User's Manual Part 4

Clinical Application FloPoint
®
Elite Uroflow System
page 96 User’s Manual
Clinical Application
Definitions, Indications, and Output
Definitions
Uroflowmetry is a diagnostic test in which the patient urinates into a flow sensor
connected to a recording device that produces a plot of urine flow rate versus time (the
“uroflow curve”). Most Uroflow Systems measure urine flow rate by continuously weighing
the urine as it fills a catch vessel and calculating the rate of increase in urine weight. By
contrast, the FloPoint
®
Elite FloSensor contains a disk that spins at a constant speed.
When a flow of urine hits the disk, the motor must work harder to maintain the disk
spinning at that same speed with the added weight of the urine. The FloSensor measures
the amount of power needed to maintain the disk’s original speed and uses that
measurement to calculate the urine flow rate. The FloSensor also records the total
amount of urine discharged by the patient.
Indications
In general, uroflowmetry is used as a screening test to determine which patients with
symptoms or clinical conditions involving the lower urinary tract should be referred for
further workup (e.g., urodynamics, cystography). The most common clinical application of
uroflowmetry is to provide an objective indication of a low urine flow rate caused by
bladder outflow obstruction – especially in males with symptoms suggestive of benign
prostatic hypertrophy. Uroflowmetry is also often included in the workup of females with
urinary incontinence.
Clinical Condition or History Suggestive Of:
 High bladder outlet resistance. Examples include prostatism (the most
common indication), lower urinary tract infection and previous lower urinary
tract surgery.
 A decompensated bladder or weak detrusor contraction.
 Neurologic impairment of voiding. Examples include multiple sclerosis and
spinal cord injury.
Specific Signs and Symptoms:
 Prolonged or interrupted voiding.
 High residual urine.
 Manually assisted voiding (e.g., by applying pressure to the lower abdomen).
 Excessive straining required to void.
FloPoint
®
Elite Output
The FloPoint
®
Elite Uroflow System plots urine flow rate in ml/second versus time in
seconds. Several measurements are taken from the FloPoint
®
Elite curve, either
manually by the clinician, or automatically by a digital processor.
Clinical Application