Automated Digital Uroflowmetry For Office and Home Use

摘要 尿流率测定是泌尿科医生用来评估下尿路功能的最常见的尿流动力学检查。 尿路。这项简单的非侵入性研究测量尿流率，当以图形形式汇总时 提供对各种类型的下尿路症状的洞察。目前的系统要求患者排空 进入带有漏斗的便池，将尿流引导到放置在数字秤上的容器中，进而 将其输出驱动到处理器中。处理器连接到产生摘要数据的打印机 例如空化体积、峰值流量、平均流量、总空化时间，以及 在空隙开始或完成后20-30秒内的任何地方的流量曲线。医生或他们的 助手随后将清空容器，该系统可以再次使用。传统上，包含 打印的收集数据被归档到纸质图表中。今天，这一追踪被记录在第二张纸上，其中包含 病人的姓名和病历号码，并将其扫描到电子记录中作为图像和 数据变得不可搜索。考虑到这一劳动强度很大的过程，传统的尿流率测定方法适合 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。在这个时候我们的专利正在申请中 原型尿流量计具有以下优点：1)它可以与任何普通马桶一起使用(这意味着它可以 可在办公室或家中使用，男性和女性都可以使用)，2)它自己倒空， 3)实时采集数据，并在智能手机或平板电脑上收集。在本申请中，我们寻求 支持开发允许此设备驱动其数据元素和图形的软件 汇总到电子病历中的设定流程图，其中将存储所有尿流。这将允许 对于医生来说，可以在一段时间内检查多个流程，以监控患者的进展，而不必打开 每一个单独的图像。一旦这个系统完全运行，我们设想这个系统将在办公室和 家庭环境，并在评估下尿路症状的药物试验中发挥作用。《瞬间》 流速的检测也意味着它在未来的生物反馈训练中具有潜在的应用价值 有特定下尿路症状的患者。

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.