Towards Objective Programming in SNM Therapy: Development and Validation of a Pelvic Floor Measurement System.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Urology
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) is a key treatment for pelvic floor disorders.
• Current SNM programming relies on subjective patient feedback, limiting precision.
• Objective, real-time measurement of pelvic floor contractions is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a non-invasive system for quantifying pelvic floor contractions.
• To enhance clinical decision-making in SNM therapy programming.
• To improve the precision and efficiency of SNM therapy.

Main Methods:

• Development of a non-invasive, pressure-based sensor array system.
• User-friendly design prioritizing patient comfort and usability.
• Millisecond-level temporal resolution for precise measurement.

Main Results:

• Initial testing with healthy volunteers successfully detected and differentiated contractions.
• Identified and addressed limitations like movement artifacts and positioning variability.
• Optimized sensor placement and signal conditioning improved system performance.

Conclusions:

• The system offers objective, real-time pelvic floor contraction measurement.
• It has the potential to bridge the gap between clinical observation and therapy programming.
• Future validation in SNM patients could enhance therapy efficacy and personalization.