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Systems and methods for treating disorders by selectively activating and/or blocking muscles through intrafasicular stimulation of the pudendal nerve

  • US 8,630,711 B1
  • Filed: 10/02/2009
  • Issued: 01/14/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a disorder comprising,a. identifying a patient suffering from at least one disorder selected from the group consisting of bladder dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, and bowel elimination disorders;

  • b. accessing a first pudendal nerve of the patient;

    c. providing a first microelectrode array having a plurality of microelectrodes that are electrically individually addressable, and the plurality of microelectrodes are mounted on a common planar substrate substantially perpendicular to one another;

    d. inserting the first microelectrode array into the first pudendal nerve such that the plurality of microelectrodes penetrate intrafascicularly into the pudendal nerve;

    e. electronically associating a controller with the first microelectrode array; and

    f. programming the controller for selective stimulation by microelectrodes of the first micro electrode array, said selective stimulation being tuned for selective stimulation of at least one muscle selected from the group consisting of the external urethral sphincter, the detrusor muscle, the anal sphincter, and the cavernous smooth musculature of the penis.

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