Electro-stimulation systems and methods for rehabilitation and treatment of sexual disorders

Abstract

An implantable stimulation system having an implantable stimulation unit coupled to a programmable controller, a stimulation circuit and an array of electrodes disposed on a pair of flexible paddles is provided for selectively stimulating at least one cavernous nerve. The programmable controller is pre-programmed to run an excitation electrode routine that selectively scans the electrode arrays on the paddles with a series of directional current flows, in at least two directions and within at least two regions, to optimize electrode selection for use in stimulating the cavernous nerve. The implantable stimulation system may be programmed to run a first stimulation pulse sequence corresponding to a first mode for invoking a rapid erectile response, and optionally, a second nerve rehabilitation stimulation mode selected to rehabilitate neural transmission in a cavernous nerve, and/or a third penile rehabilitation mode selected to reduce penile fibrosis. Methods of operating the system also are provided.