Systems and methods for treating disorders by selectively activating and/or blocking muscles through intrafasicular stimulation of the pudendal nerve
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and related systems for treating patients suffering from several disorders including bladder dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, and bowel elimination disorders are disclosed and described. The method can include identification of the disorder followed by the step of accessing a pudendal nerve of the patient. A microelectrode array having a plurality of electrodes thereon is inserted into the pudendal nerve of the patient. A controller is electronically associated with the microelectrode array which is programmed to provide selective activation and/or blocking of various muscles using the microelectrodes of the array. The selective stimulation can be tuned to selectively activate or block 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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Citations
14 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification