Patent ID: 7499753
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: A61F,A61N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising an electrically powered stimulation device implantable in a urinary incontinent patient and adapted to electrically stimulate the patient's natural urethral sphincter all the time, except when the patient wants to urinate, to maintain a sufficient tonus of the patient's natural urethral sphincter that prevents urine from passing past the patient's natural urethral sphincter, and a control device that controls said stimulation device, said control device including a hand-held wireless remote control that generates a control signal to control said stimulation device from outside the patient's body to: i) switch off said electrically powered stimulation device, when the patient wants to urinate, and switch on said electrically powered stimulation device, when the patient has finished urinating; and ii) control said stimulation device as needed at any time over the course of a day to promptly adjust the intensity of the electric stimulation of the patient's natural urethral sphincter, so that the tonus of the patient's natural urethral sphincter is instantly increased, whereby the patient is able to maintain continence.