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New Medical Device to Treat Urinary Incontinence

New Medical Device to Treat Urinary Incontinence

Discover Altaviva™ therapy

If you have been struggling with urinary incontinence for some time, you’ll be interested in know about a new medical device that helps reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence and gets you back to the things you like to do. 

The evidence-based implant, Altaviva™, is a convenient and hopeful next step, with automatic therapy delivery that can integrate seamlessly into your life. Unlike medications or injections that target bladder muscles, the Altaviva™ implant for urge urinary incontinence (UUI) targets the tibial nerve that helps control normal bladder function by stimulating the tibial nerve.

How does this medical device work?
  • A small implantable device is placed under the skin near the ankle and sends electrical pulses to the tibial nerve that is important in maintaining normal bladder function.
  • These pulses may help restore the communication pathways between the bladder and brain, which may help reduce urgency with leaks.
  • This treatment is called tibial neuromodulation, a proven therapy for reducing bladder control symptoms.
A single procedure may help improve your quality of life:
  • Implanted in a single, outpatient procedure that lets you go home the same day
  • Same-day therapy activation
  • MRI-ready from the start for full-body 1.5T or 3T scans
  • Long-lasting battery – designed to deliver up to 15 years of treatment

For more information, visit www.Medtronic.com/Altaviva 

In addition to risks related to surgery, complications can include pain at the implant site, lower leg pain, infection, and/or technical or device problems. Results vary.

Learn More

Urogynecologists at Premier Women’s Health – Oakdale OBGYN are trained to prescribe and implant the Altaviva medical device. Make an appointment to learn if the Altaviva™ system is right for you. 

*MRI compatibility is subject to certain conditions. See approved labeling for details.
† Based on clinical and bench testing for expected therapy settings

Important Safety Information

Medtronic Altaviva™ tibial neuromodulation system treats urge urinary incontinence (leakage). It should be used after you have tried other treatments such as medications and behavioral therapy, and they have not worked or you could not tolerate them.  

This therapy is not for everyone. The Altaviva™ system is contraindicated (not allowed) for patients who are poor surgical candidates including patients with open wounds, sores, or damaged skin near the treatment area; current or recent history of poor blood circulation in the legs or open sores on the legs from circulation problems; physical changes or previous surgeries where the Altaviva™ device is placed. You must be able to operate or receive assistance in operating the system to be a candidate.  

This therapy is not intended for patients who: are not good candidates for surgery or have conditions that make it hard to heal from wounds (such as uncontrolled diabetes, swelling in the lower leg, or nerve problems in the leg); have metal implanted within 5 cm of where the Altaviva™ device would be placed; have a current or unresolved blockage in the urinary tract caused by things like an enlarged prostate, cancer, or urethral narrowing; are allergic to any materials in the Altaviva™ device. The Altaviva™ system may affect or be affected by other implanted medical devices, including pacemakers and defibrillators. Talk to your doctor if you have a pacemaker or other implanted devices. You cannot have diathermy (deep heat treatment using shortwave or microwave electromagnetic energy) if you have an Altaviva™ device. Do not place the charger or ankle band on broken or unhealed skin. Safety and effectiveness have not been established for pregnancy; patients under the age of 18; patients with progressive, systemic neurologic disease; patients with history of urinary retention, or bilateral stimulation.  

In addition to risks related to surgery, complications can include pain at the implant site or lower leg pain, infection, wound complications, nerve injury, movement of the implant, undesirable change in bowel or bladder function, uncomfortable or unintended stimulation sensations, unexpected shocking sensation, loss of therapeutic effect, discomfort when recharging, or technical or device problems. 

This therapy is not for everyone. This treatment is prescribed by your doctor. Please talk to your doctor to decide whether this therapy is right for you. Your doctor should discuss all potential benefits and risks with you. Although many patients may benefit from the use of this treatment, results may vary.  

For complete safety information about this treatment, please visit the Medtronic website at www.medtronic.com.