Incontinence electrode apparatus and method

• US 5,314,465 A
• Filed: 01/14/1993
• Issued: 05/24/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Encore Medical Asset Corporation (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: EMPI Incorporated (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Kipnis, Alexander, Maurer, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US07/980,902
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 128/788, 128/784-786, 128/642, 607/116, 607/138
• US Class Current: 607/138
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00523 Treatment of incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4922 with molding of insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49222 forming array of contacts or terminals

Abstract

An incontinence electrode for controlling urinary incontinence in women is made of alternating bands of conductive and non-conductive polymers molded to form a tubular body. Electrical receptacles, formed in the molding process at the interior circumferential surface of the conductive polymer bands, accept metal contacts attached to electrical leads to make a secure and durable, mechanical and electrical connection between the conductive polymer bands and the leads. The leads are coupled to a controller and carry electrical current to and from the metal contacts which then distribute the current to the conductive polymer bands to cause a contraction of the vaginal muscles responsible for controlling urinary incontinence in women.

Claims

1. A urinary incontinence electrode for stimulation of vaginal musculature, the electrode comprising a resilient hollow cylindrical body having an outer surface, an inner surface and opposing sealed ends, the inner surface and opposing sealed ends defining an enclosed, generally cylindrical cavity, the body further having a first conductive region and a second conductive region disposed on the outer surface, the first and second conductive regions being separated by a non-conductive region and being configured for electrical connection to an electric power source, wherein upon being electrically connected to the electric power source, inserted into a vagina, and activated by the electric power source, the cylindrical body flexes inwardly in response to a contraction of the vaginal musculature.

2. The urinary incontinence electrode of claim 1 wherein the inner and outer surface of the body define a wall which has a thickness of between about 0.14 inches to about 0.26 inches.

3. The urinary incontinence electrode of claim 2 wherein the body is a polymeric body.

4. The urinary incontinence of claim 1 wherein first and second conductive regions have an impedance approximately that of vaginal tissue.

5. The urinary incontinence electrode of claim 4 wherein first and second conductive regions have a resistivity of about 5.5 ohm-cm.

6. An electrical stimulation system for activation of body cavity musculature, the stimulation system comprising:

a polymeric tube having a first end, a second end and a lumen extending between the first end and the second end, the polymeric tube further having a first conductive region and a second conductive region located on an outer surface of the tube, the first conductive region separated from the second conductive region by a non-conductive region;

means for sealing the first and the second end of the polymeric tube to enclose the lumen of the polymeric tube; and

means for electrically coupling the first and second conductive regions to an electrical power source, wherein the tube is resilient to permit flexing and the lumen and a cylindrical wall of the tube have dimensions which permit the polymeric tube to be inserted into a body cavity and to radially flex in response to a contraction of the body cavity musculature.

7. The electrical stimulation system of claim 6 wherein the polymeric tube further comprises a cylindrical wall having a thickness of between about 0.14 inches to about 0.26 inches, and an outer circumference of between about 2.42 inches to about 3.20 inches.