Incontinence treatment through bioelectrical implant therapy - Open Access Government

Researchers from Amber Therapeutics are currently doing clinical trials of a therapy involving implanting a device which can sense, interpret, adapt, and respond to individual patient signals, to restore normal bladder function.

Professor Tim Denison said: “Modern bioelectronic systems have the unique capability to measure physiological signals and adjust stimulation in real-time.

This study builds on the prior trial in Multiple System Atrophy and paves the way for emerging therapies in generalized epilepsy and chronic pain.”

Diagram of the Picostim DyNeuMo research system toolbox Developed in collaboration between Bioinduction Ltd, and Professor Tim Denison, RAEng Chair in Emerging Technology at the Department of Engineering Science and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the Picostim-DyNeuMo research system was first used on the treatment of Parkinson’s-like multiple system atrophy

Stefan De Wachter, Professor of Urology at Antwerp University and leading investigator for the study, said: “Most of the current available implanted therapies for incontinence are static (tapes, slings) or can only influence the bladder indirectly (such as sacral or tibial stimulation).

“In this trial, we stimulate the pudendal nerve, the natural pathway of continence control, and can reinforce the existing physiologic reflexes when they are needed.