The CT3000 Explained

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the term used to describe the benign - i.e. noncancerous - enlargement of the prostate gland, a walnut-shaped gland located beneath the bladder. According to NICE, in BPH, Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) causes narrowing of the urethra where it passes through the prostate, leading in turn to Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO) and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). The Gold Standard diagnostic test for investigating BOO's, is known as a Pressure-Flow Study (PFS). However, this invasive test is expensive (and contributes to the enormous expenditure on treating suspicious BPH's, which is £55,357,650), time-consuming and requires skilled analysis and interpretation of results.

The non invasive cuff test however provides a rapid means of investigating men with LUTS. The technology measures both the urinary flow rate of a patient and the pressure their bladder generates to produce this flow. A specialised cuff, placed around the shaft of the penis, is temporarily inflated to obstruct flow and the cuff pressure required to interrupt voiding, which then provides a measure of bladder pressure. The combination of maximum flow rate and cuff pressure can then be used to determine whether BOO is present or not. The non invasive cuff test is intended to compliment standard pressure flow studies and current diagnostic options available to patients. 

This technology can therefore play a significant role in ensuring that diagnostic services throughout the NHS are more productive whilst removing the burden (and associated morbidities) that a diagnosis would otherwise be determined through a surgical procedure) brings to the health service. For example, a 2009 ProState of the nation report estimated that the total UK secondary care cost associated with the complications presented with this area of health is £111,568,793.

Key Benefits of the CT3000

1. Reducing inappropriate treatment by introducing the use of the diagnostic cuff test, the overall pathway of care is enhanced and savings are obtained due to these efficiencies.
   

2. Reducing the risk of urinary tract infections, social isolation, embarrassment, discomfort and morbidity associated with invasive techniques and depression by accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of LUTS. There are also fewer complications compared to invasive urodynamic studies.
   

3. Increasing clinical and cost effectiveness by making informed decisions on the appropriate follow up pathway, providers can ensure that they are using their resources more effectively and are closing the inequality gap in the provision of these services.
   

4. Improving clinical outcomes and improving emotional and physical wellbeing through accurate diagnosis and effective treatments in line with NICE clinical guideline CG97.
   

5. Increasing patient choice by offering a diagnostic test that can be performed in the outpatient setting as opposed to more conventional means of testing (which would otherwise take place through surgery).
   

6. Simple training requirement. The diagnostic cuff test is easily applied and removed. Minimum staff training time is required for use of the technology.