Systems and methods for bilateral stimulation of left and right branches of the dorsal genital nerves to treat dysfunctions, such as urinary incontinence

• US 20060004421A1
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Strother, Robert B., Bennett, Maria E., Thrope, Geoffrey B., Zmina, Therese, Mrya, Joseph J., Grill, Julie H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,565,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36107 Sexual dysfunction stimulating genital organs A61N1/36007
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Systems and methods treat urinary incontinence by the bilateral stimulation of the left and/or right branches of the dorsal genital nerves using a single lead implanted in adipose or other tissue in the region at or near the pubic symphysis.

Claims

1. A system for stimulating a left and/or right branch of the dorsal genital nerves to treat urinary incontinence comprising

a stimulation electrode sized and configured to be implanted in tissue in a region at or near a pubic symphysis,

a pulse generator to convey electrical stimulation waveforms to the stimulation electrode to stimulate the left branch and/or the right branch of the dorsal genital nerves.

2. A system according to claim 1

wherein the pulse generator is sized and configured to be implanted in tissue.

3. A system according to claim 1

wherein the pulse generator is sized and configured to be implanted in tissue remote from the pubic symphysis.

4. A system according to claim 1

wherein the stimulation electrode is sized and configured to be implanted in adipose tissue.

5. A system according to claim 1

wherein only one stimulation electrode is implanted.

6. A system according to claim 5

wherein the stimulation waveforms conveyed to the one stimulation electrode affect bilateral stimulation of the left and right branches of the dorsal genital nerves.

7. A kit of devices to treat urinary incontinence comprising

a stimulation electrode sized and configured to be implanted in tissue,

a pulse generator for generating electrical stimulation waveforms,

a lead to couple the stimulation electrode to the pulse generator, and

instructions for implanting the stimulation electrode in tissue in a region at or near a pubic symphysis, coupling the stimulation electrode to the pulse generator via the lead, and stimulating the left and/or right branches of the dorsal genital nerves by conveying electrical stimulation waveforms from the pulse generator to the stimulation electrode.

8. A kit according to claim 7

wherein the instructions include implanting the pulse generator in tissue remote from the pubic symphysis.

9. A kit according to claim 8

wherein the instructions include implanting the pulse generator in tissue at or near the anterior iliac spine of the pelvis.

10. A kit according to claim 7

wherein the instructions include implanting the stimulation electrode in adipose tissue at or near the pubic symphysis.

11. A kit according to claim 10

wherein the instructions include bilaterally stimulating the left and/or right branches of the dorsal genital nerves by conveying electrical stimulation waveforms from the pulse generator to the stimulation electrode.

12. A kit according to claim 7

wherein the instructions include implanting a single stimulation electrode in adipose tissue at or near the pubic symphysis.

13. A kit according to claim 12

wherein the instructions include bilaterally stimulating the left and/or right branches of the dorsal genital nerves by conveying electrical stimulation waveforms from the pulse generator to the single stimulation electrode.

14. A method for treating urinary incontinence comprising implanting a stimulation electrode in tissue at or near a pubic symphysis, and applying stimulation waveforms to the stimulation electrode to achieve stimulation of left and/or right branches of the dorsal genital nerves.

15. A method according to claim 14

wherein a single stimulation electrode is implanted.

16. A method according to claim 15

wherein applying the stimulation waveforms achieves bilateral stimulation of the left and right branches of the genital dorsal nerves.

17. A method according to claim 14

further including implanting a pulse generator at a location remote from the pubic symphysis, and coupling the pulse generator to the stimulation electrode.