Systems and methods for selectively stimulating components in, on, or near the pudendal nerve or its branches to achieve selective physiologic responses
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a physiological function comprising at least one electrode sized and configured to be located on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve away from a sacral root, and a pulse generator adapted to be coupled to the electrode to apply an electrical signal to selectively stimulate the targeted component.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods selectively stimulate components of the pudendal nerve away from the sacral root to evoke desired physiologic responses in persons who lack the ability to otherwise produce these responses—e.g., maintain continence and/or produce micturition, and/or provide male/female sexuality responses, and/or provide bowel responses. The systems and methods use a multiple electrode array, or individual electrodes, placed on, in, or near the pudendal nerve. The electrode array, or individual electrodes, in association with a pulse generator, provide selective stimulation of individual fascicles within the pudendal nerve, to achieve different physiologic responses.
97 Citations
99 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a physiological function comprising
at least one electrode sized and configured to be located on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve away from a sacral root, and a pulse generator adapted to be coupled to the electrode to apply an electrical signal to selectively stimulate the targeted component.
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17. A method for controlling a physiological function comprising the steps of
placing at least one electrode on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve away from a sacral root, and applying an electrical signal to the electrode to selectively stimulate the targeted component.
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30. A system for monitoring bladder function comprising
at least one recording electrode sized and configured to be located on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve to sense electrical activity relating to bladder function, and a processor to generate an informational signal based upon the electrical activity sensed by the recording electrode.
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49. A method for monitoring bladder function comprising the steps of
placing at least one recording electrode on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve to sense electrical activity relating to bladder function, and generating an informational signal based, at least in part, upon the electrical activity sensed by the recording electrode.
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68. A system for monitoring lower bowel function comprising
at least one recording electrode sized and configured to be located on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve to sense electrical activity relating to lower bowel function, and a processor to generate an informational signal based upon the electrical activity sensed by the recording electrode.
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84. A method for monitoring lower bowel function comprising the steps of
placing at least one recording electrode on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve to sense electrical activity relating to lower bowel function, and generating an informational signal based, at least in part, upon the electrical activity sensed by the recording electrode.
Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
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Original AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
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InventorsCreasey, Graham H., Grill, Warren M., Gustafson, Kenneth J.
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current607/40
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CPC Class CodesA61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve ...A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodesA61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cel...A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointe...A61N 1/36107 Sexual dysfunction stimulat...A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode ...
