Systems and methods for selectively stimulating components in, on, or near the pudendal nerve or its branches to achieve selective physiologic responses
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- identifying at least two targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components that, when selectively stimulated affect the desired physiologic function; and
tuning an electrode configuration to achieve a selective electrical stimulation of the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components to achieve a desired physiologic function, the electrode configuration being positioned in a region of tissue away from a sacral root that includes the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components.
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Abstract
Systems and methods selectively stimulate components of the pudendal nerve away from the sacral root to evoke desired physiologic responses in persons who lack the ability to otherwise produce these responses—e.g., maintain continence and/or produce micturition, and/or provide male/female sexuality responses, and/or provide bowel responses. The systems and methods use a multiple electrode array, or individual electrodes, placed on, in, or near the pudendal nerve. The electrode array, or individual electrodes, in association with a pulse generator, provide selective stimulation of individual fascicles within the pudendal nerve, to achieve different physiologic responses.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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identifying at least two targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components that, when selectively stimulated affect the desired physiologic function; and tuning an electrode configuration to achieve a selective electrical stimulation of the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components to achieve a desired physiologic function, the electrode configuration being positioned in a region of tissue away from a sacral root that includes the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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identifying at least two targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components; implanting a multiple electrode array on a pudendal nerve trunk, the multiple electrode array being configured to stimulate selectively the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components; and tuning the multiple electrode array to achieve a selective electrical stimulation of the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components to achieve a desired physiologic function, the multiple electrode array being positioned in a region of tissue away from a sacral root that includes the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components; wherein said tuning comprises (i) mapping relative positions of targeted electrode or electrodes in the array with respect to the afferent and/or efferent components of the pudendal nerve trunk that, when selectively stimulated, affect the desired physiologic function, and (ii) defining operating parameters for the targeted electrode or electrodes to achieve the selective stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification