Devices and methods for stimulating nerves

Abstract

A device positioned in the vagina includes a sensor. The sensor data is used to determine whether a condition is met or exists to trigger a therapeutic response by the device. A device for stimulating nerves adjacent the vagina includes a nerve stimulating element coupled to a main body. The nerve stimulating element is positioned and designed to stimulate the vesical, Frankenhauser's and/or inferior hypogastric plexuses. The device may reside in the vaginal fornices. An implant is also provided which has a nerve stimulating element in contact with a uterosacral ligament. The device positioned in the vagina may be used to charge a power source for an implant, which may be a capacitor.

1 - 176 . (canceled) 
     
     
         177 . A system for stimulating nerves, comprising
 a first body having an exterior surface;   a first nerve stimulating element coupled to the first body;   a first power source coupled to the first body; and   a first control system coupled to the first power source and the first nerve stimulating element.   
     
     
         178 . The system of  claim 177 , further comprising:
 a second nerve stimulating element coupled to the body, the second nerve stimulating element positioned to apply nerve stimulus at a different position along a uterosacral ligament from the first nerve stimulating element when the first body is secured to the uterosacral ligament.   
     
     
         179 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein:
 the first nerve stimulating element is configured to stimulate nerves sufficiently to change a signal transmitted by the nerves to associated nerves and nerve endings.   
     
     
         180 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein:
 the control system is configured to actuate the first nerve stimulating element at a different time from the second nerve stimulating element.   
     
     
         181 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein:
 the first body has a first throughhole sized to receive the uterosacral ligament.   
     
     
         182 - 208 . (canceled) 
     
     
         209 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein:
 the body has a throughhole in which the uterosacral ligament is positioned, the throughhole being tapered.   
     
     
         210 - 270 . (canceled) 
     
     
         271 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein:
 the first implant has a first power source coupled to the implant control system.   
     
     
         272 . The system of  claim 271 , wherein:
 the first implant power source is a capacitor.   
     
     
         273 . (canceled) 
     
     
         274 . The system of  claim 272 , wherein:
 the capacitor includes graphene and polymer.   
     
     
         275 - 276 . (canceled) 
     
     
         277 . The system of  claim 272 , wherein:
 the capacitor is sized to provide at least 2 days of power to operate the first implant under peak operating conditions.   
     
     
         278 . The system of  claim 272 , wherein:
 the capacitor is sized to provide no more than 60 days of power for operating the first implant under peak operating conditions.   
     
     
         279 . A method of implanting a nerve stimulator to stimulate
 a hypogastric nerve, comprising the steps of:
 providing a first implant having a first body, a first nerve stimulating element coupled to the first body, and an implant control system coupled to the first nerve stimulating element; 
 forming an access opening in the patient leading to the peritoneum; 
 creating an opening in the peritoneum to expose a hypogastric nerve; 
 securing the first implant to the patient so that the first nerve stimulating element is in contact with the hypogastric nerve; and 
 stimulating the hypogastric nerve using the first nerve stimulating element. 
   
     
     
         280 - 420 . (canceled) 
     
     
         421 . A system of delivering a therapeutic material in a vaginal canal, comprising:
 a main body;   a first sensor coupled to the main body, the main body also including a material reservoir containing a therapeutic material and coupled to the main body;   a control system in communication with the first sensor, the control system determining whether a condition exists from data received from the sensor, the control system configured to release the therapeutic material from the material reservoir when the condition exists.   
     
     
         422 . The system of  claim 421 ; wherein:
 the sensor senses an ion concentration.   
     
     
         423 . The system of  claim 421 , wherein:
 the sensor is a pH sensor that produces pH sensor data; and   the control system selecting the amount of therapeutic material to deliver based on the pH sensor data to alter the pH of the vagina.   
     
     
         424 . The system of  claim 421 , wherein:
 the therapeutic material contained in the material reservoir includes estrogen.   
     
     
         425 . The system of  claim 421 , wherein:
 the sensor is a blood pressure sensor; and   the therapeutic material selected to alter the blood pressure.   
     
     
         426 . The system of  claim 421 , wherein:
 the sensor is a heart beat sensor; and   the therapeutic material being selected to alter at least one of a heart rate and a heart rhythm.   
     
     
         427 . The system of  claim 421 , wherein:
 the main body has a central opening, the cervix being positioned in the central opening and the main body extending at least 270 degrees around the cervix.   
     
     
         428 . The system of  claim 421 , wherein;
 the sensor is a pH sensor; and   the control system delivers a controlled amount of therapeutic material based upon the pH measurement by the pH sensor to alter the pH of the vagina.   
     
     
         429 - 439 . (canceled)