Devices and methods for stimulating nerves

• US 9,737,707 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2016
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FemPulse, LLC
• Original Assignee: FemPulse, LLC
• Inventors: Haessler, Alexandra, Strul, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morales, Jon Eric C
• Application Number:
  US15/008,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20160256685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 607 39
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/388 Nerve conduction study, e.g. detecting action potential of peripheral nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1017 Peritoneal cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0514 Electrodes for the urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36107 Sexual dysfunction stimulating genital organs A61N1/36007
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

A device for stimulating nerves adjacent the vagina includes a nerve stimulating element coupled to a main body. The nerve stimulating element is positioned and designed to stimulate the vesical, Frankenhauser'"'"'s and/or inferior hypogastric plexuses. The device may reside in the vaginal fornices. An implant is also provided which has a nerve stimulating element in contact with a uterosacral ligament. The device positioned in the vagina may be used to charge a power source for an implant which may be a capacitor.

Claims

1. An implantable or vaginally inserted system for stimulating nerves, comprising:

a first body having an exterior surface;

a first nerve stimulating element coupled to the first body;

a first power source coupled to the first body; and

a first control system coupled to the first power source and the first nerve stimulating element;

the first power source being coupled to the first control system, the first power source being a capacitor sized to provide at least 2 days of power to operate under peak operating conditions.

2. An implantable or vaginally inserted system for stimulating nerves, comprising:

a first body having an exterior surface;

a first nerve stimulating element coupled to the first body;

a first power source coupled to the first body; and

a first control system coupled to the first power source and the first nerve stimulating element;

the first power source is coupled to the first control system, the first power source being a capacitor sized to provide no more than 60 days of power for under peak operating conditions.