Apparatus for stimulating components in, on, or near the pudendal nerve or its branches to achieve selective physiologic responses

• US 20060184208A1
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Original Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Inventors: Boggs, Joseph W. II, Wenzel, Brian J., Grill, Warren M., Gustafson, Kenneth J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,571,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36196 Frequency modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

Apparatus for control of physiological functions, including physiological functions of the urinary tract, using at least one electrode sized and configured to be located on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve, and/or its branch(es), and/or its spinal root(s). The apparatus includes a controller coupled to the electrode to apply an electrical signal having an amplitude to the electrode at a selected frequency to stimulate the targeted component. The controller operates in a first mode to apply a first frequency or range of frequencies without substantially changing the amplitude for achieving a first physiologic response (e.g., controlling urinary continence) and the controller operates in a second mode to apply a second frequency or range of frequencies, different than the first frequency, for achieving a second physiologic response different than the first physiologic response (e.g., controlling micturition).

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a physiological function comprising:

at least one electrode placed on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve, and/or its branch(es), and/or its spinal root(s),

a controller coupled to the electrode to apply an electrical signal having an amplitude, the controller to apply the electrical signal to the electrode to selectively stimulate the targeted component, the controller being operable in a first mode to apply the electrical signal at a first frequency or range of frequencies without substantially changing the amplitude to achieve a first desired physiologic response, the controller being operable in a second mode to apply the electrical signal at a second frequency or range of frequencies without substantially changing the amplitude to achieve a second desired physiologic response different than the first physiologic response.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the targeted component comprises a urethral afferent of the pudendal nerve and/or afferent nerve fibers in the deep perineal nerve.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the physiological function comprises one of controlling urinary incontinence and controlling micturition.

4. An apparatus for controlling a physiological function comprising:

at least one electrode placed on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve, and/or its branch(es), and/or its spinal root(s),

a controller coupled to the electrode to apply an electrical signal having an amplitude, the controller to apply the electrical signal to the electrode to selectively stimulate the targeted component, the controller being operable in a first mode to apply the electrical signal at a first frequency or range of frequencies without substantially changing the amplitude to control micturition, the controller being operable in a second mode to apply the electrical signal at a second frequency or range of frequencies without substantially changing the amplitude to control urinary incontinence.

5. An apparatus for controlling a physiological function of the lower urinary tract comprising:

at least one electrode placed on, in, or near afferent nerve fibers in the deep perineal nerve,

a controller coupled to the electrode to apply an electrical signal having an amplitude, the controller to apply the electrical signal to the electrode to selectively stimulate the afferent nerve fibers in the deep perineal nerve, the controller being operable in a first mode to apply the electrical signal at a first frequency or range of frequencies without substantially changing the amplitude to achieve a first desired physiologic response, the controller being operable in a second mode to apply the electrical signal at a second frequency or range of frequencies without substantially changing the amplitude to achieve a second desired physiologic response different than the first physiologic response.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5

wherein the physiological function comprises one of controlling urinary incontinence and controlling micturition.