A Novel Low-Cost Uroflowmetry for Patient Telemonitoring.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Devices
• Telehealth

Background:

• Uroflowmetry (UF) is essential for diagnosing benign prostatic obstruction (BPO), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• Telemedicine and telehealth have surged as cost-effective healthcare solutions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling remote patient management.
• Existing UF methods often require in-clinic visits, posing challenges for continuous patient monitoring and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics and performance of a novel, low-cost device for home-based uroflowmetry (UF).
• To evaluate the feasibility of using telehealth and a cloud-based platform for remote UF data collection and physician review.
• To assess the potential of this technology to transform urologic care by enabling cost-effective, continuous patient follow-up.

Main Methods:

• A novel, low-cost UF device utilizing a weight-transducer method (load cell and ADC) was developed.
• Data transmission to a cloud server is facilitated via SIM card or home Wi-Fi.
• A numerical algorithm was implemented for data filtering and simplification of the home measurement procedure, with results visualized on an online platform for physician access.

Main Results:

• The device accurately measures key uroflowmetry parameters: average flow rate, maximum flow rate, voided volume, and voiding time.
• Laboratory validation demonstrated excellent performance and reliability of the device.
• The online platform allows physicians to view and compare patient UF data remotely.

Conclusions:

• This home-based UF device, integrated with a telehealth platform, offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for managing BPO, LUTS, and BPH.
• The technology has the potential to revolutionize urologic practice by providing continuous patient monitoring and reducing the need for in-office visits.
• This approach enhances patient convenience and optimizes healthcare resource utilization.