Methods for selectively stimulating components in, on, or near the pudendal nerve or its branches to achieve selective physiologic responses
First Claim
1. A method comprisingidentifying at least one desired physiologic function selected from the group consisting essentially of controlling a urinary tract function, controlling a bowel function, and controlling a sexual function,identifying at least two targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components that, when selectively stimulated in combination, affect the desired physiologic function,placing an electrode configuration in a region of tissue away from a sacral root that includes the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components, andtuning the electrode configuration to achieve a combined selective electrical stimulation of the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components in the region to achieve the desired physiologic function.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods selectively stimulate components of the pudendal nerve away from the sacral root to evoke desired physiologic responses in persons who lack the ability to otherwise produce these responses—e.g., maintain continence and/or produce micturition, and/or provide male/female sexuality responses, and/or provide bowel responses. The systems and methods use a multiple electrode array, or individual electrodes, placed on, in, or near the pudendal nerve. The electrode array, or individual electrodes, in association with a pulse generator, provide selective stimulation of individual fascicles within the pudendal nerve, to achieve different physiologic responses.
71 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method comprising
identifying at least one desired physiologic function selected from the group consisting essentially of controlling a urinary tract function, controlling a bowel function, and controlling a sexual function, identifying at least two targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components that, when selectively stimulated in combination, affect the desired physiologic function, placing an electrode configuration in a region of tissue away from a sacral root that includes the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components, and tuning the electrode configuration to achieve a combined selective electrical stimulation of the targeted afferent and/or efferent pudendal nerve components in the region to achieve the desired physiologic function.
Specification