Control of bladder function using high frequency pacing
Systems and methods for the treatment of bladder conditions using direct electrical pacing are provided. The systems and methods generally apply high-frequency pacing stimuli directly to the bladder wall, from one or more of the inner and outer bladder surfaces.
1. A method of treating a patient, comprising:
implanting an electrode on or within a bladder wall of the patient;
sensing, with the implanted electrode, an aberrant electrical activity; and
activating the implanted electrode to deliver a pacing signal on or within the bladder wall of the patient to inhibit the aberrant electrical activity.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is implanted on or within an interior surface of the bladder wall.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is implanted on or within an external surface of the bladder wall.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is disposed on or within the bladder trigone or bladder neck.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is disposed near a nerve ending.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the electrode delivers an intermittent high-frequency pacing signal to inhibit the aberrant electrical activity.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aberrant electrical activity results from a feeling of urgency by the patient.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is activated by the patient.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is activated wirelessly.
10. A method of reducing a symptom of overactive bladder in a patient, comprising:
implanting at least one electrode on or within a bladder wall of the patient;
sensing, with the at least one implanted electrode, an input; and
activating the at least one implanted electrode to provide a high-frequency pacing stimulation on or within the bladder wall to inhibit the input.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the input is selected from the group consisting of a spontaneous electrical activity measured by the at least one electrode and a pressure within the bladder above a predetermined threshold.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one electrode is positioned to deliver electrical stimulation to at least one of the bladder neck and the bladder trigone.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrodes activated independently of one another.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein activating the at least one electrode delivers an intermittent high-frequency pacing signal to inhibit the input.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the input results from a feeling of urgency by the patient.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one electrode is activated by the patient.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one electrode is activated wirelessly.