Electrical Device for Assisting Bowel Function

The research program is designed to develop a device that will restore bowel emptying and fecalcontinence in human subjects who have lost control of these functions through neurological disease ordamage such as spinal cord injury. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to activate selectivelyand independently the small parasympathetic and the large somatic nerve fibers in the sacral anteriorroots S2, S3, and S4. Small fibers in these roots control lower bowel contraction. Large somatic nervefibers control the external anal sphincter. With this achievement it now becomes possible to overcomeone of the main obstacles to electrical control of the bowel in paraplegics and quadriplegics. The finalresult will be proof of concept and the final development of the needed electrodes. Drs. Mortimer andCreasey have been instrumental in developing similar technologies and will bring this expertise to thebowel assist device.