American Medical Systems, Inc.

Wayne H Graves

William M Klatt

Gerald W Timm

William E Bradley

Robert E Buuck

A method and apparatus for diagnostic evaluation of the urinary tract. The method comprises the steps of generating a urethral pressure profile and simultaneously monitoring and recording electrical signals derived from the urinary tract thereby generating an electrical or electromyographic profile. As fluid is inputted into the urethra the catheter is mechanically withdrawn therefrom at a constant velocity. Fluid pressure within the urethra is derived and recorded thereby providing a urethral pressure profile. Simultaneously, urethral electrical signals derived from one or more electrodes mounted on the catheter are amplified and graphically displayed, thereby plotting urethral electrical activity and urethral fluid pressure at given points along the urethra. The apparatus comprises an interface unit for withdrawing the catheter and for enabling measurement of the various diagnostic parameters.

Profilometry method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for analyzing micturition disturbances are provided. The apparatus comprises a gas cystometry system for monitoring bladder detrusor reflexes and an electromyographic monitoring system which, in the preferred form of this invention, are combined within a unitary enclosure. The cystometry system further compromises a catheter for injecting fluid interiorly of the bladder and associated electronic circuitry for deriving interior bladder pressure. The electromyographic system comprises one or more electrodes for sensing sphincter electrical activity and electronic circuitry interconnected with the electrodes for amplifying sphincter electrical outputs. A dual trace strip chart recorder interconnected with the cystometry apparatus and the electromyography apparatus provides simultaneous display of bladder detrusor reflexes and related sphincter electrical activity for correlated analysis by the attendant physician. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the electromyographic electrodes are operably mounted at the bladder-engaging end of a cystometric catheter. A method disclosed herein for diagnosing micturition dysfunction comprises the steps of generating a cystometrogram, generating a sphincter electromyogram, and simultaneously displaying the cystometrogram and the electromyogram to thereby correlate micturition neurological responses.

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Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Wayne H Graves