Originally published on November 12, 2013

Cambridge researchers have engineered a new device that may restore bladder control to patients paralyzed by traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Historically, paralyzed patients rely on catheters to drain urine. If successfully adapted for human use, the neuroprosthetic device will detect a full bladder and generate the stimulus needed for bladder contraction.

Under normal circumstances, the full bladder sends signals to the brain through a nerve running up the spinal cord. The brain then signals back down to the bladder, stimulating contraction that results in urination.

The damaged spinal cord cannot relay signals between the bladder and the brain, however. The device forms a complete circuit with the nerves running to and from the bladder. When it senses the bladder has reached capacity, it sends an alert to an external sensor and returns a signal to the bladder to prevent it from voiding.

When alerted, the patient can then push a button to trigger the neuroprosthetic to stimulate bladder contraction and urination.

The system was successful implemented in rats, but it could be years before it is ready for human use.

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