Urinary incontinence device and method and stimulation device and method
AssigneeIncontrol Medical, LLC
InventorHerschel Peddicord
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for treating urinary incontinence is provided. The method includes providing a device having an expandable portion having an outer surface, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrodes. The method further includes causing the expandable portion to inflate such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls and causing a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrode.
Claims20
An apparatus for the treatment of urinary incontinence comprising:
- a balloon configured for movement between an inflated state and a deflated state;
- an electrode coupled to a first portion of an outer surface of the balloon, the electrode configured to transmit electrical pulses to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrode;
- and
- a second portion of the outer surface of the balloon having a longitudinal fold separating the first portion from a third portion of the outer surface of the balloon along a longitudinal axis of the balloon, the second portion exposed to an exterior of the apparatus when the balloon is in the deflated state;
- wherein the longitudinal fold causes the balloon to inflate in a radially non-uniform manner.
A stimulation device for creating a pleasurable sensation in a user comprising:
- an expandable portion configured to assume a plurality of states of expansion between minimum expansion and maximum expansion;
- a vibrating element spaced from an outer surface of the expandable portion;
- and
- the expandable portion comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions separated by a longitudinal fold, the vibrating element adjacent to one of the first and second portions, wherein the longitudinal fold is exposed to an exterior of the stimulation device when in a non-expanded state, wherein the longitudinal fold causes the expandable portion to expand in a radially non-uniform manner.
A stimulation device for creating a pleasurable sensation in a user comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an operative portion located between the proximal end and the distal end and configured to be inserted within a vagina when the device is in an inserted position;
- a balloon circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the operative portion of the shaft, the balloon comprising first and second surfaces separated by a longitudinal fold;
- and
- an electrode disposed on the first surface of the balloon and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrode;
- wherein the longitudinal fold is configured to cause the balloon to inflate in a radially non-uniform manner such that the electrode presses against a wall of the vagina;
- and
- wherein the longitudinal fold is exposed to an exterior of the stimulation device when in a non-expanded state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.