Technologic and Biologic Considerations in Neuro-Urologic Prostheses Development

Loss of volitional control of lower urinary tract function follows degenerative neurologic diseases and traumatic spinal cord injury. The development of implantable prosthetic devices for restoring function has evolved over the last ten years from the use of electrical detrusor stimulation to include urethral occlusion and volume sensing capabilities. Further efforts aimed at stimulating normal reflex function are dependent upon a thorough understanding of the biologic constraints and technologic limitations to this engineering design problem. An electromechanical system that circumvents these restrictions is described.