FDA OKs Implant for Spinal Injuries

The first implant to help restore bladder function to Americans with spinal cord injuries received Food and Drug Administration approval. A severe consequence of paralyzing spinal cord injuries is loss of bladder control. Patients become dependent on catheters or other hard-to-use equipment and may be prone to bladder accidents. They’re also vulnerable to repeated urinary tract infections. NeuroControl Corp.’s Vocare Bladder System is a pacemaker-style stimulator surgically implanted under the skin of the abdomen. Electrodes send signals to the spinal nerves that lead to the bladder, causing it to contract and then relax.