Bladder denervation for treating overactive bladder

Abstract

A device and method for transvaginal or transrectal treatment of a bladder pathology. The device includes an elongate body that includes a longitudinal axis, a handle at one end of the body, a head at the other end of the body, and a shaft between the handle and the head. The head includes a substantially flat surface and one or more retractable needle electrodes extending through the flat surface. The method includes inserting a probe into a vagina or rectum of a patient, where the probe includes a head portion comprising one or more retractable needle electrodes; heating one or more pelvic nerves supplying the patient's bladder by emitting radiofrequency energy from the one or more needle electrodes; and as a result of the heating, damaging the one or more pelvic nerves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for transvaginal or transrectal treatment of a bladder pathology, comprising
 an elongate body comprising a longitudinal axis, a handle at one end, a head at the other end, and a shaft between the handle and the head,   the head comprising a substantially flat surface and at least one retractable needle electrode extending therethrough,   wherein the shaft and the head are sized and configured to be received in a patient's vagina or rectum.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the head comprises an array of retractable needle electrodes arranged in rows transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the rows are spaced about 1 cm apart. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one needle electrode is curved. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flat surface is about 3 mm in length in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and from about 1 to about 2 cm in width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises one or more markers for guiding depth of insertion into the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises controls for turning the device off and on and for regulating radiofrequency energy levels. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a slider for extending and retracting the one or more needle electrodes.