Integrated Surgical Tools for Prostate Neural Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The prevalence of pathologic diseases affecting the genitourinary tract, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), chronic prostatitis (CP), hypogonadism, prostate cancer (PrCa), and erectile dysfunction (ED), increases with age, and existing pharmacologic interventions have limitations due to neuronal influences on urologic disease progression.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods for monitoring and modulating electrophysiological activity within the prostate and testis using surgical tools with sensing and energy delivery elements, allowing for neuromodulation and targeted treatment of neural structures to regulate growth and function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmacologic interventions are used to treat genitourinary diseases, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but limitations arise due to neuronal influences on disease progression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces neuromodulation as an intermediary mechanism between the nervous system and genitourinary organs. By delivering electrical or magnetic stimuli to nerves (e.g., pelvic splanchnic nerves, hypogastric nerves) that innervate the prostate and other genitourinary organs, the system mediates therapeutic effects that pharmacologic agents cannot achieve alone, directly addressing the limitation of drug resistance to neuronal influences
2Measurement precision
If surgical tools with sensing and energy delivery elements are used for neuromodulation, then precise regulation of neurological traffic is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements (sensing electrodes, energy delivery electrodes, imaging components) into a single integrated surgical tool or catheter assembly. This merging allows simultaneous monitoring of neurological activity and delivery of neuromodulation therapy through one device, achieving precise neurological regulation while reducing the number of separate procedures and devices needed
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical tools incorporate sensing elements that provide real-time feedback on neurological traffic and organ response to neuromodulation. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust stimulation parameters dynamically, ensuring precise regulation of neurological activity while monitoring therapeutic effectiveness and minimizing side effects
3Reliability
If targeted neuromodulation is applied to regulate organ growth and function, then therapeutic outcomes are enhanced, but collateral damage to surrounding tissues may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs targeted neuromodulation techniques that deliver electrical or magnetic stimuli specifically to identified nerve structures (e.g., pelvic splanchnic nerves, cavernous nerves) and their terminal fields in the prostate or other genitourinary organs. By focusing the neuromodulatory effect precisely at the nerve target and its specific innervation zone, the system enhances therapeutic outcomes while minimizing spread of energy to surrounding non-target tissues, thus reducing collateral damage
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlled neuromodulation procedures is disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Systems and methods for imaging, monitoring, stimulating, and/or ablating neurological structures coupled to one or more organs of the lower urinary tract (LUT) are disclosed. Such processes may be used to alter the hormonal secretions from one or more organs, to modulate the growth of an organ, alter the growth rate or rate of perineural invasion of a tumor, or the like. In particular such processes may be used to slow, halt and/or reverse the growth of a prostate gland or a prostate tumor.