NITRIC OXIDE GENERATION TO TREAT FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

• US 20110009692A1
• Filed: 12/28/2008
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rainbow Medical Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Rainbow Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Gross, Yossi
• Application Number:
  US12/810,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20110009692A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Apparatus for treating female sexual dysfunction of a subject is provided. A manual insertion device (20) is configured to be inserted by the subject into a vagina of the subject and removed by the subject from the vagina of the subject. At least one electrode (24) is coupled to the insertion device. A control unit (22) is configured to chronically increase nitric oxide production by tissue of the subject by driving the electrode to drive an electric current into the vagina. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treating female sexual dysfunction of a subject, comprising:

a manual insertion device configured to be inserted by the subject into a vagina of the subject and removed by the subject from the vagina of the subject;

at least one electrode coupled to the insertion device; and

a control unit, configured to chronically increase nitric oxide production by tissue of the subject by driving the electrode to drive an electric current into the vagina.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a total length of the apparatus is 4-10 cm.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manual insertion device is configured to be inserted into the vagina of the subject in accordance with a schedule unrelated to timing of sexual intercourse of the subject.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the manual insertion device is configured to be inserted into the vagina of the subject for between half an hour and two hours in a day, in accordance with a schedule unrelated to timing of sexual intercourse of the subject.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the manual insertion device is configured to be inserted into the vagina of the subject for between two hours and five hours in a day, in accordance with a schedule unrelated to timing of sexual intercourse of the subject.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion device is configured to administer a drug.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion device is configured to control a pH of the vagina.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion device is configured to control an odor of the vagina.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to configure the electric current to have a frequency that is between 8 Hz and 20 Hz.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to configure the electric current to have an amplitude that is between 1 mA and 5 mA.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to treat urge incontinence by driving the electrode to drive an electric current into the vagina.

25. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manual insertion device comprises a compressible material.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the manual insertion device is configured:

to be inserted into the vagina by being compressed, and

upon having been inserted into the vagina, to conform to a shape of a vaginal cavity of the subject, by expanding.

7. (canceled)

9-12. -12. (canceled)

14-17. -17. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

23-24. -24. (canceled)

27-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A method for treating female sexual dysfunction of a subject, comprising:

driving an electric current from within a vagina of the subject; and

configuring the electric current to chronically increase nitric oxide production by tissue of the subject.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising inserting an electrode into the vagina in accordance with a schedule, wherein driving the electric current comprises driving the electric current via the electrode while the electrode is inserted.

32. The method according to claim 30, further comprising surgically implanting an electrode inside the vagina, and wherein driving the electric current comprises driving the electric current via the electrode while the electrode is implanted.

33. The method according to claim 30, wherein driving the electric current comprises inserting by the subject into the vagina an insertion device that is coupled to an electrode, and driving the electric current via the electrode.

34. The method according to claim 30, wherein driving the electric current comprises configuring the electric current to have a frequency that is between 8 Hz and 20 Hz.

36. The method according to claim 30, wherein driving the electric current comprises configuring the electric current to have an amplitude between 1 mA and 5 mA.

38. The method according to claim 30, further comprising controlling a pH of the vagina.

40. The method according to claim 38, wherein controlling the pH of the vagina comprises electrically controlling the pH.

44. The method according to claim 30, further comprising controlling an odor of the vagina.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein controlling the odor of the vagina comprises electrically controlling the odor.

35. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

41-43. -43. (canceled)

46-55. -55. (canceled)

56. A method, comprising:

identifying a subject as suffering from female sexual dysfunction; and

treating the sexual dysfunction by driving an electric current from within a vagina of the subject in accordance with a schedule unrelated to timing of sexual intercourse of the subject.

57-69. -69. (canceled)