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Fully implantable neurostimulator for autonomic nerve fiber stimulation as a therapy for urinary and bowel dysfunction

  • US 8,214,048 B1
  • Filed: 03/10/2006
  • Issued: 07/03/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of operating an implantable stimulator to treat a bowel dysfunction characterized by at least one of fecal urgency, fecal frequency, fecal retention and fecal incontinence, the method comprising:

  • implanting, by injection via a needle or through an incision, at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes adjacent to at least one target nerve comprising at least one of a rectal, inferior hypogastric, prostatic, vesical or uterovaginal nerve plexus;

    a thoracic root;

    a thoracic spinal nerve;

    a lumbar root;

    a lumbar spinal nerve;

    a hypogastric nerve;

    a superior hypogastric nerve plexus;

    an inferior hypogastric nerve plexus;

    a greater splanchnic nerve;

    a lesser splanchnic nerve;

    a least splanchnic nerve;

    a lumbar splanchnic nerve;

    or branches thereof;

    providing stimulation parameters to the at least one implantable stimulator;

    generating stimulation pulses in accordance with the stimulation parameters; and

    delivering the stimulation pulses to the at least one target nerve in order to treat at least one of fecal urgency, fecal frequency, fecal retention and fecal incontinence;

    wherein the implantable stimulator has a size and shape suitable for placement adjacent to the at least one target nerve via a needle or cannula.

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