A Flexible Wearable Ultrasound Transducer for Bladder Volume Monitoring

Bladder volume monitoring is crucial for patients with voiding dysfunction. However, existing wearable ultrasonic bladder monitors are often rigid and bulky, limiting their suitability for non-planar skin surfaces. This paper introduces a novel flexible wearable ultrasonic bladder volume monitoring sensor designed to overcome these limitations. The sensor features four 1–3 composite piezoelectric transducer elements positioned at specific angles, accompanied by flexible printed circuit (FPC) electrodes for seamless adaptation to curved skin surfaces. Eco-flex elastomers serve as matching and backing layers, ensuring the sensor's flexibility and adherence. Operating at a frequency of 2 MHz, the transducer array demonstrates consistent and reliable performance. Human trials validated the sensor's effectiveness, demonstrating a robust linear correlation between sensor readings and bladder distension levels. In conclusion, the design of this flexible wearable ultrasound transducer represents a significant advancement towards enhancing the accuracy and convenience of bladder monitoring.