Mechanical and electrical sensing for incontinence treatment
AssigneeBiocontrol Medical Ltd.
InventorsYossi Gross, Ehud Cohen, Israel Nissenkorn, David Lifschitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.
Claims26
A device for treatment of urinary stress incontinence, comprising:
- at least one electrode, which is adapted to be implanted in pelvic muscle of a patient;
- and
- a control unit, which receives signals indicative of abdominal pressure or strain in the patient and further comprises a processor which analyzes the signals and determines when an involuntary urine flow is likely, and when the analyzed signals exceed a predetermined threshold indicative of abdominal pressure or strain, applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to stress.
A method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence of a patient, comprising:
- implanting an electrode in a pelvic muscle of the patient;
- receiving a signal from the patient's body indicative of abdominal pressure or strain;
- analyzing the received signal using a processor;
- and
- responsive to the analyzed signal, applying an electrical waveform to the electrode, which stimulates the muscle to contract so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow.
A method according to 10, wherein the pelvic muscle comprises the levator ani muscle.
A device for inhibiting involuntary urine flow, comprising:
- at least one electrode, which is adapted to be implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient;
- sensor, which senses a change in pressure of an abdomen or a urinary bladder of the patient and generates a signal responsive thereto;
- and
- a control unit, which receives the signal, analyzes the signal to determine a level of abdominal stress of the patient, and, responsive thereto, applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract and inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to stress,
- wherein the control unit comprises a processor which analyzes the signals and determines when an involuntary urine flow is likely, whereupon the waveform is applied, and
- wherein the processor is programmable to vary one or more parameters associated with the application of the waveform.
A method for inhibiting involuntary urine flow of a patient, comprising:
- implanting an electrode in a pelvic muscle of the patient;
- receiving a pressure-measurement signal indicative of abdominal stress;
- and
- responsive to the signal, applying an electrical waveform to the electrode, which stimulates the muscle to contract so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow.
A method according to 17, wherein implanting the electrode in the pelvic muscle comprises implanting the electrode in the levator ani muscle.
A method for inhibiting involuntary urine flow of a patient, comprising:
- implanting an electrode in a pelvic muscle of the patient;
- receiving a strain-measurement signal indicative of abdominal stress;
- and
- responsive to the signal, applying an electrical waveform to the electrode, which stimulates the muscle to contract so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow.
A method according to 22, wherein implanting the electrode in the pelvic muscle comprises implanting the electrode in the levator ani muscle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.