The BladderPill: An in-body system logging bladder pressure

Abstract This paper introduces the BladderPill: an in vivo sensor system which is inserted into the bladder cavity through minimal invasive cystoscopy. It allows the autonomous monitoring and logging of the internal bladder pressure. Prototype circuits have been realized and tested in various layouts, to gradually approach the final pill-shaped form, measuring 40 mm in length and 5 mm in diameter. Constructed out of off-the-shelf components and embedded into silicone as a protective encapsulation, a low-cost flexible implant is created. The circuits fit on a double-sided flex measuring 4.2 mm × 18 mm and consume on average 350  μ A. Operation for over 24 h is thus assured on a 13 mAh lithium cell with a diameter of 3 mm.

[1]  Robert Puers,et al.  On the optimization of ultra low power front-end interfaces for capacitive sensors , 2005 .

[2]  Robert Puers,et al.  An Autonomous, Capacitive Sensor Based and Battery Powered Internal Bladder Pressure Monitoring System , 2009 .

[3]  Robert Puers,et al.  Capacitive sensors: When and how to use them☆ , 1993 .

[4]  Timothy McClure,et al.  Development of a fully implantable wireless pressure monitoring system , 2009, Biomedical microdevices.

[5]  P. Abrams,et al.  Noninvasive techniques for the measurement of isovolumetric bladder pressure. , 2004, The Journal of urology.

[6]  Robert Puers,et al.  An inductive power link for a wireless endoscope. , 2007, Biosensors & bioelectronics.

[7]  J. Vanfleteren,et al.  Design and fabrication of a low cost implantable bladder pressure monitor , 2009, 2009 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[8]  A Menciassi,et al.  Wireless powering for a self-propelled and steerable endoscopic capsule for stomach inspection. , 2009, Biosensors & bioelectronics.

[9]  Robert Puers,et al.  An autonomous bladder pressure monitoring system , 2002 .

[10]  Mikito Nagata,et al.  Miniature pin-type lithium batteries for medical applications , 2005 .

[11]  Chua-Chin Wang,et al.  A Mini-Invasive Long-Term Bladder Urine Pressure Measurement ASIC and System , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems.

[12]  M. Drinnan,et al.  Variation in invasive and noninvasive measurements of isovolumetric bladder pressure and categorization of obstruction according to bladder volume. , 2006, The Journal of urology.

[13]  Johan Coosemans.  Wireless and Battery-Less Medical Monitoring Devices (Draadloze en batterij-loze medische meetsystemen) , 2008 .

[14]  P. Abrams,et al.  Good urodynamic practices: Uroflowmetry, filling cystometry, and pressure‐flow studies * * , 2002, Neurourology and urodynamics.

[15]  Robert Puers,et al.  Design and implementation of advanced systems in a flexible-stretchable technology for biomedical applications , 2009 .