TREATMENT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE
The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence. Th diagnosis and treatment involves the use of a multiple sensor-enabled catheter capable of providing real-time data regarding the patient's physiology, such as urinary flow and muscular function of the bladder sphincter, as well as the position and movement of the catheter within the patient.
1 . A device comprising a catheter having at least one sensor capable of providing real-time data of one or more types selected from the group consisting of position, movement, pressure, and flow.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said catheter is a Foley catheter.
3 . A method for the diagnosis or treatment of UI comprising providing the device of claim 1 in a patient and determining the anatomical state of the patient capable of relieving the incontinence.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the anatomical state is the relative position of the bladder neck and urethra.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the anatomical state is the muscular function of the bladder sphincter.
6 . The method of claim 3 further comprising manipulating the patient to relieve the incontinence.