Electronic stimulator implant for modulating and synchronizing bladder and sphincter function
First Claim
1. An electronic stimulator implant for improving bladder voiding and preventing bladder hyperreflexia in a patient, said electronic stimulator implant comprising:
- a) a tonicity signal generator generating a tonicity signal for preventing said bladder hyperreflexia;
b) a self-contained power supply connected to said tonicity signal generator, for powering said tonicity signal generator;
c) a voiding signal generator generating a voiding signal for voiding said bladder;
d) a power-receiving circuit connected to said voiding signal generator, said power-receiving circuit including a receiver coil, for powering said voiding signal generator;
e) an electrode having a first end for connecting to said implant, and a second end for connecting to a sacral nerve, for transmitting said tonicity and voiding signals to said sacral nerve;
whereby when said voiding signal generator is activated, said voiding signal is generated, activating detrusor muscle contraction, thereby causing bladder voiding.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to lower urinary dysfunctions and more particularly to an electronic stimulator implant and method to improve bladder voiding and prevent bladder hyperreflexia. There is provided an electronic stimulator implant for which comprises a tonicity signal generator generating a tonicity signal which prevents bladder hyperreflexia combined with a voiding signal generator generating a voiding signal for voiding the bladder. The implant is connected to an end of an electrode, and the second end thereof is connected to a sacral nerve. When the voiding key (or switch) is activated, the voiding signal is generated which activates detrusor muscle contraction, causing bladder voiding. The voiding may be achieved without dyssynergia, by activating detrusor muscle contraction without activating external urethral sphincter contraction. The tonicity signal may be provided intermittently. The implant may be activated by a manually activated external controller.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electronic stimulator implant for improving bladder voiding and preventing bladder hyperreflexia in a patient, said electronic stimulator implant comprising:
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a) a tonicity signal generator generating a tonicity signal for preventing said bladder hyperreflexia;
b) a self-contained power supply connected to said tonicity signal generator, for powering said tonicity signal generator;
c) a voiding signal generator generating a voiding signal for voiding said bladder;
d) a power-receiving circuit connected to said voiding signal generator, said power-receiving circuit including a receiver coil, for powering said voiding signal generator;
e) an electrode having a first end for connecting to said implant, and a second end for connecting to a sacral nerve, for transmitting said tonicity and voiding signals to said sacral nerve;
whereby when said voiding signal generator is activated, said voiding signal is generated, activating detrusor muscle contraction, thereby causing bladder voiding.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for generating a bladder tonicity signal and a bladder voiding signal in an implant, comprising:
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a) providing a tonicity signal generator generating a tonicity signal for preventing bladder hyperreflexia;
b) providing a voiding signal generator generating a voiding signal for activating bladder voiding;
c) powering and controlling said voiding signal generator to activate bladder voiding on demand;
d) powering said tonicity signal generator to provide said tonicity signal substantially continuously to prevent bladder hyperreflexia. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for improving bladder voiding and preventing hyperreflexia in a patient, comprising:
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a) implanting an electronic stimulator implant having an output connected to an electrode which is located in a subcutaneous pouch of said patient, said electronic stimulator implant comprising a tonicity signal generator generating a tonicity signal for preventing said bladder hyperreflexia;
b) connecting a free end of said electrode to a sacral nerve, thereby transmitting said one of both tonicity or voiding signal to said sacral nerve;
c) powering said voiding signal generator;
d) placing an external controller for said electronic stimulator implant in proximity thereof, and causing said controller to activate said voiding signal generator and transmit said voiding signal to said sacral nerve upon command; and
e) powering said tonicity signal generator to provide said tonicity signal substantially continuously to prevent bladder hyperreflexia. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification