Wireless and rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity

Abstract

The utility model provides a wireless and rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity, and relates to the field of medical instruments. The utility model provides a wireless and rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity. The wireless and rechargeable bladder pacemaker comprises a rechargeable current stimulator, a plurality of groups of stimulation mechanisms and a plurality of piezoelectric films, wherein each group of stimulation mechanism comprises two bladder stimulation units; the bladder stimulation unit and the piezoelectric film are respectively connected with the current stimulator through leads; the two bladder stimulation units and the current stimulator in each group of stimulation mechanism are arranged on the surface of the bladder, and the piezoelectric film is arranged in the wall of the bladder. According to the utility model, the volume of liquid in the bladder of a patient can be obtained in real time, the bladder detrusor muscle can be stimulated and induced to contract to complete urination, and most importantly, the stimulation and induction mode of the bladder detrusor muscle does not need the participation of human body movement efferent nerves; the piezoelectric film can convert contraction tension or expansion tension of the bladder wall into electric energy to supply power to the current stimulator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical devices, and in particular to a wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity. Background Technology

[0002] Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an effective treatment for neurogenic bladder. Implanted electrodes deliver low-frequency electrical pulses to continuously stimulate the sacral nerve, artificially activating or inhibiting neural circuits. This modulates the function of the bladder detrusor muscle, urethral sphincter, and voiding center, improving urination symptoms. For example, patent CN107743408B discloses the use of high-frequency pacing to control bladder function. However, some patients, due to decreased bladder detrusor muscle contractility or damage to the sacral nerve-bladder neural circuit, still face bladder atony and increased residual urine after SNM surgery, severely impacting their quality of life and health. Furthermore, the battery life of the SNM implanted electrodes is approximately 5-7 years, after which surgical replacement is required, increasing the burden and trauma on patients.

[0003] In summary, there is a need for a non-neural stimulation, self-rechargeable bladder pacemaker. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity, capable of non-neural stimulation of the bladder and self-charging.

[0005] The present invention provides a wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity, comprising a rechargeable current stimulator, multiple stimulation mechanisms, and multiple piezoelectric films. Each stimulation mechanism includes two bladder stimulation units. The bladder stimulation units and the piezoelectric films are respectively connected to the current stimulator via wires. The two bladder stimulation units and the current stimulator in each stimulation mechanism are implanted on the bladder surface, and the piezoelectric films are implanted in the bladder wall.

[0006] In one feasible embodiment, the stimulation mechanism further includes a urethral stimulation unit implanted on the surface of the urethra, the urethral stimulation unit being connected to an electrical stimulator via a wire.

[0007] In one feasible embodiment, the bladder stimulation unit is located on the bladder surface 1-5 cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the junction of the bladder acrosome and the bladder body.

[0008] In one feasible embodiment, the bladder stimulation unit is located on the bladder surface 3 cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the junction of the bladder acrosome and the bladder body. Two bladder stimulation units in the same group are located on the left and right sides of the bladder, respectively.

[0009] In one feasible implementation, the current stimulator is located on the bladder surface at the midline of the bladder top.

[0010] In one feasible embodiment, the urethral stimulation unit is located on the urethral surface 0.5 to 1.5 cm distal to the bladder neck along the dorsal midline of the urethra.

[0011] In one feasible embodiment, the urethral stimulation unit is located on the urethral surface 1 cm distal to the bladder neck along the dorsal midline of the urethra.

[0012] In one feasible embodiment, the voltage of the current stimulator is 15~25V, the pulse frequency of the current stimulator is 20~40Hz, and the pulse duration of the current stimulator is 3~5 seconds.

[0013] In one feasible embodiment, the current stimulator further includes a signal processing module, which includes a signal receiving unit, a signal processing unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The signal receiving unit is used to receive analog signals from an external terminal and forward the signals to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is used to perform A / D conversion on the signals forwarded by the signal receiving unit and send the electrical signals to the bladder stimulation unit; or, it is used to perform A / D conversion on the signals forwarded by the bladder stimulation unit and send the analog signals to the signal transmitting unit. The signal transmitting unit is used to send the analog signals forwarded by the signal processing unit to the external terminal.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the electrical stimulator includes a rechargeable battery, and the piezoelectric film is connected to the rechargeable battery via a wire.

[0015] The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] This invention can obtain the bioelectrical impedance of the bladder in real time by releasing a first excitation current through the bladder stimulation unit, and then convert the bladder impedance to obtain the fluid volume in the patient's bladder. The bladder stimulation unit can also release a second excitation current to stimulate and induce the bladder detrusor muscle to contract and complete urination. Most importantly, this method of stimulating and inducing the bladder detrusor muscle does not require the participation of human motor efferent nerves. At the same time, the piezoelectric film can convert the contraction tension or expansion tension of the bladder wall into electrical energy to power the current stimulator.

[0017] This invention can stimulate and induce the external urethral sphincter to relax and complete urination by releasing a second excitation current through the urethral stimulation unit. Combined with the second excitation current released by the bladder stimulation unit, it can better enable patients to urinate.

[0018] This invention can remind patients to urinate in time via a mobile app and can be remotely controlled via the app, thereby avoiding the risk of urine reflux into the ureter-kidney or involuntary leakage due to damage to the bladder sensory afferent nerve pathway. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.

[0020] Figure Labels

[0021] Electrical Stimulator 1

[0022] Stimulus Agency 2

[0023] Bladder stimulation unit 21

[0024] Urethral stimulation unit 22

[0025] piezoelectric thin film 3 Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model. In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the terms "left side", "right side", "upper side", "lower side", "above", "below", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0029] This utility model provides a wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity. (See attached document.) Figure 1 The invention includes a rechargeable current stimulator 1, multiple stimulation mechanisms 2, and multiple piezoelectric films 3. Each stimulation mechanism 2 includes two bladder stimulation units 21. The bladder stimulation units 21 and the piezoelectric films 3 are connected to the current stimulator 1 via wires. Both bladder stimulation units 21 and the current stimulator 1 in each stimulation mechanism 2 are implanted on the bladder surface, and the piezoelectric films 3 are implanted in the bladder wall. In use, the current stimulator 1 causes any one of the bladder stimulation units 21 in the same stimulation mechanism 2 to emit a first excitation current. This first excitation current passes through the bladder wall and is received by the other bladder stimulation unit 21 in the same stimulation mechanism 2. The magnitude of the received first excitation current can be converted into bioelectrical impedance, thereby inferring the bladder's urine volume through a model. When the first excitation current (i.e., bioelectrical impedance) received by the bladder stimulation unit 21 decreases to a certain level, the two bladder stimulation units 21 in the same group simultaneously emit a second excitation current. This second excitation current stimulates bladder contraction, thereby expelling urine. Additional explanation: The model and paper on converting excitation current into bladder bioelectrical impedance were proposed by Professor Talibi in 1970, and Professor Talibi's bladder bioelectrical impedance model has been widely accepted. Subsequent studies have also confirmed that bladder bioelectrical impedance decreases as the bladder fills with urine. In a specific embodiment, one set of stimulation mechanisms 2 is specifically used to release a first excitation current, and another set of stimulation mechanisms 2 is specifically used to release a second excitation current. The voltage and frequency of the first excitation current are usually different from those of the second excitation current to ensure that the first excitation current does not stimulate the bladder when monitoring bladder bioelectrical impedance, thus preventing false bladder contraction. This invention can obtain the bladder bioelectrical impedance in real time by releasing the first excitation current through the bladder stimulation unit 21, thereby converting the bladder bioelectrical impedance to obtain the fluid volume in the patient's bladder. The bladder stimulation unit 21 can also release the second excitation current to stimulate and induce the bladder detrusor muscle to contract and complete urination. Most importantly, this method of stimulating and inducing the bladder detrusor muscle does not require the participation of human motor efferent nerves. At the same time, the piezoelectric film 3 can convert the contractile or expansion tension of the bladder wall into electrical energy to power the current stimulator 1.

[0030] In the wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity provided in this embodiment of the invention, see [reference] Figure 1The stimulation mechanism 2 further includes a urethral stimulation unit 22 implanted on the urethral surface, which is connected to the current stimulator 1 via a wire. When the patient needs to urinate, the bladder stimulation unit 21 and the urethral stimulation unit 22 simultaneously emit a second excitation current. At this time, the urethral sphincter (striated muscle) is in a relaxed state due to its fast contraction response and short duration, while the bladder detrusor muscle (smooth muscle) is in a contracted state due to its slow contraction response and long duration, thus allowing urine to be expelled from the bladder. In one specific embodiment, the voltage of the second excitation current is 15~25V, preferably 20V, the frequency is 20~40Hz, preferably 30Hz, and the duration is 3~5 seconds, preferably 4 seconds. In one specific embodiment, the bladder stimulation unit 21 is located on the bladder surface 1~5cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the bladder acrosome junction. In a preferred embodiment, the bladder stimulation unit 21 is located on the bladder surface 3cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the bladder acrosome junction, and the two bladder stimulation units 21 in the same group are located on the left and right sides of the bladder, respectively. In one feasible embodiment, two bladder stimulation units 21 for releasing the first excitation current are located on the bladder surface 4 cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the junction of the bladder acromion and body, and two bladder stimulation units 21 for releasing the second excitation current are located on the bladder surface 3 cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the junction of the bladder acromion and body. In a specific embodiment, the current stimulator 1 is located on the bladder surface at the midline of the bladder acromion. In a specific embodiment, the urethral stimulation unit 22 is located on the urethral surface 0.5-1.5 cm distal to the bladder neck at the midline of the dorsal urethra. In a preferred embodiment, the urethral stimulation unit 22 is located on the urethral surface 1 cm distal to the bladder neck at the midline of the dorsal urethra.

[0031] In the wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity provided in this embodiment of the invention, see [reference] Figure 1The current stimulator 1 further includes a signal processing module, which comprises a signal receiving unit, a signal processing unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The signal receiving unit receives analog signals from an external terminal and forwards them to the signal processing unit. These signals are typically analog signals, such as releasing a first excitation current or a second excitation current. The signal processing unit performs A / D conversion on the signals forwarded by the signal receiving unit and sends the electrical signals to the bladder stimulation unit 21; or, it performs A / D conversion on the signals forwarded by the bladder stimulation unit 21 and sends the analog signals to the signal transmitting unit. The signal transmitting unit sends the analog signals forwarded by the signal processing unit to the external terminal. In one specific embodiment, the external terminal is a mobile phone equipped with a bladder monitoring app. The app has multiple display windows and control buttons. The control buttons can cause the bladder stimulation unit 21 to release the first or second excitation current. The display windows can show the current urine volume in the bladder. The bladder monitoring app also has an alert function; when the detected urine volume exceeds a threshold of 400ml, the bladder monitoring app can issue an alarm to remind the patient to urinate. This invention can remind patients to urinate in time via a mobile app and can be remotely controlled via the app, thereby avoiding the risk of urine reflux into the ureter-kidney or involuntary leakage due to damage to the bladder sensory afferent nerve pathway.

[0032] In the wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity provided in this embodiment of the invention, see [reference] Figure 1 The current stimulator 1 includes a rechargeable battery, and the piezoelectric film 3 is connected to the rechargeable battery via a wire. When the bladder wall expands or contracts, it squeezes the piezoelectric film 3, which converts the pressure into electrical energy to charge the rechargeable battery, thus extending the service life of the current stimulator 1.

[0033] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity, characterized in that: It includes a rechargeable current stimulator, multiple stimulation mechanisms, and multiple piezoelectric films. Each stimulation mechanism includes two bladder stimulation units. The bladder stimulation units and the piezoelectric films are connected to the current stimulator via wires. In each stimulation mechanism, two bladder stimulation units and an electrical stimulator are implanted on the bladder surface, and the piezoelectric film is implanted in the bladder wall.

2. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stimulation mechanism also includes a urethral stimulation unit implanted on the surface of the urethra, which is connected to an electrical stimulator via wires.

3. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The bladder stimulation unit is located on the bladder surface 1-5 cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the junction of the bladder acrosome and the bladder body.

4. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bladder stimulation unit is located on the bladder surface 3 cm distal to the ureterovesical inlet at the junction of the bladder acrosome and the bladder body. The two bladder stimulation units in the same group are located on the left and right sides of the bladder, respectively.

5. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The current stimulator is located on the bladder surface at the midline of the bladder top.

6. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 2, characterized in that: The urethral stimulation unit is located on the urethral surface 0.5 to 1.5 cm distal to the bladder neck, along the dorsal midline of the urethra.

7. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 6, characterized in that: The urethral stimulation unit is located on the urethral surface 1 cm distal to the bladder neck, along the dorsal midline of the urethra.

8. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The voltage of the current stimulator is 15~25V, the pulse frequency of the current stimulator is 20~40Hz, and the pulse duration of the current stimulator is 3~5 seconds.

9. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The current stimulator also includes a signal processing module, which includes a signal receiving unit, a signal processing unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The signal receiving unit is used to receive analog signals from external terminals and forward the signals to the signal processing unit; The signal processing unit is used to perform A / D conversion on the signal forwarded by the signal receiving unit and send the electrical signal to the bladder stimulation unit; or, it is used to perform A / D conversion on the signal forwarded by the bladder stimulation unit and send the analog signal to the signal sending unit; the signal sending unit is used to send the analog signal forwarded by the signal processing unit to an external terminal.

10. The wireless, rechargeable bladder pacemaker for monitoring bladder capacity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The current stimulator includes a rechargeable battery, and the piezoelectric film is connected to the rechargeable battery via wires.

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