Methods for stimulating components in, on, or near the pudendal nerve or its branches to achieve selective physiologic responses

• US 7,047,078 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Original Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Inventors: Boggs, Joseph W. II, Grill, Warren M., Gustafson, Kenneth J., Wenzel, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy
• Application Number:
  US10/662,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36196 Frequency modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

Systems and methods control physiological functions of the urinary tract using at least one electrode sized and configured to be located on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve. The systems and methods apply an electrical signal to the electrode at a selected frequency to stimulate the targeted component. The selected frequency is a first frequency or range of frequencies for achieving a first physiologic response (e.g., controlling urinary continence) and a second frequency or range of frequencies, different than the first frequency, for achieving a second physiologic response different than the first physiologic response (e.g., controlling micturition).

Claims

1. A method for controlling a physiological function comprising

placing at least one electrode on, in, or near a targeted component of the pudendal nerve, and/or its branch(es), and/or its spinal root(s),

selecting an electrical signal having an amplitude,

applying the electrical signal at the selected amplitude to the electrode to selectively stimulate the targeted component, and

without substantially changing the selected amplitude, selecting between a first frequency or range of frequencies to achieve a first desired physiologic response and a second frequency or range of frequencies to achieve a second desired physiologic response different than the first physiologic response.

2. A method according to claim 1

wherein the targeted component comprises a urethral afferent of the pudendal nerve and/or afferent nerve fibers in the deep perineal nerve.

3. A method according to claim 1

wherein the physiological function comprises one of controlling urinary incontinence and controlling micturition.

4. A method for controlling a physiological function of the lower urinary tract comprising

placing at least one electrode on, in, or near afferent nerve fibers in the deep perineal nerve,

selecting an electrical signal having an amplitude,

applying the electrical signal at the selected amplitude to the electrode to selectively

stimulate the afferent nerve fibers in the deep perineal nerve and

without substantially changing the selected amplitude, selecting between a first frequency or range of frequencies to control urinary continence and a second frequency or range of frequencies different than the first frequency to control micturition.