An imaging probe adapter for measuring the properties of a lumen like the vaginal canal, the rectum, or anal sphincter. The device has an adapter body with a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the adapter body may be formed into an insertion tip capable of easy insertion into the appropriate lumenal structure. An inflatable pressure chamber covers the distal end of the adapter body. A baseplate formed on the proximal end of the adapter body incorporates fluid channels for inflating the pressure chamber and a probe channel that receives an ultrasound probe or other suitable imaging probe. The device is used to measure and model lumenal biomechanical properties such as stiffness, compliance, elastic versus viscous contributions to overall stiffness, and total displacement.

An imaging probe adapter for measuring the properties of a lumen like the vaginal canal, the rectum, or anal sphincter. The device has an adapter body with a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the adapter body may be formed into an insertion tip capable of easy insertion into the appropriate lumenal structure. An inflatable pressure chamber covers the distal end of the adapter body. A baseplate formed on the proximal end of the adapter body incorporates fluid channels for inflating the pressure chamber and a probe channel that receives an ultrasound probe or other suitable imaging probe. The device is used to measure and model lumenal biomechanical properties such as stiffness, compliance, elastic versus viscous contributions to overall stiffness, and total displacement.

A urodynamic investigation apparatus for receipt of urine from a bladder is provided. The apparatus is characterized by a tubular element, first and second fittings, and a sleeve element, for select passage of urine there through, within the tubular element. The tubular element is characterized by opposing first and second end portions, and a port. The fittings are adapted to be received by the opposing end portions of the tubular element so as to delimit an apparatus chamber. The sleeve element, suspended between the fittings within the chamber, has collapsed and open configurations. The collapsed configuration is indicative of a no urine flow condition, and the open configuration indicative of a urine flow condition, with the sleeve element urine flow condition being a function of pressure applied to the chamber via the port of the tubular element.

In some examples, electrical stimulation is delivered to a patient such that selective termination of the stimulation causes a therapeutic effect in the patient after termination of the electrical stimulation to the patient. The electrical stimulation may be insufficient to produce a desired therapeutic effect in the patient during stimulation, but sufficient to induce a post-stimulation desired therapeutic effect following termination of the stimulation. In some examples, the electrical stimulation may be sub-threshold electrical stimulation. In some examples, the desired therapeutic effect may alleviate bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, or other disorders. The stimulation may be selectively terminated in response to one or more therapy trigger events to induce the post-stimulation therapeutic effect.

In some examples, electrical stimulation is delivered to a patient such that selective termination of the stimulation causes a therapeutic effect in the patient after termination of the electrical stimulation to the patient. The electrical stimulation may be insufficient to produce a desired therapeutic effect in the patient during stimulation, but sufficient to induce a post-stimulation desired therapeutic effect following termination of the stimulation. In some examples, the electrical stimulation may be sub-threshold electrical stimulation. In some examples, the desired therapeutic effect may alleviate bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, or other disorders. The stimulation may be selectively terminated in response to one or more therapy trigger events to induce the post-stimulation therapeutic effect.

Apparatus and methods for monitoring pregnancy or labour are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes an electromyography (EMG) sensor having two or more EMG electrodes to monitor fetal or maternal activity during pregnancy or labour and one or more position sensors to monitor the relative positioning of the two or more EMG electrodes during the fetal or maternal activity. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a monitoring device to be placed on a body and having a plurality of sensors integrated into the monitoring device, the plurality of sensors including at least: a first sensor configured to detect a first type of signal from the body indicative of a first type of fetal or maternal activity during pregnancy or labour; and a second sensor configured to detect a second type of signal from the body, different from the first type of signal, also indicative of the first type of fetal or maternal activity during pregnancy or labour.

Apparatus and methods for monitoring pregnancy or labour are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes an electromyography (EMG) sensor having two or more EMG electrodes to monitor fetal or maternal activity during pregnancy or labour and one or more position sensors to monitor the relative positioning of the two or more EMG electrodes during the fetal or maternal activity. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a monitoring device to be placed on a body and having a plurality of sensors integrated into the monitoring device, the plurality of sensors including at least: a first sensor configured to detect a first type of signal from the body indicative of a first type of fetal or maternal activity during pregnancy or labour; and a second sensor configured to detect a second type of signal from the body, different from the first type of signal, also indicative of the first type of fetal or maternal activity during pregnancy or labour.

An apparatus for acquiring signals from a pregnant subject includes a flexible portion that is conformable to an abdomen of the subject. The flexible portion includes a plurality of signal acquisition points, each signal acquisition point comprising a contact adapted to electrically couple to a respective electrode and signal acquisition circuitry. The flexible portion includes a first linear section that is generally aligned along a first axis; and a second linear section extending from the first linear section, the second linear section being generally aligned along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; wherein a first group of the signal acquisition points is located along the first axis and a second group of the signal acquisition points is located along the second axis.

An apparatus for acquiring signals from a pregnant subject includes a flexible portion that is conformable to an abdomen of the subject. The flexible portion includes a plurality of signal acquisition points, each signal acquisition point comprising a contact adapted to electrically couple to a respective electrode and signal acquisition circuitry. The flexible portion includes a first linear section that is generally aligned along a first axis; and a second linear section extending from the first linear section, the second linear section being generally aligned along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; wherein a first group of the signal acquisition points is located along the first axis and a second group of the signal acquisition points is located along the second axis.

A system to determine status of a pelvic condition in a subject characterised by abnormal contractility activity of a target pelvic structure is described. The system comprises a sensing module to measure electrical activity of the subject's pelvis at a plurality of time points during the subject's hormonal cycle, a signal processing module configured to receive electrical activity measurements from the sensing module and isolate from the electrical activity measurements electrical contractility parameter measurements representative of the target pelvic structure, and a processor module operably connected to the signal processing module. The processor is configured to receive as an input the electrical contractility parameter measurements representative of the target pelvic structure, generate a data profile of the subject comprising the electrical contractility parameter measurements representative of the target pelvic structure, compare the data profile with a database of reference data profiles comprising reference data profiles of subjects with different pelvic condition status, output the status of the pelvic condition in the subject based on the comparison. In any embodiment, the signal processing module is configured to isolate from the electrical activity measurements slow wave electrical contractility parameter measurements representative of the target pelvic structure. Systems and methods for treating pelvic conditions comprising stimulation of a pelvic structure to normalise pelvic structure contractility are also described.