Urgency therapy with neuromodulation and C-afferent nerve desensitization
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- administering a pharmacological agent to a patient in a dosage sufficient to desensitize a C-afferent nerve fiber of the patient; and
delivering electrical stimulation to activate a nerve fiber proximate to the C-afferent nerve fiber via an electrode electrically coupled to an implantable medical device, wherein the nerve fiber is different than the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the stimulation of the nerve fiber elicits an inhibitory physiological response related to voiding in the patient, and wherein the stimulation substantially does not activate the C-afferent nerve fiber after desensitization of the nerve fiber via the administration of the pharmacological agent.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems (10), devices (16), and methods may be used for treating bladder dysfunction, such as urgency and pelvic pain. In one example, a method includes administering a pharmacological agent to a patient (14) in a dosage sufficient to desensitize a C-afferent nerve fiber of the patient. Additionally, the method includes delivering stimulation to activate a nerve fiber proximate to the C-afferent nerve fiber via an electrode (19A, 19B, 21A, 21B, 29A-29D) electrically coupled to an implantable medical device (16). In some examples, the nerve fiber may be different than the C-afferent nerve fiber, the stimulation of the nerve fiber may elicit an inhibitory physiological response related to voiding in the patient, and/or the stimulation substantially may not activate the C-afferent nerve fiber after desensitization of the nerve fiber via the administration of the pharmacological agent.
61 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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administering a pharmacological agent to a patient in a dosage sufficient to desensitize a C-afferent nerve fiber of the patient; and delivering electrical stimulation to activate a nerve fiber proximate to the C-afferent nerve fiber via an electrode electrically coupled to an implantable medical device, wherein the nerve fiber is different than the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the stimulation of the nerve fiber elicits an inhibitory physiological response related to voiding in the patient, and wherein the stimulation substantially does not activate the C-afferent nerve fiber after desensitization of the nerve fiber via the administration of the pharmacological agent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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receiving via a control module of an implantable medical device an indication that a pharmacological agent has been administered in a dosage sufficient to desensitize a C-afferent nerve fiber to a patient in which the implantable medical device is implanted; selecting via the control module an electrical stimulation therapy program based on the received indication; and controlling via the control module a therapy delivery module to generate and deliver electrical stimulation therapy in accordance with the electrical stimulation therapy program to activate a nerve fiber proximate to the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the nerve fiber is different than the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the electrical stimulation therapy elicits an inhibitory physiological response related to voiding in the patient, and wherein the electrical stimulation therapy substantially does not activate the C-afferent nerve fiber after desensitization of the nerve fiber via the administration of the pharmacological agent. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to:
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receive via an implantable medical device an indication that a pharmacological agent has been administered in a dosage sufficient to desensitize a C-afferent nerve fiber to a patient in which the implantable medical device is implanted; select an electrical stimulation therapy program based on the received indication; and control a therapy delivery module to generate and deliver electrical stimulation therapy in accordance with the electrical stimulation therapy program to activate a nerve fiber proximate to the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the nerve fiber is different than the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the electrical stimulation therapy elicits an inhibitory physiological response related to voiding in the patient, and wherein the electrical stimulation therapy substantially does not activate the C-afferent nerve fiber after desensitization of the nerve fiber via the administration of the pharmacological agent. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A system comprising:
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means for administering a pharmacological agent to a patient in a dose sufficient to desensitize a C-afferent nerve fiber; and means for delivering electrical stimulation to activate a nerve fiber proximate to the C-afferent nerve fiber via an electrode electrically coupled to the means for delivering stimulation, wherein the nerve fiber is different than the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the stimulation of the nerve fiber elicits an inhibitory physiological response related to voiding in the patient, and wherein the stimulation substantially does not activate the C-afferent nerve fiber after desensitization of the nerve fiber via the administration of the pharmacological agent. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system comprising:
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means for receiving an indication that a pharmacological agent has been administered to a patient in a dosage sufficient to desensitize a C-afferent nerve fiber in the patient; means for selecting an electrical stimulation therapy program based on the received indication; and means for generating and delivering electrical stimulation therapy in accordance with the electrical stimulation therapy program, wherein the electrical stimulation therapy program is configured to activate a nerve fiber proximate to the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the nerve fiber is different than the C-afferent nerve fiber, wherein the electrical stimulation therapy elicits an inhibitory physiological response related to voiding in the patient, and wherein the electrical stimulation therapy substantially does not activate the C-afferent nerve fiber. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification