Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Radio-frequency (RF) Bladder Monitor

This study is looking at a new, simple-to-wear device that uses radio waves to check how full your bladder is. It's for adults, especially those with spinal cord injuries who manage their bladder by self-catheterisation. The main goal is to see if this non-invasive device can tell the difference between an empty and a full bladder, and how accurately it measures bladder volume compared to standard scans. Researchers also want to know if the device is comfortable and easy to use. Ultimately, this technology could help people better manage their bladder conditions and improve their quality of life by providing timely alerts.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jul 2026

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2027

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Neurogenic Bladder (NB)

What is this study about?

For many people, especially those with spinal cord injuries, managing bladder problems can be a major challenge. Conditions like 'neurogenic bladder' can make it hard to know when your bladder is full, leading to issues like infections, discomfort, and difficulties with daily life. Current ways of managing these problems, like using catheters, can be time-consuming and sometimes lead to other complications. Finding better ways to monitor the bladder is a high priority for improving daily life and health.

This study is testing a new, exciting piece of technology: a wearable device that sits on the skin and uses gentle radio waves (like the ones in your microwave, but much safer and weaker) to check your bladder. The idea is that this device could tell you how full your bladder is without needing any tubes or wires going inside your body. It's safe, and the researchers hope it could be a low-cost, easy-to-use option in the future.

The main aim of this first study is to see if the device really works. Can it tell when your bladder is full or not? How well do its measurements match up with existing methods like ultrasound scans? And importantly, is it comfortable and practical for people with spinal cord injuries to use in their daily lives? The findings from this study will help decide if this technology can be developed further to give people discreet alerts when it's time to empty their bladder.

Key takeaways

This study tests a new wearable device to measure bladder fullness.
It's for adults, especially those with spinal cord injuries.
The device uses safe, low-level radio waves and is non-invasive.
Participation involves one visit, wearing sensors, and bladder filling cycles.
The goal is to improve bladder management and quality of life for people with bladder issues.
Your involvement helps advance medical research for future treatments.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult, 18 years or older. You should be able to sit or stand still for long enough for your bladder to fill up once. It's important that you don't have any electronic devices implanted inside your body, like a pacemaker. You also need to be able to go to the toilet or empty your bladder by yourself, without needing assistance.

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to join. If you're under 18, you can't take part. If you have any implanted electronic medical devices, you won't be suitable for the study. Also, if you can't stay relatively still for the time it takes for your bladder to fill, or if you are pregnant, this study wouldn't be right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Can you sit or stand relatively still for a period of time?
Do you have any implanted electronic medical devices (like a pacemaker)? (If yes, you may not be eligible)
Are you able to go to the toilet or empty your bladder by yourself?
Are you pregnant? (If yes, you may not be eligible)

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will have one study visit. During this visit, you'll first answer some questions about your bladder and how it affects your daily life. Then, researchers will place up to six small, non-invasive sensors on the skin of your lower belly area. These sensors simply sit on the skin and don't go inside your body.

You will then go through two cycles where your bladder fills up and you empty it. During the bladder filling part, the sensors will take measurements about every five minutes. At the same time, you'll have ultrasound scans of your bladder and your emptied urine will be measured so that the new device's readings can be compared to standard methods. At the end of the visit, you'll complete a survey about how comfortable and easy the wearable device was to use. There are no medications involved in this study, and the total duration of your participation will be the length of this single study visit.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study means you'll be helping researchers understand if a new, non-invasive bladder monitoring device could improve bladder management for many people in the future. You will not personally benefit directly from taking part, but your contribution is valuable to medical research. Potential risks are expected to be very low, as the device is non-invasive and uses very safe, low-level radio waves, similar to common household electronics. There are no known risks from the radio waves themselves. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Centre for Innovative Medicine (CIM) - McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada

Common questions

What is a 'neurogenic bladder'?

It's when the nerves that control your bladder don't work properly, often due to conditions like spinal cord injury. This can make it hard to tell when your bladder is full or to empty it completely.

Is the device safe?

Yes, the device uses very low-level radio waves, similar to what's found in common electronics, and is designed to be safe for repeated use on the skin.

Will I get paid to take part?

The information provided doesn't specify if participants will be compensated. You should ask the study team about this if you're interested.

How long will my participation take?

Your participation will involve one study visit during which you will complete questionnaires, wear the sensors, and go through two bladder filling and emptying cycles.

Will this device help my bladder problems immediately?

This is a pilot study, meaning it's an early test of the device. It's unlikely to directly help your bladder problems right away, but it could lead to better tools in the future.

How to find out more

Emily Porter, Ph.D.

emily.porter@mcgill.ca 514-934-1934 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.