Automated Digital Uroflowmetry For Office and Home Use

摘要 尿流率测定是泌尿科医生进行的最常见的尿动力学检查，用于评估下尿路功能。 泌尿系统这项简单的非侵入性研究测量尿流率， 提供了各种类型的下尿路症状的见解。目前的系统要求病人排尿 进入带有漏斗的马桶，以引导尿液流入放置在数字秤上的容器中， 将其输出驱动到处理器中。处理器与打印机相连，打印机产生汇总数据 例如排空体积、峰值流量、平均流量、总排空时间，以及 在开始或完成排空后的20-30秒内的任何地方的流动曲线。医生或其 然后助理将清空容器，系统即可再次使用。传统上， 将打印的收集数据归档到纸质图表中。今天，这幅图被贴在第二张纸上， 病人的姓名和病历号，并将其扫描到电子记录中作为图像， 数据变得不可搜索。考虑到这种劳动强度大的过程，传统的尿流率测定是成熟的， 颠覆性创新 我们为这些物流问题提供硬件和软件解决方案。目前我们的专利正在申请中 原型尿流量计提供了以下好处：1）它可以与任何常规马桶一起使用（意味着它可以 可在办公室或家中使用，并且男性和女性均可使用），2）其自身排空， 3）数据是真实的实时采集的，并收集在智能手机或平板电脑上。在本申请中，我们寻求 支持开发软件，使该设备能够驱动其数据元素和图形 在电子病历中，将所有尿流汇总成一组流程图，并将其存储在电子病历中。这将允许 对于医生来说，随着时间的推移检查多个流以监测患者的进展， 每个单独的图像。一旦这一系统全面运作，我们设想这一系统将用于办公室， 家庭环境，并在评估下尿路症状的药物试验中发挥作用。瞬时 流速的检测也意味着它有可能在未来的生物反馈训练中应用， 有特殊下尿路症状的患者。

Abstract Uroflowmetry is the most common urodynamic test performed by urologists to assess the function of the lower urinary tract. This simple non-invasive study measures urinary flow rates and when summarized graphically offers insights into various types of lower urinary tract symptoms. Current systems call upon a patient to void into a commode with a funnel to direct the flow of urine into a vessel placed on a digital scale which in turn drives its output into a processor. The processor is connected to a printer which produces summary data such as voided volume, peak flow, average flow, total void time, as well as a graphical representation of the flow curve anywhere from 20-30 seconds after the void is initiated or completed. The physician or their assistant will then empty the vessel, and the system can be used again. Traditionally the paper containing the printed collected data was filed into a paper chart. Today this tracing is taped to a 2nd paper containing the patient’s name and medical record number, and this is scanned into the electronic record as an image and the data become non-searchable. Given this labor intense process, conventional uroflowmetry is ripe for disruptive innovation. We offer a hardware and software solution to these logistical problems. At this time our patent pending prototype uroflowmeter offers the following benefits: 1) it can be used with any regular toilet (meaning it can be used in an office setting or at home, and it can be used by both males and females), 2) it empties itself, and 3) the data are acquired in real time, and collected on a smart phone or tablet. In this application we seek support to develop the software that will allow this device to drive its data elements and the graphical summary into a set flowsheet in the electronic medical record where all uroflows will be stored. This will allow for a physician to review multiple flows over time to monitor a patient’s progress without having to open up each individual image. Once this system is fully operational we envision this system being used in office and home settings, and playing a role in drug trials that assess lower urinary tract symptoms. The instantaneous detection of flow rate also means it has the potential for future applications in biofeedback training for selected patients with specific lower urinary tract symptoms.