Incontinence electrode apparatus
AssigneeEmpi, Inc.
InventorsDonald D. Maurer, Mary M. Lien
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Abstract
An incontinence electrode for controlling urinary incontinence in women is made of alternating regions of conductive and non-conductive polymers molded to form a flexible tubular body. Electrical leads couple the conductive regions to an electrical stimulation controller. The controller provides electrical current to the conductive regions at two different frequencies to cause a contraction of the vaginal muscles responsible for controlling urinary incontinence in women. The conductive regions have a volume resistivity which closely approximates the impedance of vaginal tissue, thereby substantially eliminating current density burns to the vaginal tissue.
Claims18
An electrical stimulation system for controlling urinary incontinence comprising:
- an elongated tubular body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the tubular body further having first, second and third conductive regions, each conductive region having a volume resistivity in the range of approximately 1 to 2500 ohm-centimeters and separated by at least one non-conductive region, the first, second and third conductive regions configured to provide a first current path and a second current path, wherein the first and second current paths share one of the conductive regions;
- and
- electrical stimulation means communicating with the first, second and third conductive regions, for delivering a first signal at a first frequent to the first current path, and for delivering a second signal at a second frequency, different from the first frequency, to the second current path.
A dual channel stimulating system for controlling urinary incontinence comprising:
- an elongated tubular body, having first, second and third conductive regions longitudinally spaced along the tubular body, each conductive region having a volume resistivity in the range of approximately 1 to 2500 ohm-centimeters and separated from an adjacent conductive region by at least one non-conductive region;
- and
- electrical stimulation means communicating with the first, second and third conductive regions for delivering a first signal at a first frequency to the first and third conductive regions, and for delivering a second signal at a second frequent, different from the first frequency, to the first and second conductive regions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.