Implantable Electrical Stimulation Device with Selective Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical stimulation devices are limited in treating multiple pelvic conditions simultaneously, as they are configured to apply therapies to a single targeted site, requiring separate devices for urinary and fecal incontinence.
Innovation Solution
An implantable electrical stimulation device with a pulse generator, memory, electrode leads, and a controller that can selectively switch between different electrode leads to deliver electrical stimulation pulses to multiple pelvic sites, allowing treatment of multiple conditions using a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electrical stimulation devices are used to treat multiple pelvic conditions, then separate devices are required for each condition (urinary and fecal incontinence), but this increases device complexity and requires multiple implantable leads
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical stimulation device is designed with a single implantable lead containing multiple electrodes that can be configured to treat multiple pelvic conditions including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and urinary retention. The controller enables the same device to deliver different stimulation patterns to different target sites through the single lead, eliminating the need for separate devices for each condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The single implantable lead is segmented into multiple electrodes (first electrode, second electrode, third electrode) that can be independently activated. This segmentation allows the device to target different anatomical sites (urinary sphincter, anal sphincter, bladder) through the same lead, providing multi-condition treatment capability while maintaining a single device architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single device is used to treat multiple pelvic conditions, then device versatility is improved, but the control complexity increases to manage multiple stimulation channels
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically configures the stimulation channels based on the treatment mode selected. The system can switch between different operational states: treating urinary incontinence using the first and second electrodes, treating fecal incontinence using the second and third electrodes, or treating urinary retention using the first and third electrodes. This dynamic reconfiguration allows versatile multi-condition treatment without requiring permanently complex control circuitry for all possible configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable electrical stimulation device configured to treat multiple pelvic conditions of a patient includes a pulse generator, memory, first and second electrode leads comprising one or more electrodes, a switch and a controller. The switch has a first state, in which the first electrode lead is electrically coupled to the pulse generator, and a second state, in which the second electrode lead is electrically coupled to the pulse generator. The controller includes at least one processor that is configured to execute at least one stimulation program stored in the memory. The controller is also configured to selectively set the switch in the first or second state. Electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generator responsive to the execution of the stimulation program are delivered to the first or second electrode lead depending on the state of the switch.