title: [Urodynamics foundations: contractile potency and urethral doppler].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To calculate the bladder softening factor, elastic constant and contractile potency.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the analysis we considered bladder behavior like that of a spring. See articles 1 and 2 published in this issue. Using flowmetry, Doppler ultrasound and abdominal pressure (Transrectal pressure register catheter) an analytical solution that permits calculation of factors defining bladder behavior was looked for. Doppler ultrasound allows us to know urine velocity through the prostatic urethra and, therefore, to calculate bladder contractile potency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Equations are solved reaching an analytical solution that allows calculating those factors that define bladder behavior: Bladder contractile potency, detrusor elastic constant, considering it behaves like a spring, and calculation of muscle resistance to movement. All thanks to Doppler ultrasound that allows to know urine speed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bladder voiding phase is defined with the aforementioned factors; storage phase behavior can be indirectly inferred. Only uroflowmetry curves, Doppler ultrasound and abdominal pressure value are used. We comply with the so called non invasive urodynamics although for us it is just another phase in the biomechanical study of the detrusor muscle. Main conclusion is the addition of Doppler ultrasound to the urodynamist armamentarium as an essential instrument for the comprehension of bladder dynamics and calculation of bladder behavior defining factors. It is not a change in the focus but in the methods, gaining knowledge and diminishing invasion.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Urología, Complejo Hospitalario de Ciudad Real, España.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benítez Navío
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caballero Gómez
authors.forename: Ildefonso
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Delgado Elipe
mesh_terms: D008433:Mathematics; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D014563:Urodynamics