Multi-Electrode Device for Identifying Bladder Treatment Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for conditions like overactive bladder and other localized malfunctions in the body fail to specifically address local anatomical abnormalities, often requiring systemic approaches that can lead to overtreatment and side effects such as urinary retention.
Innovation Solution
A device with a plurality of electrodes that measures electrical activity and applies pacing stimuli to identify treatment sites, allowing for targeted therapies like radio frequency energy, ultrasound, or Botox injections to specific areas based on electrical activity patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current systemic treatments (drugs, nerve stimulation, Botox injections) are applied to treat the entire bladder, then the treatment covers all potential abnormal areas, but it leads to overtreatment of healthy areas and causes side effects such as urinary retention
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the bladder treatment into multiple discrete electrode sites that can be independently activated. The system segments the treatment approach by identifying specific abnormal detrusor muscle areas through electrical activity measurement and applying therapy only to those segmented locations rather than treating the entire bladder, thereby avoiding overtreatment of healthy areas while maintaining treatment efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements local quality by measuring electrical activity at multiple discrete electrode sites around the bladder and applying treatment selectively to sites showing abnormal activity patterns. This allows the treatment to have different properties at different locations - targeted therapy at abnormal sites versus no therapy at normal sites - thereby resolving the contradiction between comprehensive coverage and avoiding side effects.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If Botox injections are repeated to maintain treatment effect, then the treatment effect is sustained over time, but it increases the risk of urinary retention and requires self-catheterization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs feedback by continuously or periodically measuring electrical activity at electrode sites and using this information to guide treatment decisions. The system monitors the detrusor muscle electrical activity and adjusts therapy delivery based on real-time or near-real-time measurements, allowing sustained treatment effect while avoiding excessive treatment that would cause urinary retention. The feedback loop enables the system to stop treatment when abnormal activity resolves, preventing the need for repeated invasive injections.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are used to measure electrical activity and identify specific treatment sites, then the treatment can be precisely targeted to abnormal areas, but the device complexity increases compared to systemic treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies universality by designing electrodes that serve multiple functions: they act as both sensing elements for measuring electrical activity and as therapy delivery elements for applying treatment. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity compared to systems that would require separate sensing and treatment components, while still achieving precise treatment site identification through electrical activity measurement.
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
Enables precise identification and treatment of localized abnormalities, reducing the risk of overtreatment and improving treatment efficacy by applying therapies directly to areas of highest electrical activity, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an amount of electrical activity at a plurality of locations on or adjacent an interior wall of a patient
Implementation Method 2
generating a pacing stimulus through a first pair of the plurality of electrodes and measuring a resulting electrical activity
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices for identifying a treatment site are disclosed. The methods may include engaging a plurality electrodes with plurality of locations on or adjacent an interior wall of a patient. The methods may also include generating a pacing stimulus through a first pair of the plurality of electrodes and measuring a resulting electrical activity. The methods may also include identifying at least one site for treatment based on the resulting electrical activity. The devices may include elements configured to perform these methods. The device comprises a plurality of electrodes; a memory device configured to store an instruction for evaluating electrical activity; and a processor configured to: access the instruction from the memory; direct, with the instruction, an electrical energy source to generate a pacing stimulus through a first pair of the plurality of electrodes; measure, with the instruction, a resulting electrical activity at one or more of the plurality of electrodes; and identify, with the instruction, at least one treatment site based the resulting electrical activity. The processor is further configured to initiate, with the instruction, a therapy to the least one treatment site, such as a radio frequency energy, an ultrasound energy, a laser energy, a cryoablation, a microwave ablation, a Botox injection, a neurolytic agent, an optical energy, an irreversible electroporation, and a hydrogel injection.