Uterine electrical stimulation system and method
AssigneeDignity Health
InventorsRobert E. Garfield, Harvey Carp, William L. Maner
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Abstract
Systems and methods for applying stimulating current to a patient for treating insufficient uterine contractions are provided. The system includes stimulation electrodes of a balloon electrode array device, a ring electrode array device, an electrode probe device, or a mesh electrode array device. Some aspects of the invention also provide a connector and cable device for coupling the stimulation electrodes to electronics for generating and providing the stimulating current to the stimulation electrodes.
Claims10
A device configured to apply stimulating current to a patient for treating insufficient uterine contractions, the device comprising:
- an applicator with a first end and an opposite second end and sized to extend through a vaginal canal;
- at least one electrode positioned adjacent to the first end and configured to be arranged proximate to at least one of a cervix or a fornix of the patient;
- and
- at least one lead wire that is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode and is routed through the applicator so that it exits the applicator adjacent to the second end to deliver electrical current through the applicator to the at least one electrode to initiate contractile activity of a uterus of the patient when the applicator is extended through the vaginal canal to engage the at least one electrode proximate to at least one of the cervix or the fornix of the patient,
- wherein the at least one electrode forms an array device comprising:
- a flexible ring, and
- a plurality of electrodes affixed to an outer surface of the flexible ring, and
- the at least one lead wire comprises a plurality of lead wires electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.