A Novel Artificial Detrusor System and Preliminary Experimental Study.

Background: Neurogenic bladder, a bladder dysfunction resulting from injury or disease affecting the central or peripheral nervous systems, significantly compromises patient quality of life and poses potentially life-threatening risks. Currently, no reliably effective clinical treatments are available. In this context, medicine-engineering integrated approaches aimed at developing artificial detrusor systems to facilitate voluntary voiding demonstrate unique value and advantages. However, existing artificial detrusor system designs face significant challenges, including structural complexity and suboptimal biomechanical compatibility.

Methods: This study proposes a novel artificial detrusor system, inspired by the physiological mechanisms of human urine storage and voiding, driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) springs and powered via transcutaneous energy transfer (TET). The system employs the shape memory effect of SMA springs to mimic detrusor contraction and utilizes TET for non-contact energy transmission. The driving performance and feasibility of the system were evaluated using simulation experiments and animal studies.

Results: Results indicate that excitation voltage, SMA spring specifications, and energization duration significantly influence the voiding rate and temperature increment of the artificial detrusor. The animal-tested prototype effectively induced bladder voiding.

Conclusion: This study presents a promising artificial detrusor system that combines SMA-driven actuation with TET to address neurogenic bladder dysfunction. This system features a simple structure and a feasible working principle, providing a basis for subsequent optimization of artificial detrusor designs and offering a new technical pathway for assistive solutions addressing neurogenic bladder dysfunction.