Novel optical uroflowmeter using image processing techniques

This paper describes a feasibility study investigating an inexpensive novel technique to measure urine flow rate using image processing techniques. The majority of existing clinical uroflowmeters determine urine flow rate using a scale to measure increasing mass of urine expelled with time; however, they are expensive and typically found only in specialists' offices, making it difficult for patients to receive testing. An opportunity therefore exists to develop a much more affordable device which would allow flow rate testing to become a part of routine care and to be conducted in a wider variety of environments such as in General Practitioners' offices and home monitoring. The high demand for digital cameras, particularly due to their extensive use in mobile devices, has resulted in their accelerated advancement and cost reduction. Therefore, a device based on this technology was investigated and found to have comparable accuracy to currently used clinical devices.