System and Method of Bladder and Sphincter Control

Abstract

A method and system for bladder control are disclosed. In embodiments, a method for bladder control is provided that comprises coupling an electrode to an afferent nerve that is related to the bladder. Applying a plurality of pulse burst stimulations via the electrode causes voiding of urine from the bladder. In embodiments, the plurality of pulse burst stimulations to the afferent nerve reduces external urethral sphincter (EUS) contractions and evokes bladder contractions to expel urine from the subject. In embodiments, the plurality of pulse burst stimulations to the afferent nerve evokes bladder contractions alone to expel urine from the subject. In embodiments, a system for bladder control is provided that comprises an electrode for applying a pulse burst stimulus to an afferent nerve or dermatome to reduce reflex contractions and a signal generator for generating the pulse burst stimulus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 61 / 041,753 filed Apr. 2, 2008, entitled “METHODS FOR BLADDER CONTROL,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to electrical stimulation of the nervous system, and particularly relates to a system and method for urinary bladder and sphincter control utilizing electrical stimulation.BACKGROUND[0003]Retention of urine, leading to complications such as urinary tract infection and urinary calculi, remains a major factor leading to morbidity in individuals with neurologic disorders or injury such as spinal cord injury. In high cord injury, with upper motor neuron damage, the lower nerve pathways to the bladder are intact. The aim of micturition control in these individuals is to enable them to contract the bladder musculature without direct or reflex activation of structures in the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In another aspect of the disclosure, a system and method are provided for bladder control comprising coupling at least one electrode to at least one of an extradural nerve, pelvic nerves, a pudendal nerve, or a sacral foraminal nerve of a subject, and applying a series of intermittent pulse trains to the electrode to concurrently reduce or eliminate EUS contractions and evoke bladder contractions to expel urine from the subject.

Problems solved by technology

The methods can suffer from the problem of contraction of the bladder to expel urine concurrently with contraction of the external urethral sphincter blocking urine flow.

The rhizotomy technique also results in the loss of sensation and reflexes such as reflex erection in males.

Using continuous stimulation to activate sensory nerves to evoke reflex bladder contractions frequently results in smaller reflex bladder contractions and reduced efficiency of urine expulsion.

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