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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Preparation of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Electrodes for Chronic Implantation in Rats
Published on: July 14, 2020
Twelve-month Durability of a Fully-implanted, Nickel-sized and Shaped Tibial Nerve Stimulator for the Treatment of
Peter Gilling1, Patrick Meffan2, Bilal Kaaki3
1Tauranga Urology Research Ltd, Tauranga, New Zealand.
Objectives:
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the eCoin - a nickel-sized, primary battery-powered, neuromodulation device for the treatment of urgency urinary incontinence which is implanted in the lower leg in a 20-minute procedure under local anesthesia. A feasibility clinical trial was conducted and the results after 1 year of treatment with the eCoin are presented.
Methods:
A total of 46 participants with refractory urgency urinary incontinence were included in this prospective, single-arm, open-label study. This study was conducted at 7 sites in the United States and New Zealand. Participants in this study were implanted with the eCoin in the lower leg over the tibial nerve and activated after 4 weeks. Bladder diary data and validated quality-of-life instruments, collected at 3, 6, and 12 months' post-activation, were compared to baseline values.
Results:
Responders were defined as those who had a ≥50% reduction in reported episodes of urgency urinary incontinence. At 12 months', 65% of participants were considered responders with 26% of participants achieving complete continence. The median number of urgency urinary incontinence episodes per day decreased from 4.2 at baseline to 1.7 at 12 months'. Seventy percent of participants reported feeling "better", "much better", or "very much better" on the Likert 7-point maximum scale. One participant experienced a related serious adverse event.
Conclusion:
The eCoin is a safe and effective treatment for urgency urinary incontinence associated with overactive bladder syndrome, with significant reduction or complete resolution of symptoms and no significant safety concerns.
