Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and methods for stimulating tissue in the urinary tract to initiate or facilitate urination. One embodiment provides an external urinary sphincter stimulation (EUSS) catheter for stimulating the external urinary sphincter (EUS), where the EUSS catheter includes nerve stimulation electrodes (NSES) for delivering current to nerves within or around the EUS in order to relax the EUS prior to urination. Other embodiments provide a system for stimulating the EUS including the EUSS catheter and a controller operatively coupled to the EUSS catheter, where the controller includes a pulse generator for delivering current to the NSES. Other embodiments provide methods for positioning the EUSS catheter in the patient's body including in the EUS using a urethral approach. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for initiating and/or controlling urination for patients who have lost the ability to voluntarily urinate due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

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.

A device and method that provides a minimally-invasive approach to performing treatments on soft tissue, such as that found in the bladder. The device is useful for manipulating tissue such that treatment tools can be inserted into the tissue at a controlled depth.

Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and methods for stimulating tissue in the urinary tract to initiate or facilitate urination. One embodiment provides an external urinary sphincter stimulation (EUSS) catheter for stimulating the external urinary sphincter (EUS), where the EUSS catheter includes nerve stimulation electrodes (NSES) for delivering current to nerves within or around the EUS in order to relax the EUS prior to urination. Other embodiments provide a system for stimulating the EUS including the EUSS catheter and a controller operatively coupled to the EUSS catheter, where the controller includes a pulse generator for delivering current to the NSES. Other embodiments provide methods for positioning the EUSS catheter in the patient's body including in the EUS using a urethral approach. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for initiating and/or controlling urination for patients who have lost the ability to voluntarily urinate due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

The present invention discloses a biomechanically compatible implant, wherein arbitrary selectable discrete locations of the implant are defined to exhibit biomechanical characteristics in accordance with biomechanical characteristics at arbitrary selectable discrete locations of a bodily tissue where the respective arbitrary selectable discrete locations of the implant are configured to be attached. The implant may be configured to repair prolapse in an embodiment. In another embodiment, the implant may be configured to repair urinary incontinence. The present invention further discloses a device for generating a biomechanical characteristics pattern of the bodily tissue and the implant. The present invention further discloses a system for designing and fabricating the biomechanically compatible implant.

Described is a pelvic implant comprising a biodegradable conductive mesh. The mesh can include biodegradable and electrically conductive polymer, and can be stimulated with a current to generate an electric field to promote an improved tissue response following placement of the implant. The invention also describes methods and systems including the pelvic implant comprising a biodegradable conductive mesh for the treatment of pelvic floor conditions. Implants of the invention provide benefits relating to improved tissue integration into the mesh, resulting in pelvic tissue reconstruction. Tissue reconstruction and elimination of the mesh materials can lead to a better clinical outcome for the patient.

An apparatus for the treatment of urinary incontinence includes a balloon configured for movement between an inflated state and a deflated state, and the balloon includes bellows. An electrode is coupled to an outer surface of the balloon, and is configured to transmit an electrical pulse to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrode. A control device is configured to be operable by a user to cause the balloon to selectively move between the inflated state and the deflated state and to cause the electrode to transmit the electrical pulse. The bellows and the electrode are configured to cooperate to maintain the structural integrity of the balloon. The bellows and the electrode are further configured to cooperate to cause the balloon to inflate in a radially non-uniform manner.

A neuromodulation apparatus for stimulating neural activity in a renal nerve of a patient is provided, the apparatus comprising a transducer Patient for applying a signal to the renal nerve so as to produce a physiological response. Methods of treating sleep apnoea are also provided, including methods using the neuromodulation apparatus.

Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and methods for facilitating introduction of a urinary drainage catheter (UDC) into the urinary tract (UT). One embodiment provides a UDC including electrodes for delivering high frequency current to a patient's pudendal nerves to relax the urinary sphincter (US) before passing the UDC therethrough so as reduce the resistance force on the UDC and discomfort to the patient. The electrodes can comprise at least one pair of bipolar electrodes and may be flexible so as to bend and flex within the urethra. The UDC includes one or more lumens including a drainage lumen and an inflation lumen for inflating an anchoring device on the UDC. The UDC can include a pressure sensor to assess relaxation of the US. The UDC may include a second set of electrodes and irrigation lumen for relaxing the US and flushing the urethra with the UDC in place.

A device and method that provides a minimally-invasive approach to performing treatments on soft tissue, such as that found in the bladder. The device is useful for manipulating tissue such that treatment tools can be inserted into the tissue at a controlled depth.