External bladder sensor for sensing bladder condition
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- sensing a bladder condition via a implanted sensor attached to an exterior surface of a bladder; and
generating information based on the sensed bladder condition.
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Abstract
The disclosure describes an implantable bladder sensor that is attachable to an exterior surface of a urinary bladder to sense bladder condition or activity. The sensor may include a strain gauge that detects mechanical deformation of the bladder. Mechanical deformation may be indicative of a gradual filling of the bladder, or an instantaneous contraction indicating an imminent urine voiding event. Wireless telemetry circuitry within the sensor transmits information to implanted electrical stimulator that delivers electrical stimulation for alleviating urinary incontinence, or to an external programmer that controls the implanted stimulator.
52 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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sensing a bladder condition via a implanted sensor attached to an exterior surface of a bladder; and
generating information based on the sensed bladder condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An implantable electrical stimulation system comprising:
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an implantable sensor that senses a condition of a bladder;
a fixation structure that attaches the implantable sensor to an exterior surface of the bladder; and
processing circuitry that generates information based on the sensed bladder condition. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a sensor housing;
a sensing element, associated with the housing, that senses a condition of a bladder;
a fixation structure that fixes the sensor housing to an exterior surface of the bladder; and
processing circuitry that generates information based upon the sensed bladder condition. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification