IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,337,173
Granted Patent B2
US 12,337,173 · App. 17/631,208 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Devices, systems, and methods for promoting voiding in subjects with underactive bladders

Inventors: Bradley Potts (Durham, NC); Matthew Fraser (Durham, NC)
Assignees: Duke University; The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
A61N1/36007A61N1/0514A61N1/0551A61N1/36153A61N1/36171A61N1/36178
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,337,173
App. No.
17/631,208
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

This present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for the treatment of conditions pertaining to bladder control. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods directed to the application of electrical stimulation to the proximal urethra and associated nervous tissue to elicit voiding contractions that normalize bladder function.

Claims (20)

1. A method of treating underactive bladder in a subject, the method comprising:

manipulating a controller to provide input associated with inducement of at least one physiological response to a pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate a plurality of pulses based on the input, and wherein a plurality of electrodes is functionally coupled to the pulse generator;

placing the plurality of electrodes orthogonally across and in contact with a dorsal extraluminal surface of the subject's proximal urethra whereby the plurality of electrodes is positioned to simultaneously stimulate the subject's pelvic, hypogastric, and pudendal nerves bilaterally, wherein the plurality of electrodes is configured to be spaced from 0.1 cm to 2.0 cm apart and comprises a flexible electrode support; and

activating the pulse generator to cause the plurality of pulses to be delivered from the plurality of electrodes;

wherein activation of the pulse generator simultaneously stimulates the subject's pelvic, hypogastric, and pudendal nerves and induces the at least one physiological response in the subject, wherein the at least one physiological response comprises at least one of bladder voidance contractions, voiding-associated rhabdosphincter relaxation, and urethral circumferential smooth muscle relaxation, whereby at least one symptom associated with underactive bladder in the subject is improved.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject has been diagnosed with Detrusor Underactivity (DU).

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one physiological response in the subject also comprises Barrington's Reflex 2, 4, and/or 7.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein manipulating the controller comprises selecting pre-determined input parameters associated with the at least one physiological response.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the pre-determined input parameters comprise one or more of pulse frequency, voltage, duration, amplitude and/or pattern.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method improves at least one symptom associated with underactive bladder in the subject.

7. A method of treating underactive bladder in a subject, the method comprising:

manipulating a controller to provide input associated with inducement of at least one physiological response to a pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate a plurality of pulses based on the input, and wherein a plurality of electrodes is functionally coupled to the pulse generator;

placing the plurality of electrodes orthogonally across and in contact with a dorsal extraluminal surface of the subject's proximal urethra whereby the plurality of electrodes is positioned to simultaneously stimulate the subject's pelvic, hypogastric, and pudendal nerves bilaterally; and

activating the pulse generator to cause the plurality of pulses to be delivered from the plurality of electrodes;

wherein activation of the pulse generator simultaneously stimulates the subject's pelvic, hypogastric, and pudendal nerves and induces the at least one physiological response in the subject, wherein the at least one physiological response comprises at least one of bladder voidance contractions, voiding-associated rhabdosphincter relaxation, and urethral circumferential smooth muscle relaxation, whereby at least one symptom associated with underactive bladder in the subject is improved.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the subject has been diagnosed with Detrusor Underactivity (DU).

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one physiological response in the subject also comprises Barrington's Reflex 2, 4, and/or 7.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein manipulating the controller comprises selecting pre-determined input parameters associated with the at least one physiological response.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the pre-determined input parameters comprise one or more of pulse frequency, voltage, duration, amplitude and/or pattern.

12. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the method improves at least one symptom associated with underactive bladder in the subject.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 058968 FRAME 0984. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: POTTS, BRADLEY; FRASER, MATTHEW
To: THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS; DUKE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 064405/0248 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: FRASER, MATTHEW; POTTS, BRADLEY
To: DUKE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 058968/0984 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62880239 · Jul 30, 2019
Related Publication 20220266010A1 · Aug 25, 2022
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