The new bladder pacemaker, surgically implanted in the patient's hip, is attached to a lead wire that is threaded to a site within the sacral canal at the base of the spine. The pacemaker can be externally programmed to deliver a painless electrical stimulus to the sacral nerves, which regulate bladder function. This enables patients to control urine storage and release and regain control over this vital function.

Diagram courtesy of Medtronic Inc.

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