Project title

UROSPHINX ­ - Physiology and mechanics of the male urinary sphincter

Scientific Coordinator's name:

Pedro Martins

Scientific Coordinator's e-mail:

palsm@fe.up.pt

Principal R&D Unit:

Design and Experimental Validation Unit

Other R&D Units involved in the project:

Other R&D units involved in the project

Project keyword(s)

Urinary Sphincter, Hyperelastic formulation, Soft Tissue Biomechanics, Male Urinary Incontinence

Short abstract and comments

\\\"The research team intends to investigate the mechanical and functional aspects of the urinary sphincter complex in man, using a multidisciplinary approach that combines medicine and engineering. This research program addresses a complex and multifactorial health problem — Urinary Incontinence in men — that constitutes a significant socioeconomic burden worldwide. The mechanical characterization, modelling and simulation (under different conditions) of the soft tissues and anatomical structures of the male urinary sphincter complex as well as of the slings and used for UI management, are the core of the project. The motivation for proposing this project is the search for quantitative evidence on the urinary continence mechanism of the male urinary sphincter. This can be achieved through the simulation of the urinary sphincter complex using the Finite Element Method (FEM), using the experience of the research team developed while studying female’s pelvic organ prolapse. To achieve this objective it is required to perform the mechanical characterization of soft tissues of the male urinary sphincter complex and of the polypropylene meshes used as slings for reconstructive surgery of urinary incontinence.

Potential uses/indications

The purpose of the project is to elaborate a set of recommendations on male UI management based on accurate, quantitative and qualitative engineering techniques, overviewed and complemented by urologists.