From Flexible Sensing Electronics to Closed-Loop Bladder Capacity System for Neurogenic Bladder

Spinal cord injuries often result in paralysis or paraplegia, the extent of which depends on the injury location. A common consequence is the loss of voluntary urination control, leading to symptoms such as urinary retention or incontinence, collectively termed neurogenic bladder (NGB). While urinary catheterization is a prevalent intervention in modern urological care for these patients, it usually causes complications like urinary tract infections and bladder stones. With the advent of flexible electronics, wearable and implantable systems based on flexible electronics have brought new solutions to the field. Advances in flexible electronics have spurred the development of innovative devices to aid NGB patients. This paper reviews current treatment modalities for NGB, exploring the challenges and drawbacks of existing methods. Furthermore, it provides insights into the progress and potential of flexible sensors and closed-loop bladder capacity sensor systems for NGB treatment, aiming to highlight their research advances, limitations, and future prospects.