Proof-of-Concept of Microwave-Based Bladder State Detection Using Realistic Pelvic Models

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Urinary incontinence (UI) significantly impacts quality of life, necessitating improved management tools.
• Current monitoring methods for UI can be invasive or lack real-time feedback.
• Microwave technology offers a potential non-invasive approach for bladder volume monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of using microwave measurements for bladder volume monitoring.
• To develop and test realistic computational and experimental models of the pelvic region for microwave bladder monitoring.
• To assess the effectiveness of microwave technology in detecting bladder fullness and state.

Main Methods:

• Utilized realistic computational and experimental models of male and female pelvic regions with anatomically accurate tissues.
• Examined both reflection and transmission-based microwave parameters for bladder fullness detection.
• Investigated the influence of urine permittivity on microwave measurements.
• Reconstructed differential radar images to demonstrate bladder state detection.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the ability to detect bladder fullness using microwave reflection and transmission parameters.
• Quantified the effect of urine permittivity on microwave signal characteristics.
• Successfully reconstructed differential radar images, proving the concept of bladder state detection.
• Validated the potential of microwave measurements in realistic pelvic models.

Conclusions:

• Microwave measurements show significant potential for accurate and non-invasive bladder state monitoring.
• This technology could provide a proactive, low-cost solution for individuals with urinary incontinence.
• Further development could lead to practical devices for real-time bladder volume assessment.