Product category:
Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: Xemics | Subject: BioControl MiniatURO
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 29 May 2002
Implant aids incontinence
The Xemics ZoomingADC is playing a key role in a novel medical electronics device for the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence.
The BioControl MiniatURO is a microelectronic muscle and nerve stimulator, the size of a small pacemaker, that is implanted subcutaneously in an outpatient procedure for the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence For individuals suffering stress incontinence, whenever the MiniatURO senses an increase in abdominal pressure, it applies mild electrical pulses to the pelvic floor muscles
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 19 Dec 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The pulse activates those muscles preventing undesired urine loss.
In the urge incontinence mode of operation, the MiniatURO applies mild electrical pulses to the pelvic diaphragm nerve, employing the sphincter detrusor reflex to inhibit bladder contractions.
In the mixed case, the two modes of operations are combined.
The MiniatURO primary advantages include: the device is implanted subcutaneously in a minimally invasive fashion; the implant is performed under local anaesthesia in a procedure lasting approximately 30 minutes; the procedure does not change the natural anatomy and is, if needed, reversible; the mode of operation mimics the natural physiology, namely the muscle is activated upon demand; and, finally, the device strengthens the pelvic floor muscle.
This product takes advantage of the Xemics' ZoomingADC, which is integrated into the XE88LC01 sensing machine.
The ZoomingADC can apply a gain of 1000 to the sensing element's signal, then convert the resulting signal with 16bit resolution.
The XE88LC01 can be directly connected to any type of bridge sensor, and benefits from simplified calibration.
"By taking advantage of the level of integration of the XE88LC01 system costs are significantly reduced.
However, the ultra-low-power feature of the XE88LC01 was one of main reasons for its suitability in this product", said Michel Chevroulet, Product Line Manager at Xemics.
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