Devices and methods for stimulating nerves

摘要

A device for stimulating nerves adjacent the vagina includes a nerve stimulating element coupled to a body. The nerve stimulating element is positioned to stimulate the vesical, Frankenhauser's and/or inferior hypogastric plexuses. The device may reside in the vaginal fornices.

主权项

1. A method of stimulating nerves adjacent a vaginal canal, comprising the steps of:
positioning a device in the vagina, the device including a body and a first nerve stimulating element coupled to the body, the positioning step being carried out with the device also having a second nerve stimulating element; and stimulating nerves adjacent the vaginal canal using the first nerve stimulating element, the stimulating step being carried out with the nerves being a first target nerve plexus selected from the group of nerve plexuses consisting of the vesical plexus, the inferior hypogastric plexus and the Frankenhauser's plexuses, the stimulating step being carried out with the second nerve stimulating element stimulating a second target plexus selected from the group of nerve plexuses consisting of the vesical plexus, the inferior hypogastric plexus and the Frankenhauser's plexuses, the second target plexus being different from the first target nerve plexus, the stimulating step is carried out with the first nerve stimulating element being actuated at a different time from the second nerve stimulating element.