Flexible tube sensor for sensing urinary sphincter pressure
First Claim
1. An implantable pressure sensor comprising:
- a housing;
a flexible tube containing fluid extending from the housing to a distal end; and
a sensing element mounted within the housing that senses a pressure level exerted by a sphincter on the flexible tube at a region of the tube spaced from the distal end when the tube is placed proximate to the sphincter; and
a processor adapted to receive the pressure level exerted by the sphincter sensed by the sensing element and transmit the pressure level exerted by the sphincter to an implantable stimulator configured to modulate the pressure level exerted by the sphincter based on a threshold pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure describes a therapeutic sphincter control system with a fluid tube pressure sensor. The system senses sphincter pressure and sends the information to a stimulator that is capable of stimulation therapy to control sphincter contractility, thus reducing unwanted urinary incontinence. Measuring sphincter pressure is accomplished through the use of a fluid-filled tube placed through the sphincter and attached to a module implanted within the bladder. Pressure within the tube is transduced to generate an electrical signal that is sent wirelessly to an implanted stimulator connected to a lead positioned near pelvic floor nerves. An external device may be used to wirelessly send information to the implanted stimulator and inhibit stimulation in order for the patient to empty the bladder. Pressure information and stimulation information may be recorded and reviewed for continued patient monitoring. In addition, the system may only include the pressure sensor to monitor patient pressure information.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An implantable pressure sensor comprising:
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a housing; a flexible tube containing fluid extending from the housing to a distal end; and a sensing element mounted within the housing that senses a pressure level exerted by a sphincter on the flexible tube at a region of the tube spaced from the distal end when the tube is placed proximate to the sphincter; and a processor adapted to receive the pressure level exerted by the sphincter sensed by the sensing element and transmit the pressure level exerted by the sphincter to an implantable stimulator configured to modulate the pressure level exerted by the sphincter based on a threshold pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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sensing, with an implantable pressure sensor comprising a housing, a flexible tube containing fluid extending from the housing to a distal end, and a sensing element mounted within the housing, a pressure level exerted by a sphincter on the flexible tube at a region of the tube spaced from the distal end when the tube is placed proximate to the sphincter; and transmitting the pressure level exerted by the sphincter to an implantable stimulator configured to modulate the pressure level exerted by the sphincter based on a threshold pressure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification