Rectal resonant muscle stimulator

• US 20040236385A1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Therapeutic Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Therapeutic Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Rowe, Bruce D., Campos, James M.
• Application Number:
  US10/770,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236385A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0512 Anal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A method and apparatus generate resonant sequences having pulses optimally spaced and configured to realize uniform contractions in a rectum musculature. Namely, each subsequent pulse maintains tension within sarcomeres of the rectum musculature as the resonant sequence propagates inwardly to progressively stimulate the entirety of the rectum musculature. Variation in the width, spacing, polarity and/or amplitude of the pulses comprising the resonant sequence further overcomes accommodation and nutritional depletion while minimizing discomfort.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating a rectum musculature including slow twitch muscle fibers, the rectum musculature positioned between first and second electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the rectum musculature, comprising:

applying a resonant sequence of pulses across the rectum musculature via a plurality of electrodes, wherein the resonant sequence includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses of the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in the rectum musculature inwardly from the electrodes and towards the center of the musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating the resonant sequence includes generating the resonant sequence to have first and second pulses that have a different pulse characteristic.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the different pulse characteristic is selected from among a group comprising:

width, amplitude, spacing, polarity, shape and some combination thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating the resonant sequence includes generating the resonant sequence to have first and second pulses that have an identical pulse characteristic.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the identical pulse characteristic is selected from among a group comprising:

width, amplitude, spacing, polarity, shape and some combination thereof.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the different parameter is selected from among the group comprising:

width, amplitude, spacing, polarity, shape and some combination thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pulses of the resonant sequence are spaced at around 3-10 microseconds apart.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first and second pulses have polarities determined according to a polar profile.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating the resonant sequence includes generating at least one pulse of the plurality of pulses to have a trailing, faradic waveform characteristic.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one pulse of the plurality of pulses is a square waveform.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating the resonant sequence includes generating a successive pulse of the plurality of pulses with a shorter width than a preceding pulse of the plurality of pulses.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising positioning a first electrode on a probe.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising rectally inserting the probe proximate the rectum musculature.

14. An apparatus for stimulating a rectum musculature that contracts in response to a threshold potential, comprising:

a stimulator configured to produce at least one signal for transcutaneous delivery to a rectum musculature that includes slow twitch muscle fibers, the rectum musculature positioned between at least two electrodes, wherein a probe configured for rectal insertion includes at least one of the two electrodes, the stimulator being operable to apply a resonant sequence of pulses across the electrodes, wherein the resonant sequence includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses in the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in the rectum musculature inwardly from the electrodes and toward the center of the rectum musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the rectum musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a pulse characteristic differs as between a first and second pulse of the plurality of pulses.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pulse characteristic is selected from among a group comprising:

width, amplitude, spacing, polarity, shape and some combination thereof.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the probe includes at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the stimulator receives input from a user interface.

19. A program product, comprising:

(a) a program for stimulating a rectum musculature that includes slow twitch muscle fibers, the rectum musculature being positioned between at least a first and second electrode respectively disposed at opposite ends of the rectum musculature, the program configured to initiate an application of a resonant sequence of pulses the rectum musculature via the electrodes, wherein the resonant sequence includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses in the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in the rectum musculature inwardly from the electrodes and toward the center of the rectum musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence; and

(b) a signal bearing medium bearing the program.

20. The program product of claim 19, wherein the signal bearing medium includes at least one of a recordable medium and a transmission-type medium.