182 results about "Fecal incontinence" patented technology

A device for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensor, which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode, which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode. In various configurations, the device may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.

A method and system for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to sacral nerves and/or its branches, to provide therapy for urinary/fecal incontinence and other urological disorders. The stimulation system comprising implanted and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation may be provided using a system which is one from a group comprising: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with an external magnet; d) a programmable implantable pulse generator; e) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable IPG; and f) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise telemetry means for interrogation or programming of the implanted device from a remote location, over a wide area network.

Systems and methods apply a selected treatment agent or agents into contact with tissue at or in the region of a dysfunctional sphincter (in the case of GERD, fecal incontinence, or other dysfunctional sphincter disorders) to affect improved sphincter barrier function and/or to disrupt abnormal nerve pathways. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one tissue bulking agent and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

Non-surgical methods for treating pelvic floor muscular dysfunctional disorders are provided. The method combines pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), biofeedback and pelvic floor exercises, pudental and hypogastric nerve neuromodulation (electrical stimulation), and tibial nerve neuromodulation (PTNS).

A method for treating anal incontinence is provided, in which a support member is implanted in a tissue pathway extending from a first location posterior to and adjacent the anus, through the perineum anterior to the anus and terminating at a location posterior to and adjacent the anus opposite the first location.

Therapeutic devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention alleviate e.g. urinary incontinence in female and male patients. Suction or vacuum, for example, is applied to the genital region, clitoris or clitoral region, the external urethral orifice, and/or other designated areas, e.g. physically stimulating the sacral/pudendal nerves and/or nerve roots and alleviating incontinence. Such embodiments also can encourage or cause clitoral engorgement, or otherwise promote blood flow in the genital region. Vacuum or suction applied to e.g. the clitoris creates a negative pressure in the clitoris that is lower than the systolic blood pressure, tending to promote engorgement of the clitoris with blood. Aspects of the invention are applicable not only to treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, but also to the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Aspects of the invention are also applicable to treatment of male incontinence and male erectile dysfunction.

A device (20) for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device (20) includes a sensor (44), which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode (27), which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit (22) is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode (27). In various configurations, the device (20) may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.

A method and device for training pelvic floor muscles in order to treat or prevent urinary or fecal incontinence. The device comprises a probe having a pressure sensor and a vibrator, and a microprocessor connected with the sensor and the vibrator. Initially, the probe is inserted into a person's vagina or rectum and the highest force that can be applied by the person contracting the pelvic muscles is ascertained and registered. The contraction of the pelvic floor muscles is repeated at intervals, and the force applied by pelvic floor muscles at each contraction is ascertained and compared with the registered highest value. The vibrator is activated at each contraction of the floor muscles only if the force has a predetermined relationship to the registered value, and only for a predetermined period as long as the predetermined relationship is maintained.

There is disclosed a method for treating anal incontinence in women. The method comprises accessing the rectum or colon or anus though an incision in the vagina and implanting a powered restriction device on the rectum, colon or anal sphincter. There are also disclosed methods for energizing and controlling the restriction device.

An apparatus, and corresponding method, for management of fecal incontinence comprising a catheter having at least two electrodes and an inflatable balloon, a non-conductive sleeve surrounding the electrodes, and an alarm box, wherein the catheter is insertable into a rectal vault and is inflatable to serve as a block to passage of stool and wherein moisture sensed by the electrodes triggers the alarm box and thereby notifies a user that fecal material has entered the rectal vault.

The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

A method for treating the adverse effects of acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors used in the treatment of cognitive disorders such as acute delirium and cognitive impairment in elderly human patients. The administration of a clinically effective amount of a quaternary ammonium anti-cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist having very low lipid solubility substantially eliminates the adverse effects of urinary and/or fecal incontinence, nausea, bradycardia, bronchorrhea or brochospasm caused by the acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors, without affecting the beneficial activity of the acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors. This permits the administration of the optimum effective dosing of acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors to provide maximum benefit to the patient with the added benefit of reducing or eliminating the unwanted side effects of fecal and urinary incontinence. Further, the combination of rivastigmine and glycopyrrolate has been effective in significantly improving cognitive function in patients suffering from acute dementia or cognitive impairment.

A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region.

The present disclosure, in certain embodiments, relates to a flexible and non-absorbent vaginal insert device that is easier to insert and remove and is for use in improving and preventing symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary and/or fecal incontinence when the device is inserted. In certain embodiments, the device has an optionally cone-shaped upper portion that provides pelvic organ support and a removal portion or stem that facilitates insertion and removal of the device.

The present invention discloses an implant for placement in the retropubic space of a patient. Novel methods and assemblies for use in conjunction with the implant are also described, which include mechanical positioning of the sling, placement of a mechanical implant underneath the urethra or mechanical vibration (intermittent) under the urethra or other incontinence lumen.

The present invention provides for a device and method for the treatment of female urinary incontinence (UI). The disclosed device has a unique and novel shape that supports the urethra and absorbs any leakage. The device is placed through the female labia into the lower part of the female vagina to provide the urethral support and decrease the occurrence of female incontinence.

Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue, devices and tools for transvaginally accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, devices (including certain types of implants, anchors, and tools) for connecting (e.g., adjustably) a vaginal apex to a region of sacral anatomy to provide support to the vaginal apex, and related methods.