New bladder device lets you know when nature calls

By Imogen Howse via SWNS

A new bladder device tells people when it’s time to go to the toilet.

American researchers developed the soft, flexible, battery-free implant that attaches to the wall of the bladder and monitors how full it is.

It then wirelessly transmits data to a smartphone app, allowing users to monitor their bladder in real-time and take note of when a loo break is needed.

For most people, the new technology will be unnecessary.

However, scientists say it could be a game changer for the millions of people struggling with incontinence or compromised bladder function caused by paralysis, spina bifida, bladder cancer, or bladder disease.

Co-lead researcher Professor Guillermo Ameer, a biomedical engineer at Northwestern University, said: “If bladder nerves are damaged from surgery or from disease, then a patient often loses sensation and is unaware that their bladder is full.

“This means they often have to use catheters, which are uncomfortable and can lead to painful infections.”

Ameer explained that the new device can eliminate the use of catheters – and the current bladder monitoring procedures that must be done in hospitals.

“These procedures are highly invasive and very unpleasant, and must be done in a clinical setting,” he said.

“But the sensor system in our device can enable doctors to monitor their patients remotely and continuously, which will enable them to make faster and more informed treatment decisions.”

The device monitors the bladder by using sensors that measure ‘strain’ on the bladder.

Essentially, the fuller the bladder gets, the more it stretches – which the device understands as ‘strain’.

Likewise, when the bladder empties, it contracts – which the device understands as relief of strain.

Co-lead researcher John Rogers, also a Professor at Northwestern, explained: “As the sensors detect various levels of strain, the device uses embedded Bluetooth technology to transmit this information to a smartphone or tablet.”

He added that what is so special about this device is that it completes this monitoring without impacting the normal function of the bladder.

“Our development of super soft, ultra-thin, stretchable strain gauges allows the device to wrap around the outside surface of the bladder without imposing any mechanical constraints on the natural filling and voiding,” he said.

In small animal studies, the device successfully delivered real-time measurements of bladder filling and emptying over a month.

In a subsequent study on non-human primates, the device successfully delivered real-time information for two months.

“This work is the first of its kind that is scaled for human use,” Prof Ameer said.

“We demonstrated the technology’s long-term function and continuous monitoring ability.

“Now, depending on the use case, we can design the technology to either reside permanently inside the body – or to harmlessly dissolve after the patient has made a full recovery.”

The next step for the research team will be to consider the device’s use in bladder function restoration.

Co-lead researcher Professor Arun Sharma said: “We are working to integrate this wireless bladder monitoring into bladder regeneration technology, which helps restore bladder function and monitor the recovery process after surgery.

“Our work brings us closer to the reality of smart regenerative systems, which are implantable devices capable of probing their microenvironment, wirelessly reporting those findings outside the body, and enabling on-demand or programmed responses to improve safety.”

Sharma added that he hopes the findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, will help improve the quality of life of those suffering with bladder function issues.

The team is currently continuing to build new functionalities into the device – such as bladder ‘warning’ notifications and directions to the nearest toilet.

They even believe the technology will one day be able to get the bladder to urinate on demand.

“In addition to monitoring the filling, the app will be able to send warnings to the patient and then direct them to locations for the nearest restrooms,” Ameer said.

“And one day, patients will be able to trigger urination, on demand, through their smartphone.”