International Journal of
Biological Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0976-1519, Vol. 07, No. 01, March 2016
Real Time Study of Urine Flow Analysis
NIVEDHA S.1, DHANALAKSHMI R.1 KAMALAKANNAN S2
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Alpha College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Department of Chemistry, Alpha College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract: In this paper the design and fabrication of a pc interface for real- time study of urineflow analysis by
using uroflowmetry is discussed which is a microcontroller based system programmed using 8051.
Uroflowmetry is a non-invasive screening test used to measure the flow of urine during urination. The speed of
urine flow is measured electronically and the flow is calculated as milliliters of urine passed per second which is
done using software. Visual C++ is chosen because of its ability to create a graphical user interface thus
eliminating the need of writing numerous lines of codes to describe the appearance and location of elements.
The flow rate values are displayed as a graph and this helps in accurate evaluation of the disorders which can be
due to an obstruction or urinary retention problem.
Keywords: Uroflowmeter, Qmax, UTI’s, Uroflow patterns, Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Introduction:
Urodynamics refers to a group of diagnostic
procedures that are performed to evaluate voiding
disorders. The goal of diagnosis and treatment of
these disorders is to protect the kidneys and Keep the
patient dry. The Parameters that are measured during
a Urodynamics procedure can include Pressure and
Flow
Fig.1 Urinary tract
Urodynamics are primarily performed for evaluation
of the urinary tract. Urodynamics is the term that
describes a series of diagnostic tests used to evaluate
voiding disorders. These tests will provide answers to
clinical questions that arise about a patient's bladder
and outlet function, after they have visited the
physician with specific complaints
Flow Patterns:
There is no special technique to quantify flow
patterns, they must be judged clinically by the
classification. Uroflow however cannot absolutely
diagnose a specific voiding dysfunction but rather
suggest what the problem may be or, in most cases,
prompt further evaluation. Uroflow patterns have
been classified in several different ways. A normal
uroflow patterns is a continuous, usually bell-shaped
smooth curve with slight to moderate asymmetry, and
any fluctuations in the smooth voiding curve are
usually due to abdominal strain or sphineteric
activity. Normal curve has been described as rapidly
increasing flow rate, reaching one third of voiding
time where voided volume is reached before total
voiding time is reached in only one third of voiding
time. Flow is the standard of measuring all
characteristics of urine passed in the uroflowmeter. A
Flow study is typically performed immediately after
the uroflowmeter. To obtain optimum results, the
study should be performed with a weight transducer,
to prevent flow obstruction artifact. Abnormally high
voiding indicates outflow tract obstruction. And
voiding commonly occurs with a low voiding
pressure . A poorly sustained voiding may be related
to a failing detrusor. An unsustaied voiding is likely
to lead to residual urine. The detrusor flow usually
falls as the sphincter is relaxed and voiding begins.
Fluctuating detrusor contractions result in an
irregular flow. This situation occurs most often in
neurologically abnormal patients, particularly those
with multiple sclerosis. The abdominal flow patterns
can be described in many different ways.
Parameters
Renal Blood Flow
Hematocrit
Renal Plasma Flow
Filtration Fraction
Glomerular Filtration Rate
Value
Rbf=1000ml/Min
Hct=40%
Rpf=600ml/Min
Ff=20%
Gfr=120ml/Min
Urine Flow Rate
V=1ml/Min
Uroflowmetry:
It is a simple, diagnostic screening procedure used to
calculate the flow rate of urine over time. The test is
noninvasive (the skin is not pierced), and may be
used to assess bladder and sphincter function.
Uroflowmetry is performed by having a person
urinate into a special funnel that is connected to a
measuring instrument. The measuring instrument
calculates the amount of urine, rate of flow in
seconds, and length of time until completion of the
void. This information is converted into a graph and
interpreted by a physician.
IJBSE 070102 Copyright © 2016 BASHA RESEARCH CENTRE. All rights reserved
NIVEDHA S., DHANALAKSHMI R., KAMALAKANNAN S.
The information helps evaluate function of the lower
urinary tract or help determine if there is an
obstruction of normal urine outflow. During normal
urination, the initial urine stream starts slowly but
almost immediately speeds up until the bladder is
nearly empty. The urine flow then slows again until
the bladder is empty. In persons with a urinary tract
obstruction, this pattern of flow is altered, and
increases and decreases more gradually. The
Uroflowmeter graphs this information, taking into
account the person’s gender and age. Depending on
the results of the procedure, other tests may be
recommended by your physician. Uroflowmetry is a
useful Urodynamic tool for the objective assessment
of infravesical obstruction, and is helpful in the
decision-making process and management of benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).1 Single-test office
uroflowmetry cannot be regarded as universally
reliable for the determination of bladder outflow
obstruction (BOO) due to BPH; many patients, in
fact, are unable to relax and void as usual at the
clinic.
Some authors, besides, found variability between
consecutive flow measurements and circadian
changes in various voiding parameters, and
particularly in maximum flow rate.2, 3 Therefore,
any decision based on a single-flow measurement is
questionable, since a natural situation is
recommended when using uroflowmetry to depict a
patient's normal voiding pattern. Data from a homebased portable flowmeter may accomplish this
objective. Home uroflowmetry has been well
accepted,4 and it gave different information from free
uroflowmetry. It provided an estimation of BOO for
46% of the patients if the home mean Qmax was >14
ml/s.4 The calculation of mean parameter values,
such as Qmax, becomes possible, in order to reduce
the effect of random fluctuation in test results.
Procedure:
Uroflowmetry is a quick, simple diagnostic screening
test that provides valuable feedback about the health
of the lower urinary tract. It is commonly performed
to determine if there is obstruction to normal urine
outflow. Medical conditions that can alter the normal
flow of urine include, but are not limited to, the
following Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) - a
benign enlargement of the prostate gland that usually
occurs in men over age of fifty. Enlargement of the
prostate interferes with normal passage of urine from
the bladder. If left untreated, the enlarged prostate
can obstruct the bladder completely. Cancer of the
prostate or bladder tumor, Urinary incontinence involuntary release of urine from the bladder
Urinary blockage - obstruction of the urinary tract
can occur for many reasons along any part of the
urinary tract from kidneys to urethra.
Urinary obstruction can lead to a backflow of urine
causing infection, scarring, or kidney failure if
untreated. Neurogenic bladder dysfunction improper
function of the bladder due to an alteration in the
nervous system such as a spinal cord lesion or injury,
frequent urinary tract infections (UTI’s)
Uroflowmetry may be performed in conjunction with
other diagnostic procedures, such as cystometry and
cystography. There may be other reasons for your
physician to recommend uroflowmetry.
Conclusion:
Uroflowmetry is a simple, diagnostic screening
procedure used to calculate the flow rate of urine
over time. The test is noninvasive (the skin is not
pierced), and may be used to assess bladder and
sphincter function. Uroflowmetry is performed by
having a person urinate into a special funnel that is
connected to a measuring instrument. . This
information is converted into a graph and interpreted
by a physician. The information helps evaluate
function of the lower urinary tract or help determine
if there is an obstruction of normal urine outflow. We
are using microcontroller 8051,weight transducer and
load cell. Uroflometry is used to screen the
obstruction in the flow of urine. and can screen some
diseases like BPH ,BOO, Prostrate Cancer through
the flow rate .In early days they used Capacitive Dip
Transducer to detect the Flow of Urine . but the
sedimentation of salts in urine reduces the sensitivity
of the transducer,due to Poor maintanence.so they get
errors.So we used weight transducer to rectify those
errors. And more over we used visual C++ to get
graphical array for the results.
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Real Time Study of Urine Flow Analysis
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International Journal of Biological Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0976-1519, Vol. 07, No. 01, March 2016, pp 03-05