Device

膀胱过度活动是一种常见的疾病，尤其是在老年人中。它会导致尿失禁（UI），并影响约40%的75岁以上人群的生活质量（英国有600万人）。人们通常认为这是衰老的自然过程，并没有积极寻求任何治疗。然而，失语症是老年人缺乏信心，放弃独立生活而搬到养老院的主要因素之一。治疗尿失禁的传统方法，如药物和膀胱导尿，有几种副作用（如口干、便秘、意识不清）。侵入性电刺激胫神经（踝关节周围）是一种公认的替代治疗方法。但是将电极针插入腿部会很痛苦。最近，这种方法的非侵入性版本已被证明对老年人是成功的。但是，在为期两个月的时间内，每周进行多次医院访问。如此漫长的治疗过程导致依从性降低，特别是对于已经接受UI作为其生活一部分的体弱老年人。我们提出了一种仪器袜子，使用者可以舒适地穿着一整天，而编织在其中的电极将在必要时刺激胫骨神经。刺激参数将使用临床医生设置的基于人工智能的算法（通过智能手机）。该系统可以在更大范围的人群中试用，无需手术或反复就诊。因此，用户将有更大的隐私和灵活性管理失禁。

An overactive bladder is a common medical condition, particularly among the elderly. It leads to urinary incontinence (UI) and influences the quality of life for around 40% of those above 75 (>6million people in UK). People often consider this as a natural progression to old age and do not actively seek any treatment. However, UI is one of the main factors why the elderly lack confidence and give up their independence to move to care homes. Conventional approaches to treat UI, e.g., drugs and bladder-catheterisation have several side effects (e.g., dry-mouth, constipation, confusion). Invasive electrical stimulation of the Tibial nerve (around the ankle) is an established alternative treatment. But a needle electrode inserted into the leg can be painful and distressing. Recently, a non-invasive version of this method has been demonstrated to be successful for older adults. However, it comprises multiple hospital visits per week over a duration of 2 months. Such a long treatment process leads to reduced adherence especially for the frail elderly who have already accepted UI to be a part of their life. We propose an instrumented sock that the user can wear comfortably throughout the day, while electrodes weaved into it will stimulate the tibial nerve when necessary. The stimulation parameters will use an AI-based algorithm (via a smartphone) set by the clinician. The proposed system can be tried by a larger section of the population without surgery or repeated hospital visits. Hence, users will have much greater privacy and flexibility in managing incontinence.