What is a bladder pacemaker?

Sacral nerve electrical stimulation therapy (commonly known as bladder pacemaker) uses implantable bladder pacemaker and electrodes. Electrodes are placed near the sacral nerve to control the storage and release of urine. The bladder pacemaker is placed in the subcutaneous pocket of the hip. By stimulating sacral nerve, the nerve reflex of bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor related to urination can be adjusted, so that the abnormal nerve reflex can be balanced again, thus the symptoms of urination dysfunction can be controlled safely and effectively. The sacral nerve electrical stimulation system consists of three parts: an electrode implanted in the S3 nerve hole of the patient, a bladder pacemaker implanted under the hip to emit electrical pulses, and an extended lead connecting them. Implantation of sacral nerve electrical stimulation system is a minimally invasive operation. Under the guidance of imaging equipment, doctors put the electrodes into the sacral nerve foramen through puncture, and then communicate with the temporary stimulator in vitro to observe the movement response of the patients' pelvic floor muscles and big toes, and adjust the position of the electrodes according to the test situation to achieve the best stimulation state. Patients stay awake during this process to cooperate with the test. After the success of the experiment, the patient will return to the ward with a temporary stimulator to receive experiential treatment, and observe the improvement of dysuria by recording the urination diary. If the symptoms improve well and the patient is satisfied with the treatment effect, the whole stimulation system (extension lead and bladder pacemaker) is implanted. After the operation, doctors and professional technicians can set and adjust the sacral nerve electrical stimulation system non-invasively through the external program controller, and patients can also adjust within the range set by doctors through the configured patient program controller, which is very convenient and flexible to operate.