Research priorities for diagnostic instrumentation in urinary incontinence.

Abstract

The International Consultation on Incontinence (ICI) captures current evidence on incontinence. The conference 'Incontinence: The Engineering Challenge XIII' in November 2021 heard an update on the most recent ICI summary on urodynamic testing. This paper summarises the ICI recommendations for future research in urodynamics, with a view to informing engineers of issues and challenges that could benefit from engineering solutions. Engineers are encouraged to contribute to the following areas of research, which will have a direct and positive effect on patients' quality of life and overall health: (a) Urine flow measurement: home- and app-based devices, machine learning analysis of flow shape, (b) Pressure measurement: normal values for and validation of new technologies, including air-filled, non-invasive and urethral pressure reflectometry, (c) Ultrasound imaging: bladder wall biomechanics, bladder shape analysis, (d) Assess normal and abnormal value ranges, and diagnostic performance and (e) Specific trials in understudied patient groups including those with symptoms resistant to treatment, children and the frail elderly.