SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDITIONING PELVIC MUSCULATURE USING AN IMPLANTED MICROSTIMULATOR

摘要

A system and method for conditioning pelvic muscle tissue for the purpose of treating urinary incontinence uses one or more tiny implantable stimulators (20) - termed 'microstimulators' - implanted in or near certain pelvic structures so as to contact target muscle tissue. The microstimulators (20) are small enough to allow their implantation using a hypodermic needle (104). Once implanted, the microstimulators (20) are controlled using a controller (105, 106) and an appropriate coupling coil (102) that couples modulated radio frequency (RF) power into the microstimulators. A fitting station (110) facilitates adjusting the stimulus pattern and amplitude to best meet the needs of a given patient. Once fitted, electrical stimulation is thus provided to the target tissue in accordance with a specified externally-controlled exercise or other regime.