Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for measuring pressure exerted against a surface. In an aspect, the surface corresponds to the urethra and the device measures the pressure exerted against the urethra. Methods include treatment of a patient suffering urinary stress incontinence. A pressure sensor system is used to determine, pre-surgically, the minimum pressure required to alleviate incontinence. During surgery, the pressure sensor system is employed to ensure the surgical intervention provides a corresponding minimum pressure that was clinically identified. In this manner, the surgical intervention is precisely monitored and measured to insure the appropriate pressure is exerted on the urethra to alleviate stress incontinence, thereby improving surgical outcome and decreasing post-operative complications.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for measuring real-time pressures on the perineum of a user positioned on a surface. In an embodiment the surface is a bicycle seat and the real-time measurement is a pressure map of the pressure distribution during a bicycle ride. The methods relate to connecting a pressure sensor to the perineum region of the user, positioning the user on the surface, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned between the perineum and the surface, and obtaining output from the pressure sensor while the user is positioned on the surface, such as during a bicycle ride. The devices relate to a plurality of pressure sensors capable of being connected to the perineum region and a microcontroller containing a drive circuit and chip for analog-to-digital conversion and storage. One use of the methods and devices are to assess risk of erectile dysfunction for bicycle riders.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for measuring pressure exerted against a surface. In an aspect, the surface corresponds to the urethra and the device measures the pressure exerted against the urethra. Methods include treatment of a patient suffering urinary stress incontinence. A pressure sensor system is used to determine, pre-surgically, the minimum pressure required to alleviate incontinence. During surgery, the pressure sensor system is employed to ensure the surgical intervention provides a corresponding minimum pressure that was clinically identified. In this manner, the surgical intervention is precisely monitored and measured to insure the appropriate pressure is exerted on the urethra to alleviate stress incontinence, thereby improving surgical outcome and decreasing post-operative complications.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for measuring real-time pressures on the perineum of a user positioned on a surface. In an embodiment the surface is a bicycle seat and the real-time measurement is a pressure map of the pressure distribution during a bicycle ride. The methods relate to connecting a pressure sensor to the perineum region of the user, positioning the user on the surface, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned between the perineum and the surface, and obtaining output from the pressure sensor while the user is positioned on the surface, such as during a bicycle ride. The devices relate to a plurality of pressure sensors capable of being connected to the perineum region and a microcontroller containing a drive circuit and chip for analog-to-digital conversion and storage. One use of the methods and devices are to assess risk of erectile dysfunction for bicycle riders.