The potential sensor: Towards a novel non-invasive instrument for advanced erectile dysfunction diagnostics

Erectile dysfunction (ED) significantly impacts quality of life but often remains underreported due to stigma. Current diagnostic methods have notable limitations: the RigiScan, the gold standard since 1985, is outdated and its validity has been questioned due to sleep disturbance, whereas penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU) is reliable but invasive, costly, and emotionally burdensome. In the absence of alternatives, many clinics rely solely on initial clinical evaluation. However, the Dupless study described in this thesis demonstrates that patient characteristics alone are insufficient to reliably distinguish psychogenic from organic ED.
The need for patient-friendly diagnostic tools is therefore urgent. The Staying Hot and Feeling Hot studies show that penile temperature measurement provide a non-invasive method to reliably detect the onset of (nocturnal) erections, but fall short in assessing erection duration and -quality. To address this gap, The Potential Sensor has been developed, an innovative system integrating multiple parameters (temperature, circumference, acceleration, tissue oxygenation, and arterial pulse). Validation of the sensors confirm accuracy and reliability, supporting further clinical development. This thesis concludes by describing a phased validation process, in which optimization of the design may enable application beyond secondary care, extending to primary care or even point-of-care solutions.