Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of fecal incontinence comprises at least one electrode placed in contact with a pelvic muscle of a patient and a control unit that is coupled to the electrode. The at least one electrode comprises a flexible intra-muscular electrode that conducts electromyographic (EMG) signals from the muscle. The control unit comprises a processor that analyzes the EMG signals conducted through the at least one electrode, determines whether the EMG signals are indicative of fecal incontinence and, responsive to the signal being indicative of fecal incontinence, applies an electrical waveform to the muscle through the at least one electrode.

Abstract: In a method of treating urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation and/or pathological retention of urine, at least one electrode of a lead is implanted in contact with a pelvic muscle of the patient. A proximal end of the lead is connected to a hermetically sealed implantable stimulator device configured to apply an electrical waveform through the at least one electrode. The electrical waveform is delivered from the stimulator device to the pelvic muscle through the lead and the at least one electrode. The electrical waveform provides at least partial relief from at least one of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation and pathological urine retention.

Abstract: A self-retaining intraurethral catheter (IUC) made of a hollow tube and comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, a central tubular hollow portion therebetween, a proximal crown formed at said proximal portion, a first and a second distal crowns formed at said distal portion, said first crown being disposed closer to the central portion than said second crown and being spaced from said second crown by an inter-crown portion, at least said inter-crown portion being formed so as to allow shortening the device by the detachment of the second crown therefrom.

Abstract: A device (20) for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device (20) includes a sensor (44), which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode (27), which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit (22) is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode (27). In various configurations, the device (20) may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.

Abstract: In a method of treating urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation and/or pathological retention of urine, at least one electrode of a lead is implanted in contact with a pelvic muscle of the patient. A proximal end of the lead is connected to a hermetically sealed implantable stimulator device configured to apply an electrical waveform through the at least one electrode. The electrical waveform is delivered from the stimulator device to the pelvic muscle through the lead and the at least one electrode. The electrical waveform provides at least partial relief from at least one of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation and pathological urine retention.

Abstract: A device (20) for treatment of a patient's urinary incontinence, including a sensor, (44), which generates a signal responsive to a physiological characteristic indicative of a likelihood of incontinence. A control unit (22) receives the signal from the sensor. At least one electrode (29) is preferably implanted in the patient. The electrode is coupled to cause contraction of a pelvic muscle of the patient responsive to application of electrical energy to the electrode. Responsive to the signal, the control unit applies an electrical waveform to the electrode, so as to inhibit the incontinence.

Abstract: In a method, at least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient and a control unit is provided. An electrical waveform is applied to the pelvic muscle through the at least one electrode using the control unit. A condition of the patient is treated in response to the application of the electrical waveform. The condition of the patient is fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain or urine retention.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

Abstract: A device (20) for treatment of a patient's urinary incontinence, including a sensor, (44), which generates a signal responsive to a physiological characteristic indicative of a likelihood of incontinence. A control unit (22) receives the signal from the sensor. At least one electrode (29) is preferably implanted in the patient. The electrode is coupled to cause contraction of a pelvic muscle of the patient responsive to application of electrical energy to the electrode. Responsive to the signal, the control unit applies an electrical waveform to the electrode, so as to inhibit the incontinence.

Abstract: A device (20) for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device (20) includes a sensor (44), which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode (27), which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit (22) is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode (27). In various configurations, the device (20) may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

Abstract: A device for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensor, which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode, which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode. In various configurations, the device may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.

Abstract: A device for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensor, which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode, which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode. In various configurations, the device may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.

Abstract: A device (20) for treatment of a patient's urinary incontinence, including a sensor (44), which generates a signal responsive to a physiological characteristic indicative of a likelihood of incontinence. A control unit (22) receives the signal from the sensor. At least one electrode (29) is preferably implanted in the patient. The electrode is coupled to cause contraction of the pelvic muscle of the patient responsive to application of electrical energy to the electrode. Responsive to the signal, the control unit applies an electrical waveform to the electrode, so as to inhibit the incontinence.

Abstract: A device for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensor, which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode, which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode. In various configurations, the device may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

Abstract: A self-retaining intraurethral catheter (IUC) for indwelling implantation made of semi-rigid plastic material comprising a central tubular portion and integrally formed therewith proximal and distal crowns having larger diameters than the tubular portion, said crowns having apertures communicating with the bore of said tubular portion, wherein said proximal crown is adapted to be retained in the bladder neck and said distal crown adapted to engage the prostatic urethra and prevent proximal displacement of the IUC in the urethra; an applicator set and method for using same.