Electrical stimulation adjunct (add-on) therapy for urinary incontinence and urological disorders using an external stimulator
First Claim
1. An apparatus for neuromodulation of the sacral nerves comprising:
- a) an implantable lead-receiver comprising a secondary coil and at least one electrode capable of stimulating a sacral nerve;
b) an external stimulator comprising a power source, circuitry to emit electrical signals, at least two predetermined programs to control said electrical signals, and a primary coil;
c) said primary coil of said external stimulator and said secondary coil of said implantable lead-receiver being capable of forming an electrical connection by inductive coupling, whereby said external stimulator is capable of controlling the stimulation of said sacral nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for neuromodulation therapy for urinary incontinence and urological disorders comprises an implantable lead-receiver, and an external stimulator having a power source, controlling circuitry, and predetermined programs. The stimulator further includes a primary coil which inductively transfers electrical signals to the lead-receiver, which is also in electric contact with the sacral nerves. The external stimulator emits electrical pulses to stimulate the sacral plexus according to a predetermined program. In a second mode of operation, an operator may manually override the predetermined sequence of stimulation.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for neuromodulation of the sacral nerves comprising:
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a) an implantable lead-receiver comprising a secondary coil and at least one electrode capable of stimulating a sacral nerve;
b) an external stimulator comprising a power source, circuitry to emit electrical signals, at least two predetermined programs to control said electrical signals, and a primary coil;
c) said primary coil of said external stimulator and said secondary coil of said implantable lead-receiver being capable of forming an electrical connection by inductive coupling, whereby said external stimulator is capable of controlling the stimulation of said sacral nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method to provide therapy for at least one of urinary incontinence, neurourological disorders, bladder control, bladder inflammation, and bladder pain such as may be caused by Interstitial cystitis disease or the like, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an implantable lead-receiver comprising a secondary coil and at least one electrode to stimulate a sacral nerve;
b) providing an external stimulator comprising circuitry to emit electrical signals, at least two programs to control said electrical signals, an external coil and a power supply;
c) activating one of said at least two programs of said external stimulator to emit said electrical signals to said external coil;
d) inductively transferring said electrical signals from said external coil of said external stimulator to said secondary coil of said lead-receiver;
whereby said electrical signals stimulate said sacral nerve according to at least one of said at least two predetermined programs. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for neuromodulating the sacral nerves, comprising:
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a) selecting a predetermined program to control the output of an external stimulator;
b) activating said external stimulator to emit electrical signals in accordance with said predetermined program; and
c) inductively coupling said external stimulator with an implantable lead-receiver to stimulate a sacral nerve. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification