Wireless pudendal nerve stimulation to reduce urine leakage after childbirth
Wireless mechano-electrical stimulation of pudendal nerve using piezoelectric platform for stress urinary incontinence
A tiny wireless device that uses mechanical motion to make gentle electrical pulses to the nerve that controls the urethral muscle, aimed at helping women with stress urinary incontinence after vaginal delivery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11370100 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a small, wireless piezoelectric platform that converts motion into gentle electrical stimulation targeted at the pudendal nerve to encourage nerve healing and muscle reinnervation. The approach aims to boost natural growth factors like BDNF to help the external urethral sphincter recover after childbirth-related nerve injury. The design focuses on avoiding invasive electrodes and enabling repeated, on-demand stimulation outside the operating room. Early work will optimize the device and test biological effects that could lead to future clinical testing in patients with postpartum SUI.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women who have stress urinary incontinence that began or persisted after vaginal childbirth and who may have pudendal nerve–related symptoms are the primary candidates.
Not a fit: People with urge incontinence, leakage from pelvic organ prolapse, men, or those with severe structural urethral damage or non-pudendal neurological causes are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could restore nerve function and reduce or eliminate stress urinary leakage without invasive surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Direct electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve has shown promise in preclinical studies to promote nerve regrowth and BDNF release, but using a wireless piezoelectric mechano-electrical device for on-demand stimulation is a novel approach with limited prior human testing.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland State University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uz, Metin — Cleveland State University
- Study coordinator: Uz, Metin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.