A consumer's guide to commercially available urodynamic equipment

Eight commercially available urodynamic machines from 6 major manufacturers (Aspen Medical, Dantec, Electro-Medical Supplies (EMS), Uro-gyn, Ormed and Wiest) were assessed for accuracy, construction and user-friendliness. There was less than 10% inaccuracy with regard to fill volume, void rate and pressure measurements. The Wiest 6000 plus system was between 11 and 14% inaccurate during voided volume measurement and other systems were less than 10% inaccurate. User-friendliness was assessed during routine cystometry and is mainly dependent on the software supplied with the equipment. The merits and faults of each urodynamic system with regard to performing a urodynamic investigation, running a urodynamic service and data management are compared with an "ideal" urodynamic system.