Conceptualising a sensor to detect nocturnal erections using saturation, arterial pulse and acceleration as parameters

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to have or maintain an erection to fulfill a sexually satisfying act. The ideal methodology to distinguish between an organic or psychological etiology is through detecting nocturnal erections. Currently the golden standard is the RigiScan®. This device however, is outdated and uncomfortable for patients, creating the need for a new sensor. In this research an explorative literature study was conducted to investigate if saturation, arterial pulse and acceleration can form new parameters for detecting nocturnal erections. First an overview of all available measuring principles was created and it was investigated if any literature was already available about the measurements of the three parameters on the penis. A list of requirements was created, to determine which principles would be useful in measuring nocturnal erections. Based on the identified literature it is advised that the new sensor consists of a reflectance NIRS sensor to measure saturation and possibly the arterial pulse by transmittence oximetry and a capacitive accelerometer to measure the acceleration.