Altaviva™ System

If you’re often caught with a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by leakage, you likely have urge incontinence. The urge occurs because the bladder contracts involuntarily which forces urine out.

If medications or lifestyle changes haven’t effectively treated your urge incontinence, the Altaviva System may be the answer to controlling your condition.

A small device, about the size of a flash drive or half a chewing gum stick, is implanted under the skin near your ankle. Implanting requires no general anesthesia or sedation, and you’ll go home the same day.

The device sends gentle electrical pulses to the tibial nerve, a key pathway in controlling bladder function. These gentle pulses help restore communication between the bladder and the brain, reducing sudden urges to urinate and leakage. The stimulation occurs without external wires or bulky hardware.

The battery contained in the device is designed to deliver therapy for up to 15 years. It’s a long-term solution for those who haven’t responded to other treatments.

Common side effects may include mild tingling, numbness, infection, or mild pain near the site of the implant. Serious side effects are rare.

In clinical trials, after 12 months, 80 percent of patients with Altaviva reported their condition improved, and 61 percent of patients said they had a 50 percent or greater reduction in episodes of urge incontinence.

Although Altaviva has the potential to improve quality of life, it is not for everyone. Ask your doctor if Altaviva is right for you.