Portable Bladder Scanners for Home Use

Men's health
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A couple of months ago I purchased a portable bladder scanner to measure my bladder volumes and learn more about how my voiding function works. Used, refurbished units, similar to what many urologists use, can be purchased online at a fraction of their retail cost. I ended up paying a little over $1,000 for a unit that originally sold for 10K. But 2K is a more reasonable price if you don’t want to spend a lot of time hunting around and matching parts, which I ended up doing.

There are basically three types of units you can find. The more common 3D automated units – mostly manufactured by Verathon are “point and shoot” and give you a number for your residual volume in a digital read out. Everything is done by the software as there is no ultrasound picture generated.

The 2D real-time scanners, as their name suggest, give you a real-time ultrasound picture of your bladder similar to the big hospital units which are used for bladder/kidney studies. 

And the newer real-time 3D units, likewise give you a real-time ultrasound picture, but unlike the 2-D units they scan both sagittal and transverse planes in one pass, as opposed to two.

 

For most people, an older refurbished automated 3D Verathon unit would suffice. I’ve seen them refurbished for around $1,800. I opted for the 2D real-time unit because I have an irregularly shaped bladder and diverticulum and wanted a bladder scanner that could target and differentiate the bladder from the diverticulum. The real-time scanners also allow you to observe and study the actual voiding process, which was important for me. If money was no object, I would have purchased one of the newer 3D real time units but I haven’t seen any used ones on the market, and the least expensive new unit is 6K with some over 10K.

I’ll end by saying that most people probablydon’t need a home bladder scanner as the same information can be gotten from a doctor’s visit or a hospital bladder/kidney study. 

On the other hand, if so motivated, the advantage is that you can check volumes whenever you want. For those self cathing, who are not on a regular schedule, they can save unnecessary catherizations and facilitate a bespoke approach. They can also be helpful as “reality/safety checks” if you’re doing a bladder rehab approach such as my “off/on” strategy. Link here: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/self-catherization-an-on-on-off-strategy--591671

For those with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) they can be used as part of a retraining program to better time your voids so that you won’t void with either too much or too little in your bladder. Jim

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Excellent, Jim. Please keep us updated.  Paul

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Hi Jim,

Did you test your unit for accuracy yet ? Hank

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When I first got it I checked it quite a few times against catherized volumes when I first got it. It's not down to the ml accurate (but who knows if the one in your doctors office is) but it gives me an excellent and workable number (and picture) that shows whether the bladder and/or diverticulum is very full, moderately full, close to empty or empty. And that's really all I need for practical purposes.

Some of the variance may be the alogorithm used, some of it may be lack of definition of the bladder wall due to my irregular bladder, and some may have to do with the fact that I'm not a radiologist who might mark a more exact bladder wall eliminating variables such as bowel gas and overlapping prostate. Also, I've found, depending on fluid intake, that the bladder can start filling up in the minute or two between doing the scan and catherizing. But again, sort of nitpking here because it's accurate enough for all practical purposes.

Jim

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Back to the accuracy part, another element is that my particular scanner is 2D so for greater accuracy you have to do two scans, a transverse and sagital. I rarely do the sagittal scan because the transverse is accurate enough. 

The more commonly used machines in uro offices and elsewhere are the Verathon 3D fully automatic models which just give a number an no real time picture. These have been tested in studies and found to be quite accurate HOWEVER since there is no ultrasound picture it is important that they are calibrated yearly because without a sonogram to look at you are trusting the machine completely. While, as stated, more than suffiicent for most home users, I am very disappointed to see these units in so many urologist's offices. Yes, they are somewhat "idiot proof" and are often used by nurses, PA's and lesser trained nursing home personel (not to say they are "idiots' btw) but the downside is that all you get is a number with no picture of bladder architecture or any irregularites such as a diverticulum or trabeculated bladder wall. 

I saw a well known bladder specialist and I couldn't believe this was the type of scanner his nurse used pre-exam. I still can't believe they don't have a real-time unit in their office! My first two uro's had real time units similar in function to mine. So it's a mixed bag out there when getting scanned at the uro. 

Jim

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I would be happy if they are within 10% accuracy. BTW, I looked on Ebay. There are selling many broken ones for $200 or less, the Verathon 3000 model. I wonder how hard it is to fix one of these. Hank

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The Verathon BVI 3000 is an older model and the most readily available used online. If you're interested I have a souce that might still have reburbished units, newly calibrated for $1,800 with I believe a 30 day trial and limited warranty. Less than that you are taking a chance both in terms of the unit functioning and the calibration. Unlike my real time unit, the Verathon auto 3D units need to be properly calibrated. Verathon charges around $700 (or more) but my source will calibrate for I believe $300. That said, calibration is only one issue, the other is the unit itself and many of the cheap 3000's are being sold for "parts" meaning you don't know what you will get. I suppose if you could negotiate a return policy on the unit, you could then calibrate it yourself (with a catheter) or at least see how out of whack the calibration is. Also, not sure, but I think the 3000 requires batteries which could also be expensive. 

Jim

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My unit is the Portascan Plus which goes under different distributor names including Mediwatch, Bard and now Laborie, the current distributor. There were a bunch for sale online a few months ago, including some parts, and I cobbled mine together. The only one for sale now on ebay looks in excellent shape but is selling for close to 3K which is reasonable but it's still 3K. But if you want this type of unit (real time with picture) I might be able to help a little  or at least keep an eye out for you. There is also a regular Portascan model (similar) and an even older one, but again I haven't seen anything lately.

Jim

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Thanks Jim,

A scanner is nice to have but is not a necessity for me right now since I am cathing daily any way. My current scanner is a catheter and a bottle and it is doing OK. I am just curious right now. Not ready to buy yet.

However, It is good of you to open this thread to help informing others. Hank

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If you're on a regular 4-6x/day then no need to measure residuals with a scanner, you can do that with the catheter and a marked beaker. It make more sense if you're not on a regular cath schedule and want to monitor residuals for either a bespoke cath plan and/or bladder retraining for OAB. In my case I got it because I'm currently not self cathing and wanted a handy safety check to make sure my bladder isn't getting stretched. That and it has helped me understand the dynamics of how my bladder and diverticulum work together, something that my uro's only had guesses. FWIW my particular model also does kidney scans (and maybe some others) but I never have gone into that mode because I'm sure I'd scare myself with this shadow or that smile

Jim

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Hank and All,

I just saw a BVI 3000 that came online today that looks operational that you should be able to get for around $1000. There's a 30 day return on it. If anyone is interested I could get you details.

Jim

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Comparable used units would be $2000 but this doesn't have a calibration certificate with it which should not be a problem given the return policy as you can check the calibration yourself against catherized volumes and/or get it it calibrated (with certificate) yourself for another 300 or so, which probably isn't necessary unless you're using it on patients where calibration is required by law. So a good deal for self use.

Jim

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I just saw a used BVI 3000 bladder scanner on U.S. ebay (item number: 253000802464) for sale for $1274 (GPB 999). Seems to be in excellent condition and comes with battery and probe but unclear from listing if it needs calibration. You can get third party calibration for this unit in the U.S. for around $300, not sure in GB. Verathon, the manufacturer, charges at least double. The BVI 3000 is an excellent basic unit and very easy to use, but like many portable units, there is no real time image, just a numerical read out of bladder volume. Still very useful for setting up CIC schedules and/or bladder training for OAB. I have a Laborie 2-D real time imaging unit at home but have not seen similar used units like mine onsale for several months.

Jim

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I may have located another real time 2D bladder scanner if anyone is interested. It's the kind that I have which gives you a real time picture of the bladder like you get when you get a bladder ultrasound. Useful for checking PVRs, limiting unecessary CIC's or bladder retraining for OAB. Also, makes a great conversation starter smile PM me if you want more info.

Jim

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I just saw a used, portable real time 2-D bladder scanner on ebay just like the one I use at home. Condition and price look pretty good. I have found it very helpful checking my PVRs without having to cath. It could also be used for bladder retraining if you have OAB. If anyone interested I can give more details. 

Jim

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Hello, James, I'd like to know more about this unit. Thanks.

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Hi Yani,

It was a used Mediwatch Portascan Plus on ebay. I believe it's been sold by now. Are you self cathing now? How did you plan on using the unit?

Jim

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Hi Jim,

I was searching for a bladder scanner to see if I am emptying my bladder. I started Flomax 4 days ago. The urologists told me that my bladder wasn't emptying when I saw her last week. I am trying to avoid infections as I have a mechanical heart valve.   

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Not trying to talk you out of it, but wouldn't it just be easier -- not to mention a lot less expensive --- to get your PVR (post void residual) measured by a bladder scanner in your urologist's office? 

A home bladder scanner does have the advantage of being able to measure total bladder volumes and PVRs whenever and wherever you want, however unless you really need this flexibility, you could be paying for something unnecessary.

I see a home bladder scanner as something useful if you want to fine tune a self cathing program or for re-training an overactive bladder, but I don't see you falling into either category. Then again, if you're kind of a health gadget freak, and/or the money isn't an issue, these scanners can be both interesting and instructive. So let me know if I can be of further help. 

Jim

 

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My uro says I'm  only emptying  1/4 of my bladder. Also, they won't be able to check my bladder often.  I've  read your post about cic. I've  read a lot of negative things about Flomax. It doesn't shrink the Prostate just relaxes it as you already know. I'm on warfarin  and have a mechanical heart valve.  It is really important  that I know if the Flomax is helping enough so I don't  get acute bladder retention.  Also, I need to make sure my bladder is emptying so I don't  do anything unnecessary.  A uti to me is a big risk, because of endocarditis.  I'm not rich. I just love my family and life.Thank you.