Advancing Towards a Wearable Ultrasound Sensor for Real-Time Bladder Volume Monitoring to Reduce Catheterization in Surgical Settings

Bladder monitoring is a critical component in urological care, particularly for managing conditions like Neurogenic bladder and reducing the frequency of catheterization. Urethral catheterization (UC), while being the standard protocol for measuring urine output in critically ill and perioperative patients, is underscored by the CDC as a risky. Our research introduces the bladder volume measurement wearable ultrasound sensor (BV-WUS), a real-time wearable ultrasound sensor designed to curtail the need for catheterization. The BV-WUS is a 32-channel development platform, chosen for demonstration purposes and to align with the capabilities of the available evaluation boards. While this number of channels is not ideal, it serves as a starting point for further development. The BV-WUS sensor, designed for bladder monitoring, utilizes a low frame rate due to the low rate of bladder volume change, leading to reduced power consumption of only 0.125 W and extended battery life. This design, combined with efficient data communication and a low-power FPGA for processing, is further enhanced by wireless connectivity, offering a technologically advanced, energy-efficient solution for real-time bladder volume monitoring. A future version envisions a 3D transducer that can rotate for comprehensive bladder imaging. The BV-WUS platform represents a proof of concept for a wearable bladder monitor, addressing the limitations of current technologies. This innovation offers a new direction in bladder volume monitoring, aiming to reduce the risks and costs associated with traditional catheterization methods..