Urinary incontinence device and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for treating urinary incontinence comprising:
- providing a device comprising;
an expandable portion having an outer surface; and
a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrodes;
causing the expandable portion to expand such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls; and
energizing the first and second electrodes sufficient to cause the contraction of the muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for treating urinary incontinence is provided. The method includes providing a device, the device including an expandable portion having an outer surface, and a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrodes. The method further includes causing the expandable portion to expand such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls, and causing a contraction of a muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes.
-
Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A method for treating urinary incontinence comprising:
-
providing a device comprising; an expandable portion having an outer surface; and a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrodes; causing the expandable portion to expand such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls; and energizing the first and second electrodes sufficient to cause the contraction of the muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An apparatus for the treatment of urinary incontinence comprising:
-
a shaft comprising a proximal end and extending substantially along a longitudinal axis; a balloon surrounding at least a portion of the shaft; an electrode coupled to a first portion of the balloon, the electrode configured to cause a contraction of at least one muscle in communication with the electrode; a second portion of the balloon; a handle housing coupled to the proximal end of the shaft; and a pump in communication with the balloon and configured to cause expansion of the balloon such that the electrode presses against a vaginal wall of a user, at least a portion of the pump disposed in the housing; wherein the first and second portions of the balloon cooperate such that the balloon expands in a radially non-uniform manner relative to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A system for treating urinary incontinence comprising:
-
a member comprising an expandable portion having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the third portion comprises at least one fold that allows for non-uniform expansion of the expandable portion; a first electrode disposed on the first portion of the expandable portion; a second electrode disposed on the second portion of the expandable portion; a memory; and processing electronics configured to cause a voltage between the first and second electrodes, the voltage causing contraction of a user'"'"'s vaginal muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes in response to data stored in the memory; wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes are not disposed on the third portion. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A system for treating urinary incontinence comprising:
-
a member comprising an expandable portion; a first electrode disposed on a first portion of the expandable portion; a second electrode disposed on a second portion of the expandable portion; a handle coupled to a first end of the expandable portion and configured to remain external the user when the expandable portion is inserted into the user; a pump supported in the handle, the pump in communication with the expandable portion and configured to cause expansion of the expandable portion wherein expansion of the expandable portion causes the first and second electrodes to press against a vaginal wall; a memory; and processing electronics configured to cause a voltage between the first and second electrodes, the voltage causing contraction of a user'"'"'s vaginal muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes in response to data stored in the memory.
-
-
31. A method for treating urinary incontinence comprising:
-
providing a device comprising; an expandable portion having an outer surface including a first portion having a first thickness, a second portion having a second thickness, and a third portion having a third thickness less than each of the first thickness and the second thickness, wherein the portions having the first, second, and third thicknesses cooperate to cause the expandable portion to expand in a radially non-uniform manner; and a first electrode located on the first portion of the expandable portion and a second electrode located on the second portion of the expandable portion, the first and second electrodes coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrodes; causing the expandable portion to expand in the radially non-uniform manner to substantially contour to an anatomy of a user such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls; and causing the contraction of the muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes.
-
-
32. A method for treating urinary incontinence comprising:
-
providing a device comprising; an expandable portion having an outer surface and including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion other than the first and second portions, the third portion having a plurality of folds, wherein the plurality of folds cause the expandable portion to expand in a radially non-uniform manner; and a first electrode located on the first portion of the expandable portion and a second electrode located on the second portion of the expandable portion, the first and second electrodes coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrodes; causing the expandable portion to expand in the radially non-uniform manner to substantially contour to an anatomy of a user such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls; and causing the contraction of the muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes.
-
Specification