Methods and devices to diagnose and treat fecal incontinence in females and males are provided. A multiple sensor-enabled catheter for positioning in a patient's rectum allows for the visualization and manipulation or positioning of an anatomical reference point(s) in the patient's body. A multiple sensor-enabled catheter for rectal insertion in a patient allows for the visualization and implementation of efficient and effective exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

A perineometer device for providing accurate biofeedback, comprising a cap (1) coupled to a tubular member (11), at least one first finger (9a) and at least one plate (18) or at least one second finger (9b) and at least one force sensing resistor (17), at least one plate (18) or force sensing resistor (17) disposed internally and parallel to the at least one finger (9a, 9b), at least one battery (15) for applying an electrical potential difference to the at least one first finger (9a) and the at least one plate (18), a means for measuring capacitance therefrom or the at least one force sensing resistor (17) to measure force applied to the at least one second finger (9b) and a processor connected to the means of applying an electrical potential difference and measuring capacitance or connected to the at least one force sensing resistor (17).

Systems and methods for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include at least one electrically stimulating electrode coupled to a pulse generator. Individuals with GERD are treated by implanting a stimulation device within and/or proximate the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, gastric fundus, or other nearby gastrointestinal structures and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and/or fundus, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. Electrical stimulation provided by the disclosed systems results in an increase in the length of the high pressure zone of the LES and/or modulation of the receptive relaxation response of the fundus to decrease gastric pressure, creating a longer barrier to the reflux of gastric contents or increasing functional lower esophageal pressure respectively, thereby treating GERD.

In at least one embodiment of a device configured for insertion into a gastrointestinal tract of the present disclosure, the device comprises a core comprising a core material which is solid, semi-solid or compressible, one or more sensors embedded in an interior of the device and/or on a surface of the device, at least one of the one or more sensors configured to obtain a pressure measurement within the gastrointestinal tract and during defecation of the device, and a plurality of electrodes within or upon the device and configured to obtain impedance planimetric measurements within the gastrointestinal tract and during defecation of the device, the impedance planimetric measurements useful to determine cross-sectional areas.

A pressure-sensing device includes a device frame, a flexible membrane, a pressure sensor, and device electronics. The device frame includes a base surface that rests on a supporting structure and a frame attachment region located opposite to the base surface such that the frame attachment region is raised from the supporting structure when the base surface is resting on the supporting structure. The device frame also includes a seating surface. The flexible membrane is attached to the frame attachment region such that the device frame and the flexible membrane enclose a pressure chamber. The seating surface extends outward around the flexible membrane and the flexible membrane protrudes above the seating surface. The pressure sensor is configured to generate a pressure signal. The device electronics are configured to determine the pressure in the pressure chamber based on the pressure signal.

This document describes methods for assessing defecatory disorders of patients. For example, this document describes methods for assessing evacuation using seated manometry and methods for analyzing rectoanal pressures to diagnose pelvic floor dysfunction.

Methods and devices to diagnose and treat male urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction are provided. A multiple sensor-enabled catheter for rectal insertion in a male patient allows for the visualization and manipulation or positioning of the bladder. A multiple sensor-enabled catheter for rectal insertion in a male patient allows for the visualization and implementation of efficient and effective exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence. Th diagnosis and treatment involves the use of a multiple sensor-enabled catheter capable of providing real-time data regarding the patient's physiology, such as urinary flow and muscular function of the bladder sphincter, as well as the position and movement of the catheter within the patient.

A device (10) to be inserted in a woman's vagina to aid in measuring muscles operatively associated with the woman's vagina. The device (10) includes a motion detector (24) that is a gyroscope and that detects angular movement about at least one axis, and preferably detects angular movement about three mutually perpendicular axes. Preferably the motion detector (24) is a combination of a gyroscope and accelerometer.

Method for measuring the presence of a compound or a physiological parameter in the human or animal body, comprising positioning an intravaginal ring that comprises a sensor for the compound or parameter to be measured in contact with the vaginal mucosa and recording a signal produced by the sensor. It is further disclosed a method for the combined administration and measurement of compounds in the human or animal body, comprising the administration of one or more biologically active compounds and the simultaneous and/or subsequent measurement of the presence and/or concentration of the same and/or another compound and/or physiological parameter that is the result of the administration of the one or more biologically active compounds, wherein the measurement is performed with a sensor that is in contact with the vaginal mucosa.