Urinary incontinence device and method and stimulation device and method
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for the treatment of urinary incontinence comprising:
- a shaft;
a balloon surrounding at least a portion of the shaft and configured for movement between an inflated state and a deflated state;
a first electrode coupled to a first portion of an outer surface of the balloon, the first electrode configured to cause a contraction of at least one muscle in communication with the first electrode;
a second portion of outer surface of the balloon having a longitudinal fold having a thickness less than the first portion of the balloon and separating the first portion from a third portion of the outer surface of the balloon along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the second portion being exposed to an exterior of the apparatus when the balloon is in the deflated state; and
a second electrode coupled to the third portion;
wherein the balloon is configured to inflate in a radially non-uniform manner in response to the difference in thicknesses of the first portion and the second portion.
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Abstract
A method for treating urinary incontinence is provided. The method includes providing a device having an expandable portion having an outer surface, 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 inflate such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls and causing a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrode.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the treatment of urinary incontinence comprising:
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a shaft; a balloon surrounding at least a portion of the shaft and configured for movement between an inflated state and a deflated state; a first electrode coupled to a first portion of an outer surface of the balloon, the first electrode configured to cause a contraction of at least one muscle in communication with the first electrode; a second portion of outer surface of the balloon having a longitudinal fold having a thickness less than the first portion of the balloon and separating the first portion from a third portion of the outer surface of the balloon along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the second portion being exposed to an exterior of the apparatus when the balloon is in the deflated state; and a second electrode coupled to the third portion; wherein the balloon is configured to inflate in a radially non-uniform manner in response to the difference in thicknesses of the first portion and the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A stimulation device for creating a pleasurable sensation in a user comprising:
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an expandable portion configured to assume a plurality of states of expansion between minimum expansion and maximum expansion; a vibrating element spaced from an outer surface of the expandable portion; and an electrode coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion, the electrode configured to transmit electrical current to a muscle in communication with the electrode to cause a contraction of the muscle; the expandable portion comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions separated by a longitudinal fold, the electrode coupled to the first portion and the vibrating element adjacent to one of the first and second portions, wherein the longitudinal fold is exposed to an exterior of the stimulation device when in a non-expanded state. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A stimulation device for creating a pleasurable sensation in a user comprising:
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a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being interconnected to a housing; an operative portion located between the proximal end and the distal end and configured to be located within at least one of a vagina, an anal canal, and a rectum when the device is in an inserted position; only one balloon circumferentially surrounding the operative portion of the shaft, the balloon comprising first and second surfaces separated by a longitudinal fold; and a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes disposed on the first and second surfaces, respectively, of the balloon and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the first and second electrodes; wherein the balloon is configured to inflate such that the first and second electrodes press against at least one wall of the at least one of a vagina, an anal canal, and a rectum.
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Specification