Video Voiding Device for Diagnosing Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Men

Abstract

We introduce a novel diagnostic Visual Voiding Device (VVD), which has the ability to visually document urinary voiding events and calculate key voiding parameters such as instantaneous flow rate. The observation of the urinary voiding process along with the instantaneous flow rate can be used to diagnose symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (LUTD) and improve evaluation of LUTD treatments by providing subsequent follow-up documentations of voiding events after treatments. The VVD enables a patient to have a urinary voiding event in privacy while a urologist monitors, processes, and documents the event from a distance. The VVD consists of two orthogonal cameras which are used to visualize urine leakage from the urethral meatus, urine stream trajectory, and its break-up into droplets. A third, lower back camera monitors a funnel topped cylinder where urine accumulates that contains a floater for accurate readings regardless of the urine color. Software then processes the change in level of accumulating urine in the cylinder and the visual flow properties to calculate urological parameters. Video playback allows for reexamination of the voiding process. The proposed device was tested by integrating a mass flowmeter into the setup and simultaneously measuring the instantaneous flow rate of a predetermined voided volume in order to verify the accuracy of VVD compared to the mass flowmeter. The VVD and mass flowmeter were found to have an accuracy of ±2 and ±3% relative to full scale, respectively. A VVD clinical trial was conducted on 16 healthy male volunteers ages 23–65.

A Novel Mobile Acoustic Uroflowmetry: Comparison With Contemporary Uroflowmetry

“…The need for a comfortable, convenient, and even portable, home-based device has led to the development of novel uroflowmetry technology. These advancements include soundbased uroflowmetry, optical uroflowmetry, and video-based voiding devices [3][4][5][6].…”

Validity and reliability of a home-based, guardian-conducted video voiding test for voiding evaluation after hypospadias surgery

“…For diagnosing lower urinary tract dysfunction in male patients, one article previously introduced a novel video voiding device to document key voiding parameters like instantaneous flow rate [13]. However, use of that device is not practical at home.…”

Comparative study of mobile acoustic uroflowmetry and conventional uroflowmetry: A systematic review and meta analysis

“…Latest uroflowmetry technologies have been developed in response to the need for easy and portable home devices. These advancements include mobile acoustic uroflowmetry (sonouroflowmetry), optical uroflowmetry, and video‐based emptying devices 2–4 . In contrast to the standard approach, acoustic uroflowmetry may be done at home using a smartphone rather than an outpatient clinic‐based uroflowmetry 5 .…”

“…These advancements include mobile acoustic uroflowmetry (sonouroflowmetry), optical uroflowmetry, and video-based emptying devices. [2][3][4] In contrast to the standard approach, acoustic uroflowmetry may be done at home using a smartphone rather than an outpatient clinic-based uroflowmetry. 5 The method's actual strength is in its adaptability and simplicity.…”