Methods and systems for selective control of bladder function
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a bladder or a bowel, said method comprising:
- applying alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs to a nerve that innervates said bowel or bladder; and
applying alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs to said nerve to void the bladder or bowel, while continuing to apply the alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for selective inhibition of somatic nerve fibers in a mixed nerve containing both somatic and autonomic nerve fibers where the method finds use in treatment of chronic pain, spastic muscles and for sensory and motor control of a bladder. The methods and systems utilize alternate phase rectangular electrical pulses. An electrical pulse generator is coupled to a nerve. An alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse is first applied to selectively inhibit somatic nerves when present in a mixed nerve. An alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude phase pulse subsequently supplied to stimulate the autonomic nerve fibers and in the case of the sacral root will permit a controlled voiding of the bladder and bowel.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a bladder or a bowel, said method comprising:
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applying alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs to a nerve that innervates said bowel or bladder; and
applying alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs to said nerve to void the bladder or bowel, while continuing to apply the alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for controlling a bladder or bowel, said system comprising:
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an electrical pulse generator configured to produce alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulses and an alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulses to a sacral nerve;
at least one electrode that can be coupled to a nerve and transmit an electrical signal from said pulse generator to said nerve; and
an external power source electromagnetically coupled to the electrical pulse generator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of controlling a bladder or a bowel, the method comprising:
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providing an electrical pulse generator;
operatively linking the electrical pulse generator to at least one nerve;
applying alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs to the nerve; and
applying low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs to the nerve to void the bladder while continuing to apply the alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for controlling a bladder or bowel, said system comprising:
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an electrical pulse generator configured to produce alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulses and an alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulses to a sacral nerve;
at least one electrode that can be coupled to a nerve and transmit an electrical signal from said pulse generator to said nerve; and
a pressure sensitive switch on the electrical pulse generator. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification