Devices, systems, and methods for sensing bladder fullness

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention provide devices and systems for monitoring a patient's bladder filling. One embodiment of a bladder filling (BF) measuring system comprises a sensor device (SD) and a controller. The SD generates an output signal (OS) based on the force exerted by the bladder on the SD, which corresponds to the degree of BF. The SD can be attached to the bladder wall or adjacent tissue and positioned between the bladder and the pubis so that the SD is not affected by other tissue forces from the bladder. The controller connects to the SD and causes the associated implant to perform a function when the SD output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Embodiments are particularly intended to provide information about BF to patients suffering from spinal cord injury or other conditions, thereby losing the ability to sense BF and / or voluntarily urinate. It is useful.