Device for supporting the emptying of the bladder of a patient and method for operating such a device

Method for operating a device comprising:

• an essentially stiff dome-shaped surrounding element for surrounding at least a part of the bladder having a variable volume, the device comprising at least one sensor for detecting the filling level of the bladder, the surrounding element being connectable with the bladder at a lower end of the surrounding element in a fluid-tight manner, so that an inner reservoir is defined in a hollow space between the surrounding element and the wall of the bladder, the device further comprising a flexible membrane surrounding the surrounding element, the flexible membrane being connectable with the bladder in a fluid-tight manner, so that an outer reservoir is defined in a hollow space between the flexible membrane and the surrounding element, the device further comprising a pumping device for pumping a fluid from the outer reservoir into the inner reservoir so that the fluid in the inner reservoir generates a pressure from an outside direction on the wall of the bladder so that emptying of the bladder is supported, wherein the flexible membrane is inelastic, wherein the method comprises:
• measuring the motor current of the pump;
• and
• pumping the fluid from the outer reservoir into the inner reservoir until a rise in the motor current of the pump is detected, meaning that due to the inelastic membrane no more fluid can be pumped into the inner reservoir.