The present invention is a method and apparatus for quantifying nerve and
neural-muscular integrity related to pelvic organs or pelvic floor
functions. In one embodiment, the invention is a method and device to
measure muscle or nerve activity in the pelvis or pelvic floor. In a
modification of this embodiment, the invention includes means for
inducing an efferent nerve signal in the spinal cord or sacral nerves and
then measuring the resulting nerve activity of the nerves of the pelvic
floor region. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes placing a
probe in the anal canal or vagina, the probe having proximal recording
electrodes along its outer surface. In one possible embodiment, the probe
has a distensible sheath having recording electrodes located on its
outside surface. In another embodiment, the probe has an inflatable
balloon at its distal end with recording electrodes located on the
outside surface of the inflatable balloon. In a further embodiment, the
proximal recording electrodes will be located on the outside of the
distal end of the probe itself. In yet another embodiment, a disk having
recording electrodes is placed in the rectum in contact with the tissue
above the submucous space. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an
essentially "C" shaped clip is provided having a core made of a
spring-like material.