AI-enabled Portable Incontinence Management Device

膀胱过度活动症是一种常见的医疗状况，特别是在老年人中。它会导致尿失禁（UI），并影响75岁以上人群中约40%（英国超过600万人）的生活质量。人们通常认为这是自然的衰老过程，并不积极寻求任何治疗。然而，UI是老年人缺乏信心并放弃独立而搬到养老院的主要因素之一。治疗UI的常规方法，例如，药物和膀胱导管插入术具有若干副作用（例如，口干、便秘、意识模糊）。胫神经（踝关节周围）的侵入性电刺激是一种既定的替代治疗方法。但是，针电极插入腿部可能会疼痛和痛苦。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，它包括在2个月内每周多次到医院就诊。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成为其生活一部分的体弱老年人。我们提出了一种仪器袜子，用户可以穿着舒适的一整天，而电极编织到它将刺激胫神经在必要时。刺激参数将使用由临床医生设置的基于AI的算法（通过智能手机）。拟议的系统可以由更大部分的人口试用，而无需手术或反复住院。因此，用户在管理失禁方面将具有更大的隐私和灵活性。

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.