Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2011 · DOI: 10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6090246 · Published: January 1, 2011
This research investigates a method to improve bladder function in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) using electrical stimulation. The conventional methods have limitations, so this study explores stimulating specific nerve branches to enhance bladder control. The study involved experiments on anesthetized cats and a human participant with SCI. The co-stimulation of two pudendal nerve branches (CSN and DNP) was tested to see if it could improve bladder contractions and voiding efficiency. The study found that co-stimulation of these nerve branches resulted in larger bladder contractions in cats and improved voiding efficiency in the human participant, suggesting a potential for new neural prosthetics for bladder control in SCI patients.
The findings support the development of neural prosthetics for restoring bladder function in individuals with SCI by utilizing selective co-stimulation techniques.
Co-stimulation can significantly improve voiding efficiency, reducing the need for intermittent catheterization and minimizing complications associated with bladder dysfunction.
The study highlights the importance of considering electrode location, stimulation frequency, and amplitude for optimizing bladder contractions, suggesting the need for personalized stimulation strategies.