Cavernous nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Method of stimulating a cavernous nerve, comprising:
- providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes;
configuring the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a cavernous nerve;
applying the stimulation to the cavernous nerve to effectively select efferent fibers, thereby treating erectile dysfunction while limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation.
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Abstract
Methods of using unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs) for cavernous nerve stimulation and for certain disorders are provided. Stimulators capable of creating such UPAPs include, but are not limited to, miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators), possibly with programmably configurable electrodes.
292 Citations
26 Claims
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1. Method of stimulating a cavernous nerve, comprising:
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providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes;
configuring the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a cavernous nerve;
applying the stimulation to the cavernous nerve to effectively select efferent fibers, thereby treating erectile dysfunction while limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Method of stimulating a cavernous nerve, comprising:
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providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes;
configuring the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a cavernous nerve;
applying the stimulation to the cavernous nerve to effectively select orthodromic action potentials traveling in one direction along the nerve, thereby limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. Method of stimulating a cavernous nerve, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes;
configuring the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a cavernous nerve;
applying the stimulation to the cavernous nerve to effectively select orthodromic action potentials traveling in one direction along the nerve, thereby limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification