2006 Press Releases

NEW RESEARCH STUDY AT SAINT BARNABAS
ON URINARY INCONTINENCE SEEKS PARTICIPANTS

Livingston, N.J -- Women who are experiencing urine leakage related to coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising may be eligible to participate in a research study of a new device which is being tested by The Center for Urogynecology at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

Intravaginal pessaries are often used as an alternative to surgery to treat women with stress urinary incontinence. However, they are not always effective treatments. In some cases, this is because the devices are difficult to insert and position properly. Some products do not stay in place during physically stressful maneuvers. Others stay in place but do not apply sufficient pressure to prevent urine leakage during situations that cause an increase in abdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, heavy lifting, laughing, etc).

Some women use tampons or feminine hygiene pads in combination with elaborate bathroom habits to help manage their stress urinary incontinence. Many women will never seek medical intervention for this problem. These women report being frustrated with their options.

The Saint Barnabas Study
An intravaginal device is being developed to offer women an effective, easy-to-use alternative to pads or invasive surgery. This product has been developed with several well known tampon features. Once inserted, the product expands to fit and support the bladder neck during stressful events such as coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects.

In early clinical testing, 10 of 12 women experienced a reduction in urine leakage. On average, women experienced a leakage reduction of 67.8 percent. The present study will further evaluate effectiveness and safety, and permit women to use the devise unsupervised for longer periods.
The participant will receive a monetary compensation for their time in this study.

About the Center
Jeffrey L. Segal, M.D., is the Director of The Center for Urogynecology of Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

The Center for Urogynecology specializes in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary stress and/or urge incontinence, overactive bladder, voiding dysfunction, fecal incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, including interstitial cystitis, lower urinary tract fistulas and other urogynecologic problems. An experienced medical team offers patients both conservative and surgical approaches.

Please call (973) 322-9998 for further information about participating in this study.

CONTACT: PUBLIC RELATIONS (973) 322-9901

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