Functional electrical stimulation as a neuroprosthetic methodology for enabling closed-loop urinary incontinence treatment

Abstract

This paper describes a neuroprosthetic methodology using functional electrical stimulation (FES) to treat urinary incontinence. The neuroprosthesis is designed to enable closed-loop urinary incontinence treatment by providing dynamic support to the urethra to restore function. Acute in vivo evaluation of a closed-loop FES control system in a canine model has demonstrated that the neuroprosthesis can significantly increase warning time and bladder capacity to prevent incontinence. The FES can be triggered by the sensation of urgency and bladder contraction to prevent urge urinary incontinence, and by the sudden increase of abdominal pressure to prevent stress urinary incontinence.