Wearable Soft Microtube Sensors for Quantitative Home-Based Erectile Dysfunction Monitoring

Abstract

Quantifiable erectile dysfunction (ED) diagnosis involves the monitoring of rigidity and tumescence of the penile shaft during nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT). In this work, we introduce Erectile Dysfunction SENsor (EDSEN), a home-based wearable device for quantitative penile health monitoring based on stretchable microtubular sensing technology. Two types of sensors, the T- and R-sensors, are developed to effectively measure penile tumescence and rigidity, respectively. Conical models mimicking penile shaft were fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material, using different base to curing agent ratios to replicate the different hardness properties of a penile shaft. A theoretical buckling force chart for the different penile models is generated to determine sufficiency criteria for sexual intercourse. An average erect penile length and circumference requires at least a Young’s modulus of 179 kPa for optimal buckling force required for satisfactory sexual intercourse. The conical penile models were evaluated using EDSEN. Our results verified that the circumference of a penile shaft can be accurately measured by T-sensor and rigidity using the R-sensor. EDSEN provides a private and quantitative method to detect ED within the comfortable confines of the user’s home.

A comprehensive review of monitoring methods for erectile dysfunction diagnosis

“…61 This system incorporated a pair of microtubular sensors, a wireless wearable detector, and a smartwatch for monitoring REM sleep shown in Figure 3. 61 Two variations of microtubular sensors, each possessing distinct Young's moduli, were employed to measure electrical responses corresponding to the degree of penile erection. Sng et al demonstrated that EDSEN have the capability to quantitatively assess penile circumference and rigidity.…”

“…However, it is important to note that digital innovation and development in this field are still in the early stages, with many of these devices having undergone validation primarily through laboratory testing. [58][59][60][61] The presence of ED among a substantial number of younger men, coupled with its low diagnosis rate, underscores the importance of emphasizing preventive and predictive monitoring. 7,9,10 Digital health applications play a major role in preventive health which will eventually lead to better patient engagement and greater quality of life as demonstrated by Wiemer et al which uses a digital health app for ED.…”

“…Recent advancements in devices for monitoring nocturnal ED serve as an example of how technology has evolved, harnessing smart F I G U R E 3 Illustration of the erectile dysfunction sensor (EDSEN) device consisting of (1) a pair of microtubular sensors, (2) a wearable detector, and (3) a smartwatch for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep monitoring, image adopted from Sng et al The pair of microtubular sensors are used to detect penile tumescence and rigidity, the wireless detector and smartwatch will transfer data via Bluetooth to a phone or tablet for analysis. Reproduced from ref61 under a Creative Commons license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).…”

Digital health innovations in urology: telemedicine, wearables, and mobile applications – a systematic review of literature

“…For andrological purposes, Sng et al [36 ▪ ] developed the Erectile Dysfunction Sensor (EDSEN), a home-based wearable device for quantitative penile health monitoring based on stretchable microtubular sensing technology. To accurately measure penile tumescence and rigidity, respectively, the T and R-sensors have been developed.…”

Behavior of 3D Printed Stretchable Structured Sensors

“…Flexible piezoresistive sensors are commonly used in different applications such as healthcare, wearable devices [1][2][3], prosthetics [4,5], human physiological activity monitoring [6], and rehabilitation devices [7], as well as advanced technologies such as soft robotics [8,9] and human-machine interfaces [10]. The advancement in additive manufacturing of piezoresistive composite materials [11][12][13][14] offers design freedom for architected sensors.…”