Patent ID: 8221337
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for monitoring bladder distention, comprising: a plurality, of independently controllable acoustic transmitters adapted to be coupled to the surface of a user's abdomen region in a spaced-apart fashion, wherein a first portion of said transmitters is arranged on one side of the abdomen region relative to a vertical centerline thereof extending along the user's torso, a second portion of said transmitters is arranged on an opposing side of the abdomen region in an approximate mirror image fashion with respect to said first portion, and a third portion of said transmitters is arranged on an upper region of the abdomen region, each of said transmitters including an active element made from a piezocomposite material for broadband acoustic transmission in a range from approximately 500 KHz to approximately 2 MHz, said piezocomposite material being semi-spherical in shape with a convex portion thereof being adapted to face the surface of the abdomen region when said transmitters are coupled thereto wherein each of said transmitters introduces a broadband acoustic signal into a portion of the abdomen region; a plurality of acoustic receivers adapted to be coupled to the surface of the abdomen region, each of said receivers positioned for detecting acoustic reflections generated when each said acoustic signal is introduced into the abdomen region; and a controller coupled to said transmitters and said receivers, said controller adapted to be positioned on the user and correlated to an orientation of the user, said controller storing a profile indicative of anatomical features of the user, said controller initiating periodic activations of selected ones of said transmitters from said first portion and said second portion based upon said profile and said orientation of the user wherein each said acoustic signal resulting from said periodic activations generates one of said acoustic reflections associated therewith for detection by one of said receivers, said controller initiating selected activation of said third portion of said transmitters wherein each said acoustic signal resulting from said selected activation generates one of said acoustic reflections associated therewith for detection by at least one of said receivers, and said controller using a weighted combination of all of said acoustic reflections to determine bladder distention of the user, wherein said weighted combination is defined by at least said profile and said orientation of the user, said controller generating an alarm signal when said bladder distention indicates that a bladder voiding is needed.