Electrode implantation in male external urinary sphincter

1. A method of implanting an electrode of an electronic stimulator device into an external urinary sphincter of a male patient, the method comprising:

making a first incision in the perineum between the anus and the scrotal-perineal junction; and

feeding a distal end of a stimulation lead through the first incision, through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter, the distal end comprising the electrode.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein feeding a distal end of a stimulation lead through the first incision, through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter comprises:

installing a first tube having a first end proximate the first incision and a second end that extends through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter; and

feeding the distal end of the stimulation lead through the first tube, out the second end of the first tube and in contact with the external urinary sphincter.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein installing a first tube having a first end proximate the first incision and a second end that extends through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter comprises:

providing a first introducer comprising a needle guide within the first tube;

tunneling from the first incision through the perineum and into the external urinary sphincter using the needle guide; and

removing the needle guide from the first tube.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

making a second incision in the abdomen of the patient;

installing a second tube having a first end proximate the first incision and a second end proximate the second incision;

attaching a proximal end of the stimulation lead to the first end of the second tube; and

pulling the second tube and the proximal end of the stimulation lead out of the second incision.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

coupling the proximal end of the stimulation lead to a control unit of the electronic stimulator device;

generating electrical signals using the control unit; and

delivering the electrical signals to the external urinary sphincter through the stimulation lead and the electrode.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

forming a subcutaneous pocket at the second incision; and

implanting the control unit in the subcutaneous pocket.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the electrical signals are configured to treat a pelvic condition selected from the group consisting of pelvic pain and urinary incontinence.

8. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

making a third incision that is displaced from the second incision;

coupling a first end of an extension lead to the proximal end of the stimulation lead; and

feeding a second end of the extension lead through a subcutaneous tunnel between the second incision and the third incision and out the third incision.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein feeding a second end of the extension lead through a subcutaneous tunnel between the second incision and the third incision and out the third incision comprises:

installing a third tube in the subcutaneous tunnel having a first end proximate the third incision and a second end proximate the second incision;

attaching a second end of the extension lead to the second end of the third tube; and

pulling the third tube and the second end of the extension lead through the subcutaneous tunnel and out of the third incision.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

coupling the second end of the extension lead to a control unit of the electronic stimulator device;

generating electrical signals using the control unit; and

delivering the electrical signals to the external urinary sphincter through the extension lead, the stimulation lead and the electrode.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

disconnecting the second end of the extension lead from the control unit;

disconnecting the first end of the extension lead from the proximal end of the stimulation lead;

removing the extension lead from the subcutaneous tunnel;

coupling the proximal end of the stimulation lead to the control unit;

generating electrical signals using the control unit; and

delivering the electrical signals to the external urinary sphincter through the stimulation lead and the electrode.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

forming a subcutaneous pocket at the second incision; and

implanting the control unit in the subcutaneous pocket.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the electrical signals are configured to treat a pelvic condition selected from the group consisting of pelvic pain and urinary incontinence.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second incision is located lateral to and cephalad to the pubis bone of the patient.

15. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

anchoring the distal end of the stimulation lead to the external urinary sphincter; and

removing the first tube while the distal end of the stimulation lead remains anchored to the external urinary sphincter.

16. A method of implanting an electrode of an electronic stimulator device into an external urinary sphincter of a male patient, the method comprising:

making a first incision in the perineum between the anus and the scrotal-perineal junction;

feeding a distal end of a stimulation lead through the first incision, through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter, the distal end comprising the electrode;

making a second incision in the abdomen of the patient; and

feeding a proximal end of the stimulation lead from the first incision to the second incision.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein feeding a distal end of a stimulation lead through the first incision, through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter comprises:

installing a first tube having a first end proximate the first incision and a second end that extends through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter; and

feeding the distal end of the stimulation lead through the first tube, out the second end of the first tube and in contact with the external urinary sphincter.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein installing a first tube having a first end proximate the first incision and a second end that extends through the perineal membrane and into the external urinary sphincter comprises:

providing a first introducer comprising a needle guide within the first tube;

tunneling from the first incision through the perineum and into the external urinary sphincter using the needle guide; and

removing the needle guide from the first tube.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein feeding a proximal end of the stimulation lead from the first incision to the second incision comprises:

installing a second tube having a first end proximate the first incision and a second end proximate the second incision;

attaching a proximal end of the stimulation lead to the first end of the second tube; and

pulling the second tube and the proximal end of the stimulation lead out of the second incision.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

coupling a proximal end of the stimulation lead to a control unit of the electronic stimulator device;

generating electrical signals using the control unit; and

delivering the electrical signals to the external urinary sphincter through the stimulation lead and the electrode.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:

forming a subcutaneous pocket at the second incision; and

implanting the control unit in the subcutaneous pocket.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the electrical signals are configured to treat a pelvic condition selected from the group consisting of pelvic pain and urinary incontinence.

23. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

making a third incision that is displaced from the second incision;

coupling a first end of an extension lead to the proximal end of the stimulation lead; and

feeding a second end of the extension lead through a subcutaneous tunnel between the second incision and the third incision and out the third incision.

24. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

coupling the second end of the extension lead to a control unit of the electronic stimulator device;

generating electrical signals using the control unit; and

delivering the electrical signals to the external urinary sphincter through the extension lead, the stimulation lead and the electrode.

25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising:

disconnecting the second end of the extension lead from the control unit;

disconnecting the first end of the extension lead from the proximal end of the stimulation lead;

removing the extension lead from the subcutaneous tunnel;

coupling the proximal end of the stimulation lead to the control unit;

generating electrical signals using the control unit; and

delivering the electrical signals to the external urinary sphincter through the stimulation lead and the electrode.