Portable urinary incontinence management device

尿失禁（UI）和膀胱过度活动症（OAB）是影响数百万人生活质量的常见问题，主要是由于逼尿肌的过度活动。这是研究不足，并污名化。与许多常规方法相比，除了药物干预和膀胱导管插入术之外，功能性电刺激（FES），特别是经皮类型，对所有年龄的人都有吸引力。它几乎没有副作用，但仍然显示出相当的疗效。然而，当今的FES装置体积庞大，在操作期间需要辅助，并且不能长时间使用。我们打算创造一种简单的方法来使用FES设备针对OAB应用，老年人可以自己使用。该项目旨在开发一种可穿戴设备，帮助患者自我管理尿失禁。该设备将取决于使临床证明的经皮胫神经刺激（TTNS）可作为一种不引人注目的可穿戴设备（例如，袜子）。我们还将考虑使用可穿戴超声贴片监测膀胱的状态，并使用TTNS设备创建闭环。该项目依赖于尿失禁临床研究与可穿戴传感器/执行器新技术之间的密切合作。

Urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB) are common problems that influence the quality of life for millions of people, mostly due to overactivity of detrusor muscles. It is under-researched, and stigmatising. Compared to many conventional approaches, e.g., pharmacological intervention and bladder catheterisation, functional electrical stimulation (FES), especially the transcutaneous type, is attractive for people of all ages. It has few side effects but still shows comparable efficacy. However, today's FES devices are bulky, requires assistance during operation and cannot be used an extended period of time. We intend to create an easy way to use FES device targeted for OAB application that older people can use on their own.This project aims to develop a wearable device that helps patients self-manage urinary incontinence. The device will depend on making clinically proven transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) available as an un-obtrusive wearable device (e.g., a sock). We will also consider monitoring the state of the bladder using wearable ultrasound patch and create a closed-loop with the TTNS device. This project is dependent on close collaboration between clinical research in urinary incontinence and novel technologies in wearable sensor/actuator.