Uterine electrical stimulation system and method

• US 8,972,028 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2011
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dignity Health (CommonSpirit Health (Illinois))
• Original Assignee: Dignity Health (CommonSpirit Health (Illinois))
• Inventors: Garfield, Robert E., Carp, Harvey, Maner, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): KAHELIN, MICHAEL WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US13/881,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20130261702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 607/138
• US Class Current: 607/138
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0521 Genital electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

Systems and methods for applying stimulating current to a patient for treating insufficient uterine contractions are provided. The system includes stimulation electrodes of a balloon electrode array device, a ring electrode array device, an electrode probe device, or a mesh electrode array device. Some aspects of the invention also provide a connector and cable device for coupling the stimulation electrodes to electronics for generating and providing the stimulating current to the stimulation electrodes.

Claims

1. A system configured to apply stimulating current to a patient for treating insufficient uterine contractions, the system comprising:

a balloon electrode array device configured to be coupled to one of a uterus, a cervix, a vaginal wall, and an abdominal wall of the patient to provide the stimulating current to the patient, the balloon electrode array device including

at least one balloon;

an access tube extending into the at least one balloon;

a plurality of lead wires routed through the access tube and into an inside portion of the balloon;

a plurality of electrodes, each one of the plurality of electrodes coupled to one of the plurality of lead wires, the plurality of electrodes extending from the inside portion of the balloon to an outer surface of the balloon; and

a current source coupled to the plurality of lead wires and configured to control the operation of the electrodes to apply the stimulating current to the patient for treating insufficient uterine contractions.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a core extending into the inside portion of the balloon.

3. The system as recited in claim 2 in which the core comprises a semi-rigid material.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 in which the at least one balloon is constructed of at least one of latex, rubber, silicone, and a biocompatible stretchable polymer.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 in which the at least one balloon is inflatable via an inflating material introduced through the access tube.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 in which the at least one balloon includes an outer balloon and an inner balloon.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 in which a conductive portion of each of the plurality of electrodes extends from the inside portion of the balloon to the outer surface of the balloon.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a drainage tube.

9. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes are coated with and used to administer a medication.