HOME UROFLOWMETRY BY MEANS OF THE DA CAPO(TM) HOME UROFLOWMETER

Objective: The Da Capo(TM) home flowmeter was tested versus the Urodyn 1000(TM) flowmeter. The two flowmeters are based on different princip les. The Da Capo is a portable, battery powered flowmeter designed to record all voidings during a period of time (e.g. 24 h) for a single p atient. Methods: The flowmeters were tested with regard to accuracy of measurement of the voided volume and maximum flow (Q(max),,,). Furthe r, the Da Capo was tested by 10 healthy male volunteers, median age 47 years, range 21-57. Results: Both flowmeters were very accurate measu ring Q(max),,, and voided volume. A few artifacts arose, i.e. extremel y high Q(max),,, values were recorded. All test persons found the flow meter easy to handle. Conclusion: The weight transducer based Da Capo home flowmeter proved as accurate as the stationary flowmeters. It is easy to handle and it provides all-day monitoring of uroflow and voide d volume.