US4881526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intravaginal electrode and stimulation system for controlling female urinary incontinence
Assignee: DJO LLC
•
Filing: 1988-05-27
•
Granted: 1989-11-21
•
Expires: 2008-05-27
Abstract
Abstract An intravaginal electrode and controller for preventing female urinary incontinence. The electrode includes an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a rounded tip, an extended lip, and a neck of reduced diameter located approximately eight centimeters from the lip. A pair of annular motor electrodes are positioned on an exterior surface of the carrier at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the neck. Sensory electrodes and an oscillatory transducer are mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip. Motor receptor electrical stimulation signals received from the controller are coupled to the motor electrodes and directly stimulate pelvic floor musculature. Sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals are coupled to sensory receptors through the sensory electrodes while tactile receptors are stimulated by mechanical oscillations from the oscillatory transducer. Stimulation of sensory and tactile receptors cause the central nervous system to contract the pelvic floor musculature and inhibit bladder wall muscle contraction. These stimulus combine for maximal activation of neural pathways.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael T. V. Johnson
- 👤 Donald D. Maurer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0521; A61N1/0524; A61H; A61H19/00; A61H19/40; A61H19/44; A61H21/00; A61H23/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36007; A61H23/02; A61H23/0254; A61H23/0263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end and an extended lip at a proximal end; a pair of motor electrodes positioned adjacent one another on an exterior surface of the elongated carrier between the tip and lip approximately eight centimeters from the lip; sensory stimulation means for stimulating sensory receptors mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and sensory stimulation terminal means coupled to the sensory stimulation means, for receiving sensory receptor stimulation signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end and an extended lip at a proximal end; a pair of motor electrodes positioned adjacent one another on an exterior surface of the elongated carrier between the tip and lip approximately eight centimeters from the lip; sensory stimulation means for stimulating sensory receptors mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and sensory stimulation terminal means coupled to the sensory stimulation means, for receiving sensory receptor stimulation signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the carrier includes means forming a neck of reduced diameter located between the tip and lip and approximately eight centimeters from the lip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrode assembly of claim 2 wherein the motor electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of the means forming the neck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the motor electrodes are annular, extend around a circumference of the carrier, and are positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on the carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein: the sensory stimulation means includes first and second sensory electrodes positioned on an exterior surface of the carrier with the first sensory electrode located adjacent the lip; and the sensory stimulation terminal means is coupled to the sensory electrodes and receives sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrode assembly of claim 5 wherein the sensory electrodes are annular, extend around a circumference of the carrier, and are positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on the carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode assembly of claim 6 wherein the first sensory electrode has a greater surface area than the motor electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode assembly of claim 5 wherein the second sensory electrode is positioned adjacent the distal end of the carrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein: the sensory stimulation means includes an oscillatory transducer; and the sensory stimulation terminal means is coupled to the oscillatory transducer and receives oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrode assembly of claim 9 wherein the oscillatory transducer is mounted within the carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein: the sensory stimulation means includes: first and second sensory electrodes positioned on an exterior surface of the carrier with the first sensory electrode located adjacent the lip; and an oscillatory transducer; and the sensory stimulation terminal means includes: sensory electrode terminal means coupled to the sensory electrodes for receiving sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals; and oscillatory transducer terminal means coupled to the oscillatory transducer for receiving oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention of claim. 11 and further including a controller comprising: motor stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the motor electrode terminal means for producing the motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; sensory stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the sensory stimulation terminal means for producing the sensory receptor stimulation signals; and oscillatory stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the oscillatory transducer terminal means for producing the oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention of claim 1 and further including a controller comprising: motor stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the motor electrode terminal means for producing the motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and sensory stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the sensory stimulation terminal means for producing the sensory receptor stimulation signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein the controller further includes motor/sensory phase control means coupled to the motor stimulation signal generation and control means and to the sensory stimulation signal generation and control means, for controlling a phase relationship between the motor receptor stimulation signals and the sensory receptor stimulation signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end, an extended lip at a proximal end, and means forming a neck of reduced diameter located approximately eight centimeters from the lip; a pair of annular motor electrodes extending around a circumference of the carrier and positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the means forming the neck; first and second annular sensory electrodes extending around a circumference of the carrier with the first sensory electrode located adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and sensory electrode terminal means coupled to the sensory electrodes, for receiving sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end, an extended lip at a proximal end, and means forming a neck of reduced diameter located approximately eight centimeters from the lip; a pair of annular motor electrodes extending around a circumference of the carrier and positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the means forming the neck; first and second annular sensory electrodes extending around a circumference of the carrier with the first sensory electrode located adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and sensory electrode terminal means coupled to the sensory electrodes, for receiving sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode assembly of claim 15 wherein the first sensory electrode has a greater surface area than the motor electrodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode assembly of claim 15 wherein the second sensory electrode is positioned adjacent the distal end of the carrier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 15 and further including a controller comprising: motor stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the motor electrode terminal means for producing the motor receptor stimulation signals; and sensory stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the sensory stimulation terminal means for producing the sensory receptor stimulation signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein the controller further includes motor/sensory phase control means coupled to the motor stimulation signal generation and control means and to the sensory stimulation signal generation and control means, for controlling a phase relationship between the motor receptor stimulation signals and the sensory receptor stimulation signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
113 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end, an extended lip at a proximal end, and means forming a neck of reduced diameter approximately eight centimeters from the lip; a pair of annular motor electrodes which extend around a circumference of the carrier and are positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the means forming the neck; an oscillatory transducer mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and oscillatory transducer terminal means coupled to the oscillatory transducer for receiving oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
113 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end, an extended lip at a proximal end, and means forming a neck of reduced diameter approximately eight centimeters from the lip; a pair of annular motor electrodes which extend around a circumference of the carrier and are positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the means forming the neck; an oscillatory transducer mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and oscillatory transducer terminal means coupled to the oscillatory transducer for receiving oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrode assembly of claim 20 wherein the oscillatory transducer is mounted within the carrier.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention of claim 20 and further including a controller comprising: motor stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the motor electrode terminal means for producing the motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; and oscillatory drive signal generation and control means coupled to the oscillatory transducer terminal means for producing the oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein the controller further includes motor/sensory phase control means coupled to the motor stimulation signal generation and control means and to the oscillatory drive signal generation and control means, for controlling a phase relationship between the motor receptor stimulation signals and the transducer drive signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
151 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end, an extended lip at a proximal end, and means forming a neck of reduced diameter approximately eight centimeters from the lip; a pair of annular motor electrodes which extend around a circumference of the carrier and are positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the means forming the neck; first and second annular sensory electrodes extending around a circumference of the carrier with the first sensory electrode located adjacent the lip; an oscillatory transducer mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; sensory electrode terminal means coupled to the sensory electrodes, for receiving sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals; and oscillatory transducer terminal means coupled to the oscillatory transducer for receiving oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
151 words
An intravaginal electrode assembly including: an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a tip at a distal end, an extended lip at a proximal end, and means forming a neck of reduced diameter approximately eight centimeters from the lip; a pair of annular motor electrodes which extend around a circumference of the carrier and are positioned at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the means forming the neck; first and second annular sensory electrodes extending around a circumference of the carrier with the first sensory electrode located adjacent the lip; an oscillatory transducer mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip; motor electrode terminal means coupled to the pair of motor electrodes, for receiving motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; sensory electrode terminal means coupled to the sensory electrodes, for receiving sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals; and oscillatory transducer terminal means coupled to the oscillatory transducer for receiving oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrode assembly of claim 24 wherein the oscillatory transducer is mounted within the carrier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrode assembly of claim 24 wherein the first sensory electrode has greater surface area than the motor electrodes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode assembly of claim 24 wherein the second sensory electrode is positioned adjacent the distal end of the carrier.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention of claim 24 and further including a controller comprising: motor stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the motor electrode terminal means for producing the motor receptor electrical stimulation signals; sensory stimulation signal generation and control means coupled to the sensory stimulation terminal means for producing the sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals; and oscillatory drive signal generation and control means coupled to the oscillatory transducer terminal means for producing the oscillatory transducer drive signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 28 and further including phase control means coupled to the motor stimulation signal generation and control means, to the sensory stimulation signal generation and control means, and to the oscillatory drive signal generation and control means, for controlling a phase relationship between the motor receptor stimulation signals, the sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals, and the oscillatory transducer drive signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1032840A
Cited
US3080865A
Cited
US3403684A
Cited
GB1145749A
Cited
US3528423A
Cited
US3554184A
Cited
US3749100A
Cited
US3800800A
Cited
US3646616A
Cited
US3705575A
Cited
US3661155A
Cited
US3933147A
Cited
US3744063A
Cited
US3870051A
Cited
US3866613A
Cited
DE2502620A1
Cited
FR2261737A1
Cited
US3973571A
Cited
US3926178A
Cited
US4019498A
Cited
US4106511A
Cited
US4139006A
Cited
US4153059A
Cited
DE2822616A1
Cited
US4296760A
Cited
US4349031A
Cited
US4290420A
Cited
US4431001A
Cited
US4387719A
Cited
US4457299A
Cited
US4406288A
Cited
US4688575A
Cited
EP0101595A1
Cited
US4568339A
Cited
US4542753A
Cited
US4515167A
Cited
US4580578A
Cited
FR2547203A1
Cited
EP0178514A1
Cited
US4785828A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |