Bladder Neuromodulation Tools With Electrophysiological Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI) have limited success and fail to meet the needs of a significant patient population, with existing therapies being unsatisfactory for many individuals, and there is a need for improved systems and methods to assess, treat, and monitor bladder function.
Innovation Solution
Development of surgical tools and implantable devices for neuromodulation and ablation, equipped with sensing tips to interface with bladder tissue, capable of monitoring electrophysiological signals, delivering therapy, and mapping neurological activity to optimize treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional OAB treatments (anticholinergic agents, β3 agonists, botulinum toxin, sacral neuromodulation) are used, then some symptom relief is achieved, but patient satisfaction remains low and treatment success is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electrophysiological sensing tips that provide real-time feedback on bladder nerve activity and tissue characteristics. This feedback enables the system to monitor treatment effects and adjust therapy parameters dynamically, ensuring reliable symptom relief while adapting to individual patient responses, thereby improving both treatment success rate and patient satisfaction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple therapy parameters including stimulation frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and ablation energy levels based on real-time electrophysiological feedback. This multi-parameter adjustment capability allows optimization of treatment efficacy for each patient, resolving the contradiction between reliable treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction
2Measurement precision
If electrophysiological sensing and therapy delivery are integrated into a single surgical tool, then precise targeted treatment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrophysiological sensing elements and therapy delivery elements (RF ablation, neuromodulation) into a single integrated surgical tool. This combination allows simultaneous diagnosis and treatment at the same tissue location, achieving precise targeted therapy while the modular design keeps device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical tool is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a diagnostic sensor and therapeutic delivery device. The same tool can perform electrophysiological mapping, RF ablation, and neuromodulation, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
3Object-generated harmful factors
If RF ablation is used to destroy overactive bladder tissue, then neuromuscular activity is reduced, but non-targeted tissue damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electrophysiological sensing tips to provide real-time feedback on tissue characteristics and nerve activity during RF ablation. This feedback allows precise control of ablation energy delivery, stopping treatment when target effects are achieved and preventing damage to non-targeted surrounding tissues, thus reducing both overactive contractions and collateral damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary electrophysiological mapping and identification of target tissue before applying RF ablation. This preliminary action ensures accurate localization of overactive bladder tissue, enabling selective destruction of only the problematic areas while preserving healthy surrounding tissue
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These tools and devices enable precise neuromodulation and ablation, improving treatment efficacy by monitoring and modulating bladder function, addressing the limitations of existing therapies and providing targeted therapy based on electrophysiological mapping.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sensing tips electrically and mechanically coupled with the delivery member, configured to interface with one or more tissue surfaces of the bladder wall and/or the urethra, the sensing tips configured to convey one or more electrophysiological signals associated with the tissue surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a therapy delivery element coupled with the delivery member, configured to interface with a tissue in a target region of a bladder wall to provide therapy to the target region
Implementation Method 3
allowing for precise ablation and neuromodulation of bladder tissues
Data Source
AI summary
A system for modulating bladder function is disclosed. A system for evaluating the electrophysiological function of a bladder is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure on a bladder are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. An implantable device for monitoring and/or performing a neuromodulation procedure on a bladder is disclosed.