Patent ID: 8649870
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of stimulating a nerve to affect urinary function, the method comprising, providing a stimulation electrode assembly, the assembly comprising an elongated lead sized and configured to be implanted in adipose tissue at or near a pubic symphysis, the lead including at least one electrode to apply electrical stimulation to a nerve in the adipose tissue, the nerve affecting urinary function, and at least one expandable anchoring structure deployable from the lead to engage the adipose tissue and resist dislodgment and/or migration of the lead and electrode within the adipose tissue, the expandable anchoring structure sized and configured to form an open structure that enlarges in diameter from distal to proximal to resist proximal passage of the lead and electrode through the adipose tissue, placing the expandable anchoring structure in a collapsed condition, implanting the electrically conductive portion and the expandable anchoring structure in the adipose tissues between the pubic symphysis and the clitoris, expanding the anchoring structure into the adipose tissue to resist dislodgment and/or migration of the electrically conductive portion within the adipose tissue, tunneling a proximal portion of the stimulation electrode assembly to an anterior pelvic region remote from the at least one electrode, providing an implantable pulse generator sized and configured to be positioned in subcutaneous tissue in the anterior pelvic region remote from the at least one electrode, coupling the implantable pulse generator to the stimulation electrode assembly, implanting the implantable pulse generator in the anterior pelvic region remote from the at least one electrode, and operating the implantable pulse generator to convey electrical stimulation waveforms through the stimulation electrode assembly to achieve selective stimulation of the nerve to affect urinary function.