In some examples, a medical device includes an elongated body defining an inner lumen. The medical device further includes an anchoring member and a first sensor at a proximal portion of the elongated body, and a second sensor at a distal portion of the elongated body or distal to a distal end of the elongated body. The second sensor is configured to sense a substance of interest and the elongated body comprises a material that is a substantially non-permeable to the substance of interest.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for estimating the status of a bladder, especially with respect to the likelihood of an imminent voiding of the bladder. The apparatuses carry out computer-implemented methods of estimating a bladder status employing a bladder monitor which collects bladder data (e.g. using ultrasound) and transmits the bladder data to a data processor for algorithmic conversion to a bladder status. Such algorithms may be trained and tuned to a particular person's bladder. Having established a bladder status based on otherwise esoteric bladder data, the data processor may then trigger an alert signal where the bladder status meets particular criteria indicating an imminent voiding event. Such a trigger signal may be used to alert a nocturnal enuresis patient to an impending void so that they can be awoken before any bedwetting occurs.

A device may include a first portion coupled to a shaft of an insertable medical device. The first portion may extend along a first portion longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The first portion may include a protrusion extending radially outwardly of the first portion longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the first portion may be received within a lumen of a second portion. The second portion may be axially moveable along the first portion longitudinal axis relative to the first portion. The second portion may include a longitudinally extending channel. A spring may be located radially between the first portion and the second portion.

The present disclosure relates generally to using detected bladder events for the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. A system includes a sensing device comprising a pressure sensor to directly detect a pressure within a bladder. The sensing device is adapted to be located within the bladder. The system also includes a signal processing device to: receive a signal indicating the detected pressure within the bladder; detect a bladder event based the detected pressure within the signal; and characterize the bladder event as a bladder contraction event or a non-contraction event. The characterization of the bladder event can be used in the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

A urinary catheter is described that can be retained inside the body for extended periods. A catheter mating device can connect to the catheter to move the catheter inside of the body or remove it from the body. The catheter includes one or more of: (1) a retention portion having an outer cover, an inner cavity, and at least one structure in the inner cavity that exerts outward force on the outer cover, and (2) an extendable flap at the catheter's distal end. The retention portion and/or extendable flap each are configured to retain the catheter in the proper position inside of a user's body.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for estimating the status of a bladder, especially with respect to the likelihood of an imminent voiding of the bladder. The apparatuses carry out computer-implemented methods of estimating a bladder status employing a bladder monitor which collects bladder data (e.g. using ultrasound) and transmits the bladder data to a data processor for algorithmic conversion to a bladder status. Such algorithms may be trained and tuned to a particular person's bladder. Having established a bladder status based on otherwise esoteric bladder data, the data processor may then trigger an alert signal where the bladder status meets particular criteria indicating an imminent voiding event. Such a trigger signal may be used to alert a nocturnal enuresis patient to an impending void so that they can be awoken before any bedwetting occurs.

Embodiments of the invention provide devices and systems to monitor fullness of a patient’s bladder. One embodiment of a bladder fullness (BF) measure system comprises a sensor device (SD) and a controller. The SD generates an output signal (OS) based on the force exerted by the bladder against SD the wherein the OS corresponds to a degree of BF. The SD may be attached to the bladder wall or adjoining tissue and positioned between the bladder and the pubic bone such that the SD is not affected by tissues force other than that from the bladder. The controller connects to the SD and causes an associated implant to perform a function when the SD output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Embodiments are particularly useful for providing information on BF to patients suffering from spinal injury or other conditions whereby they have lost the ability to sense BF and/or voluntarily urinate.

Provided is a biofeedback apparatus using a magnetic stimulator. In the biofeedback apparatus, a tube filled with a non-conductive fluid is disposed between a magnetic stimulator and patient's pelvic floor muscles to measure a change in pressure according to muscle exercise of the pelvic floor muscles, biofeedback is available without insertion of a tool for measurement of a pressure or an EMG (electromyogram) into vagina, urethra, or the like. In the biofeedback apparatus, since driving of the magnetic stimulator and driving of a pressure transducer do not influence each other, a controller can continuously monitor a state of change in pressure of the pelvic floor muscles by using the pressure transducer and, at the same time, can adjust a strength of a magnetic field generated from the magnetic stimulator to an optimal strength according to the monitored state, so that it is possible to maximize the effect of treatment.

A device may include a first portion coupled to a shaft of an insertable medical device. The first portion may extend along a first portion longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The first portion may include a protrusion extending radially outwardly of the first portion longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the first portion may be received within a lumen of a second portion. The second portion may be axially moveable along the first portion longitudinal axis relative to the first portion. The second portion may include a longitudinally extending channel. A spring may be located radially between the first portion and the second portion.

Systems and methods for generating notifications based on bladder volume signals and bladder muscle signals are disclosed. A system includes a processor, a plurality of bladder electrical signal application electrodes, a plurality of bladder volume measurement electrodes, a plurality of bladder muscle measurement electrodes, a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, and machine readable instructions stored in the memory module. When executed by the processor, the machine readable instructions cause the system to output a first electrical output signal with the plurality of bladder electrical signal application electrodes, receive the bladder volume signal at the plurality of bladder volume measurement electrodes in response to the first electrical output signal, receive the bladder muscle signal at the plurality of bladder muscle measurement electrodes, and generate the notification based on the bladder volume signal and the bladder muscle signal.