Wireless Tibial Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Overactive Bladder

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this SBIR Phase 1 proposal is to determine the feasibility of wireless neuromodulation for controlling bladder function. Overactive bladder (OAB) affects about 16.5% of the adult population in both the United States and Europe. Percutaneous electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) recently emerged as an effective, yet minimally invasive alternative to failed conventional behavioral modifications drug treatments, and more invasive surgical approaches. This therapy is commercially available as the Urgent PC(R) system (Uroplasty, Inc, Minnetonka, MN). However, the repeated office visits needed to achieve and sustain the clinical benefits of Urgent PC proves to be a great impediment to the use ofthis product. Thus, while stimulation of the PTN remains a top target for reaching the untreated sufferers of OAB, a clinically acceptable and practical method of implementing this treatment is lacking. As a result millions of patients remain untreat