NON-INVASIVE MODULATION OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for control of bladder function comprising a controlled heating device that facilitates voiding of the bladder when desired.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for modulation of the sympathetic-parasympathetic balance by application of heat, carotid and/or ocular message to reduce sympathetic tone or increase parasympathetic tone in a target muscle system to relieve a symptom of urinary hesitancy, shy bladder syndrome, DESD, urinary retention, or laryngeal spasm, as well as to monitor the efficacy of treatments for bladder conditions and to assist in the passage of medical devices through bodily sphincters as well as to treat congestive heart failure.
14 Citations
55 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for control of bladder function comprising a controlled heating device that facilitates voiding of the bladder when desired.
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10. An apparatus for control of bladder function, comprising:
at least one heating element disposed in a wearable appliance that applies heat to a body region distal to the bladder when voiding of the bladder is desired. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for control of bladder function in an individual, comprising:
a heat source disposed in a non-wearable fixed or portable appliance that controllably delivers heat to the individual when voiding of the bladder is desired. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A fixture for controllably applying heat locally, regionally and/or distally relative to a bladder area of an individual, the fixture comprising:
at least one heating element located as part of a toilet system, whereby the heating element delivers heat sufficient to facilitate voiding of the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. The fixture of claim 29, wherein at least one heating element is a pair of slippers dimensioned to provide heat to the feet.
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30. A balloon catheter comprising a balloon dimensioned to receive an inflation fluid that includes or activates one or more chemicals or reactive compounds that generate heat from the inflated balloon.
- 31. An intra-vaginal probe that comprises a heating element.
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33. A method for control of bladder function in treatment of urinary hesitancy, shy bladder and nocturia conditions in a patient, comprising:
supplying at least one heating appliance that is dimensioned to apply local heat to at least one area of the patient to facilitate voiding of the bladder when desired. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for control of bladder function in an individual, comprising:
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turning on a heat source disposed in non-wearable fixed or portable appliance that delivers heat locally and/or distally to the individual when voiding of the bladder is desired; and
turning off the heat source when voiding of the bladder is completed. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for quantitative self evaluation of efficacy of a treatment for urinary hesitancy comprising:
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determining a baseline urinary output flow by measuring urination volume over urination time;
initiating treatment; and
determining a series of treatment urinary output flow by urination volume over urination time measurements; and
evaluating the treatment objectively based on improvements in urination volume over urination time.
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46. A kit for quantitative self evaluation of efficacy of a treatment for urinary hesitancy comprising:
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a graduated container for measuring urination volume; and
a timing device having a start button and a stop button and a display of elapsed time, and a log for recording urination volume over urination time. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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- 50. A method for shifting a sympathetic-parasympathetic balance to treat of heart failure, comprising applying sufficient heat provided by a wearable appliance or garment that includes an on-off controller to intermittently deliver sufficient heat to result in peripheral resistance.
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52. A method for shifting a sympathetic-parasympathetic balance to dilate a sphincter to facilitate passage or placement of a medical device comprising;
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applying heat sufficient to induce dilation of the sphincter; and
inserting the device through the dilated sphincter or placing the medical device in the sphincter. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55)
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Specification