US5370671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Incontinence electrode apparatus
Assignee: DJO LLC
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Filing: 1993-01-28
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Granted: 1994-12-06
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Expires: 2013-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An incontinence electrode for controlling urinary incontinence in women is made of alternating regions of conductive and non-conductive polymers molded to form a flexible tubular body. Electrical leads couple the conductive regions to an electrical stimulation controller. The controller provides electrical current to the conductive regions at two different frequencies to cause a contraction of the vaginal muscles responsible for controlling urinary incontinence in women. The conductive regions have a volume resistivity which closely approximates the impedance of vaginal tissue, thereby substantially eliminating current density burns to the vaginal tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D. Maurer
- 👤 Mary M. Lien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0521; A61N1/0524; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00505; A61B2018/00523
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An electrical stimulation system for controlling urinary incontinence comprising: an elongated tubular body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the tubular body further having first, second and third conductive regions, each conductive region having a volume resistivity in the range of approximately 1 to 2500 ohm-centimeters and separated by at least one non-conductive region, the first, second and third conductive regions configured to provide a first current path and a second current path, wherein the first and second current paths share one of the conductive regions; and electrical stimulation means communicating with the first, second and third conductive regions, for delivering a first signal at a first frequent to the first current path, and for delivering a second signal at a second frequency, different from the first frequency, to the second current path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An electrical stimulation system for controlling urinary incontinence comprising: an elongated tubular body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the tubular body further having first, second and third conductive regions, each conductive region having a volume resistivity in the range of approximately 1 to 2500 ohm-centimeters and separated by at least one non-conductive region, the first, second and third conductive regions configured to provide a first current path and a second current path, wherein the first and second current paths share one of the conductive regions; and electrical stimulation means communicating with the first, second and third conductive regions, for delivering a first signal at a first frequent to the first current path, and for delivering a second signal at a second frequency, different from the first frequency, to the second current path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 1 wherein the first frequency is between about 5 Hz to about 20 Hz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 2 wherein the second frequency is about 30 Hz to about 100 Hz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 1 wherein the tubular body has a length of about 1.75 to about 2.50 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 1 wherein the elongated tubular body has a durometer of between about 40 to about 90 shore A.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 5 wherein the elongated tubular body has a durometer of between about 40 to about 60 shore A.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 1 wherein the elongated tubular body has a weight of about 20 to about 30 grams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 1 and further comprising first, second, and third receptacles positioned on the interior surface of the elongated tubular body such that the first, second, and third receptacles are in contact with the first, second, and third conductive regions, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical stimulation system of claim 8 wherein the second receptacle is radially offset by approximately 50 degrees from the first receptacle, and the third receptacle is radially offset by approximately 50 degrees from the second receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A dual channel stimulating system for controlling urinary incontinence comprising: an elongated tubular body, having first, second and third conductive regions longitudinally spaced along the tubular body, each conductive region having a volume resistivity in the range of approximately 1 to 2500 ohm-centimeters and separated from an adjacent conductive region by at least one non-conductive region; and electrical stimulation means communicating with the first, second and third conductive regions for delivering a first signal at a first frequency to the first and third conductive regions, and for delivering a second signal at a second frequent, different from the first frequency, to the first and second conductive regions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A dual channel stimulating system for controlling urinary incontinence comprising: an elongated tubular body, having first, second and third conductive regions longitudinally spaced along the tubular body, each conductive region having a volume resistivity in the range of approximately 1 to 2500 ohm-centimeters and separated from an adjacent conductive region by at least one non-conductive region; and electrical stimulation means communicating with the first, second and third conductive regions for delivering a first signal at a first frequency to the first and third conductive regions, and for delivering a second signal at a second frequent, different from the first frequency, to the first and second conductive regions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stimulating system of claim 10 wherein the first frequency is between about 5 Hz to about 20 Hz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stimulating system of claim 10 wherein the second frequency is between about 30 Hz to about 100 Hz.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stimulating system of claim 10 wherein the tubular body has a length of about 1.75 to about 2.50 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stimulating system of claim 10 wherein the elongated tubular body has a durometer of about 40 to about 90 shore A.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stimulating system of claim 10 wherein the elongated tubular body has a durometer of about 40 to about 60 shore A.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stimulating system of claim 10 wherein the elongated tubular body has a weight of about 20 to about 30 grams.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrical stimulating system of claim 10 and further comprising first, second, and third receptacles positioned on the interior surface of the elongated tubular body such that the first, second, and third receptacles are contact with the first, second, and third conductive regions, respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical stimulating system of claim 17 wherein the second receptacle is radially offset by approximately 50 degrees from the first receptacle, and the third receptacle is radially offset by approximately 50 degrees from the second receptacle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-05 | 1998-06-06 | 1998-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-05 | 2002-06-06 | 2002-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-05 | 2006-06-06 | 2006-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |