Method of urinary continence training based on an objective measurement of the bladder
Method of urinary continence training, utilizing an objective measurement, indicative of the state of fullness of the bladder of the subject, to identify the occurrence of an appropriate continence training opportunity. When the objective measurement equals or exceeds a signal threshold value, set to correspond to a bladder volume that is less than a reflexive urination volume, a signal is provided to the subject or to a caregiver. The objective measurement may be performed by a bladder monitor, using any of several modalities of automatic sensing, and preferably using ultrasound. The signal threshold value may be recalculated and increased, so as to continue to correspond to a relatively full bladder, as the subject grows and/or achieves progress toward continence. The method may include other steps directed to help the subject associate the physical sensation of a full bladder with voluntary urination, such as informing the subject that urination is imminent.
1. A method for training a child to achieve urinary continence by identifying an appropriate continence training opportunity, comprising the steps of:
measuring a reflexive urination volume for the child;
setting a signal threshold value to correspond to a bladder volume that is less than the reflexive urination volume;
obtaining an objective measurement indicative of a state of fullness of the child's bladder; and
providing a signal to the child or to a caregiver when the measurement equals or exceeds the signal threshold value.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of querying the child regarding his or her physical sensation of bladder fullness.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of informing the child that urination is possible or imminent.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of providing the child with the opportunity to urinate into a designated receptacle.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the objective measurement correlates to a dimension of the bladder, a cross-sectional area of the bladder, or a volume of the bladder.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is an audible alarm, a tactile alarm, or a visible alarm.
7. The method of claim 1 including using a bladder monitor to obtain the objective measurement.
8. The method of claim 1 including utilizing ultrasound to obtain the objective measurement.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of applying a bladder monitor to the child's body in a wearable manner and using the bladder monitor to obtain the objective measurement.
10. A method for training a child to achieve urinary continence, comprising the stops of:
measuring a reflexive urination volume far the child;
setting a signal threshold value to correspond to a bladder volume that is less than the reflexive urination volume;
obtaining an objective measurement indicative of a state of fullness of the child's bladder;
providing a signal to the child or to a caregiver when the measurement equals or exceeds the signal threshold value; and
identifying an appropriate continence training opportunity based on an occurrence of the signal.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of providing the child with the opportunity to urinate into a designated receptacle.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the objective measurement correlates to a dimension of the bladder, a cross-sectional area of the bladder, or a volume of the bladder.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein the objective measurement is obtained during a specific period of time that the caregiver designates as a continence training period.
14. The method of claim 10 including using a bladder monitor to obtain the objective measurement.
15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of applying a bladder monitor to the child's body in a wearable manner and using the bladder monitor to obtain the objective measurement.
16. An article of commerce comprising a package including:
a bladder monitor adapted to perform an objective measurement indicative of a state of fullness of a child's bladder and provide a signal to the child or to a caregiver when the measurement equals or exceeds a signal threshold value; and
instructions for a user of the article for training the child to achieve urinary continence by performing the steps of measuring a reflexive urination volume for the child, setting the signal threshold value to correspond to a bladder volume that is less than the reflexive urination volume, using the bladder monitor to obtain the objective measurement, and identifying an appropriate continence training opportunity based on an occurrence of the signal.