Development of an Imaging-Based Method for Analyzing Voided Urine Flow Using Conventional and High-Speed Video...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Conventional uroflowmetry is the standard for assessing lower urinary tract symptoms.
• There is a need for independent parameters to evaluate urinary tract pathology.
• Novel methods for dynamic urine flow analysis are being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if voided urine form parameters can independently assess lower urinary tract pathology.
• To evaluate a new method for dynamically measuring urine velocity and cross-sectional area (CA).

Main Methods:

• A male urethral phantom model was used with a high-speed video camera (HSVC) to record voided water.
• Voided water form parameters (LFT, LSW, VWA) were measured alongside uroflowmetry.
• Urethral deformities were simulated using silicone tube attachments.
• Dynamic velocity and CA of voided water were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Length to first twist (LFT) and length to scattered water (LSW) increased with pump speed and were sensitive to urethral strictures.
• Voided water angle (VWA) showed minor increases with simulated urethral deformity.
• Dynamic voided water velocity and CA increased with pump speed but were unaffected by simulated deformities at fixed flow rates.

Conclusions:

• LFT and LSW are novel parameters for evaluating lower urinary tract pathology, distinct from conventional uroflowmetry.
• Combining uroflowmetry with HSVC allows for non-invasive measurement of voided water velocity and CA.