UroScan: Real-Time Urine Monitoring System

Abstract

Accurate urine output monitoring is essential in hospitals because changes in urine volume, color, and clarity can indicate dehydration, infection, kidney dysfunction, or worsening patient condition. Despite its importance, urine output is still commonly measured manually by nurses, which can be time-consuming, inconsistent, and prone to error during long shifts and high patient loads.

UroTrack is a medical device under development that automates urine monitoring for catheterized patients via a compact external attachment integrated with a urine-collection bag system. The device uses a load cell to continuously measure urine volume and output trends in real time. A color sensor and turbidity sensor evaluate changes in urine appearance, while a motion sensor identifies whether fluid is actively flowing through the tubing. These sensor outputs are processed by a microcontroller and displayed through a live interface with real-time graphs and alerts for healthcare providers.

Prototype testing demonstrated that the device can accurately track urine accumulation, identify fluid flow state, and detect visible changes in urine clarity and color. The system successfully collected repeatable sensor data and displayed continuous monitoring trends without requiring manual measurements.

UroTrack has the potential to reduce nursing workload, improve patient monitoring accuracy, and support earlier detection of complications in clinical settings such as hospitals, intensive care units, and long-term care facilities.

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