The goal of this SBIR Phase 1 proposal is to determine the feasibility of wireless neuromodulation for controlling bladder function. Overactive bladder (OAB) affects about 16.5% of the adult population in both the United States and Europe. Percutaneous electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) recently emerged as an effective, yet minimally invasive alternative to failed conventional behavioral modifications drug treatments, and more invasive surgical approaches. This therapy is commercially available as the Urgent PC(R) system (Uroplasty, Inc, Minnetonka, MN). However, the repeated office visits needed to achieve and sustain the clinical benefits of Urgent PC proves to be a great impediment to the use of this product. Thus, while stimulation of the PTN remains a top target for reaching the untreated sufferers of OAB, a clinically acceptable and practical method of implementing this treatment is lacking. As a result millions of patients remain untreated. The long-term goal of this project is to restore quality of life to those suffering with OAB by providig patients with a means of treating themselves in their own home as needed. This approach will overcome the primary weakness of the Urgent PC therapy. Rossellini Scientific is partnering with Stimwave Technologies to apply their wireless implant technology to a form factor and therapeutic treatment protocol appropriate for electrical PTN stimulation. In this Phase 1 proposal, our first specific aim is to test the feasibility of using our wirelessly powered nerve stimulator to reflexively inhibit the urinary bladder - and hence increase bladder capacity - in an acute animal model. We plan to expand our preliminary data that showed electrical nerve stimulation using a voltage-controlled capacitive discharge (VCCD) waveform requires less charge per pulse than traditional constant-current (CC) stimulation. We will determine whether VCCD or CC stimulation is most appropriate for electrically modulating bladder function. We will also determine target stimulation parameters for wireless neuromodulation of bladder function to be used in planned clinical trials. The second specific aim is to test the chronic performance of the implant in animals to ensure stability of device function. To conclude that our device and approach are feasible, we must observe at least a 30% decrease in bladder pressure (induce relaxation), and that bladder volume is increased by e 50% under the conditions of this study. We must also find that our device effectively stimulates following 4, 8, and 12 weeks of implantation. If our device is effective in these models, then we will apply to the NIH for Phase 2 funding to carry out a clinical trial to test safety, efficacy, and patient compliance.

Public Health Relevance

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects approximately 34 million Americans. It is a devastating condition that impairs mobility, leads to social isolation, disturbe sleep, impaired domestic functionality, diminished sexual performance, and reduction in the ability to live independently. Due to lack of treatment options, less than half of the patients wit this condition actually receive effective treatment. This is a proposal to develop a neuromodulation treatment for this unreached patient population.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43DK101147-01
Application #
8643323
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-DKUS-G (13))
Program Officer
Kirkali, Ziya
Project Start
2014-06-01
Project End
2015-05-31
Budget Start
2014-06-01
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$213,345
Indirect Cost
Name
Rosellini Scientific, LLC
Department
Type
DUNS #
968130778
City
Dallas
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75240
Moazzam, Zainab; Paquette, Jason; Duke, Austin R et al. (2017) Feasibility of Long-term Tibial Nerve Stimulation Using a Multi-contact and Wirelessly Powered Neurostimulation System Implanted in Rats. Urology 102:61-67
Moazzam, Zainab; Duke, Austin R; Yoo, Paul B (2016) Posterior tibial nerve stimulation using a wirelessly powered system in anesthetized cats. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2016:4459-4462
Moazzam, Zainab; Duke, Austin R; Yoo, Paul B (2016) Inhibition and Excitation of Bladder Function by Tibial Nerve Stimulation Using a Wirelessly Powered Implant: An Acute Study in Anesthetized Cats. J Urol 196:926-33