Method and system for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to sacral plexus of a patient to provide therapy for urinary incontinence and urological disorders

• US 20050143783A1
• Filed: 05/11/2003
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuro and Cardiac Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Neuro and Cardiac Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Widhany, Angely, Boveja, Birinder R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,177,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A method and system for providing electrical pulses for neuromodulating sacral nerves of a patient utilizing an implantable stimulator. The implantable stimulator comprising a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module for coupling with an external stimulator. Control circuitry ensures selective operation of one pulse generator module. The external stimulator comprises a telemetry module for remotely activating (or de-activating) programs over the internet, to arrive at the optimal program for each patient. Once the optimal “dose” is titrated using the external stimulator, the implanted pulse generator can then be programmed to such parameters. The external stimulator in conjunction with the implanted stimulus receiver can override the implanted pulse generator, to provide extra dose of therapy or to conserve the implanted battery. The external stimulator is also networked to other computers. The external programmer may also comprise a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

Claims

1. A method to provide electrical pulses to a sacral plexus of a patient to provide therapy for at least one of urinary incontinence and urological disorders, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an implanted stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator comprises a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module;

b) providing an external stimulator for inductively coupling to said stimulus receiver module;

c) providing circuitry means for selectively operating one of said pulse generator module and said stimulus receiver module; and

d) providing an implanted lead, in electrical contact with said implanted stimulator, and at least one electrode in contact with said plexus;

whereby said electrical pulses are provided to said sacral plexus of a patient.

2. Method of claim 1, wherein said urinary incontinence and urological disorders further comprises treatment for at least one of urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, stress incontinence, functional incontinence, neuro-urological disorders, bladder control, bladder inflammation, and bladder pain such as may be caused by Interstitial cystitis disease or the like.

3. Method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus receiver further comprises a coil and circuitry.

4. Method of claim 1, wherein said implanted stimulator is programmable with an external programmer.

5. Method of claim 1, wherein said external stimulator comprising telemetry means, for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

6. Method of claim 1, wherein said external stimulator comprises means for networking with remote computers.

7. Method of claim 4, wherein said external programmer comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

8. Method of claim 1, wherein said implanted pulse generator module further comprises rechargeable power source, and is adapted to be recharged using an external power source.

9. Method of claim 1, wherein said electric pulses provided by said external stimulator and said stimulus receiver overrides said electric pulses provided by said implanted pulse generation module.

10. A method to stimulate sacral plexus of a patient using pulsed electrical stimulation, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an implantable stimulator, wherein said implantable stimulator comprises a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module;

b) providing an external stimulator with adjustable programs of stimulation for inductively coupling to said implanted stimulus receiver;

c) providing a lead connected with said implanted stimulator, and at least one electrode in contact with said sacral plexus;

d) determining suitable stimulation program for said patient, using said external stimulator; and

e) programming said implanted stimulator with said suitable stimulation program using an external programming means, whereby said pulsed electrical stimulation is delivered to said sacral plexus.

11. Method of claim 10, wherein said urinary incontinence and urological disorders further comprises treatment for at least one of urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, stress incontinence, functional incontinence, neuro-urological disorders, bladder control, bladder inflammation, and bladder pain such as may be caused by Interstitial cystitis disease or the like.

12. A method of claim 10, wherein said implanted stimulator further comprises circuitry means for selectively operating one of said implanted pulse generator module and said stimulus receiver module.

13. Method of claim 10, wherein said external stimulator comprising telemetry means for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

14. Method of claim 10, wherein said external stimulator comprises means for networking with remote computers.

15. Method of claim 10, wherein said external programmer means further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver means for patient location.

16. A system to neuromodulate sacral plexus of a patient, comprising:

a) an implantable stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator comprising a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module;

b) an external stimulator for inductively coupling to said stimulus receiver;

c) circuitry means to selectively operate one of said implanted pulse generator and said stimulus receiver;

d) an implanted lead with at least one electrode in contact with said sacral plexus;

whereby neuromodulation is provided to said sacral plexus selectively from one of said pulse generation module and said stimulus receiver module.

17. System of claim 16, wherein said external stimulator comprises a telemetry means for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

18. System of claim 16, wherein said external stimulator comprises means for networking with remote computers.

19. System of claim 16, wherein said external stimulator comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

20. System of claim 16, wherein said implanted pulse generator module further comprises rechargeable power source.

21. System of claim 16, wherein said external stimulator can be utilized to titrate said neuromodulation provided to said sacral plexus.

22. A system for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to sacral nerves of a patient to provide therapy for at least one of urinary incontinence and urological disorders, comprising:

a) an implantable stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator comprising a stimulus receiver module, and a pulse generator module programmable with a magnet;

b) an external stimulator for inductively coupling to said stimulus receiver;

c) circuitry means to selectively operate one of said pulse generator module and said stimulus receiver module; and

d) an implanted lead with at least one electrode in contact with said sacral nerves,

whereby said pulsed electrical stimulation is provided to said sacral nerves.

23. System of claim 22, wherein said urinary incontinence and urological disorders further comprises treatment for at least one of urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, stress incontinence, functional incontinence, neuro-urological disorders, bladder control, bladder inflammation, and bladder pain such as may be caused by Interstitial cystitis disease or the like.

24. System of claim 22, wherein said external stimulator comprising telemetry means for remotely controlling said external stimulator.

25. System of claim 24, wherein said remote control is over the internet.

26. System of claim 22, wherein said external stimulator is networked with remote computers.

27. System of claim 22, wherein said external stimulator comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

28. System of claim 22, wherein said implanted pulse generator further comprises rechargeable power source.

29. A system to provide therapy for at least one of urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, stress incontinence, functional incontinence, neuro-urological disorders, bladder inflammation, and bladder pain such as may be caused by Interstitial cystitis disease or the like, comprising:

a) an implanted stimulator, wherein said implanted stimulator is adopted to be rechargeable with an external power supply;

b) an external power source to recharge said implanted stimulator; and

c) an implanted lead connected to said implanted stimulator with at least one electrode in contact with sacral plexus,

whereby said electrical therapy is provided with said rechargable system.