CAN-Stim Compared to SNS in Treatment of Urinary Urgency Incontinence With Wireless Neuromodulation Technology (PROTECT)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02577302 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : October 16, 2015
Last Update Posted : July 21, 2022
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Urinary Incontinence, Urge | Device: CAN-Stim - Protect CAN-Stim System Device: SNS - InterStim® System | Not Applicable |
Subjects will be randomized at baseline to either CAN-Stim or SNS InterStim® after inclusion and exclusion criteria have been met, 150 subjects will be randomized in to either arm of the study (89 subjects each arm).
At the following visit, CAN-Stim subjects will be immediately implanted unilaterally with a permanent device (implantation side up to investigators discretion). During implantation, the subject should feel pulsation in their foot with or without toe flexion, confirming stimulation of the tibial nerve. Subjects not achieving this motor response will not have the device implanted and will be exited from the study. Implanted subjects will be educated on the use of the transmitter and programmer. Programming parameters will be set and therapy will be delivered for a minimum of 8 hours per day for 2 weeks. Programming changes can be done as needed during this time period to maximize clinical response. At the 2-week visit, diaries will be reviewed and confirmed for accuracy and discrepancies and the number of urgency incontinence episodes will be calculated and compared to baseline diaries. Subjects who are considered a responder at the 2-week follow-up visit (>50% improvement in urgency related incontinence episodes) will continue therapy and followed for a total of 12 months with primary outcomes assessed at 3 months. Non-responders will be offered an explant of the device and will exit the study. Subjects having less than 50% improvement may choose to keep the device. These subjects will be followed for adverse events with phone calls at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Subjects randomized to SNS will have their Stage I device implanted and tested during a 2-week period. Stage I will have a tined, quadripolar lead placed in the S3 (preferred) or S4 (alternate) foramen in the standard fashion using fluoroscopic guidance and motor response. Motor responses can include a contraction of the levators ("bellows" response) with or without plantar flexion of the great toe. Subjects who are not demonstrating an appropriate motor response will not have the device implanted and will be exited from the study. Subjects, who respond intraoperatively, will have the extension lead connected and externalized in the standard fashion. Subjects may have their InterStim® activated 24 hours/day, but a minimum of 8 hours per day for 2 weeks is required to remain in the study. Programming changes can be done as needed during this time period to maximize the clinical effect. At the 2-week visit, diaries will be reviewed and confirmed for accuracy and clarified for discrepancies and the number of urgency incontinence episodes will be calculated and compared to baseline diaries. Patients achieving a clinical response (>50% improvement in urgency related incontinence episodes) will undergo implantation of a pulse generator and removal of the percutaneous extension lead. The IPG will be programmed in the standard fashion using settings that were working for the patient during the 2-week trial. Subjects implanted with the InterStim® device will be monitored for a total of 12 months with primary outcomes assessed at 3 months. Non-responders will be offered an explant of the device and will exit the study. Subjects having less than 50% improvement may choose to keep the device. These subjects will be followed for adverse events with phone calls at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 200 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Non-Inferiority |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Multi-center, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Non-Inferiority, Clinical Trial of Chronic Afferent Nerve Stimulation (CAN-Stim) of the Tibial Nerve Versus Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) in the Treatment of Urinary Urgency Incontinence Resulting From Refractory Overactive Bladder (OAB) |
Actual Study Start Date : | June 21, 2018 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | October 2024 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | October 2024 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: CAN-Stim Group - CAN-Stim System
Intervention: tibial medical device Subjects randomized to this group will have the Protect CAN-Stim System tibial medical device implanted for the duration of the study. |
Device: CAN-Stim - Protect CAN-Stim System
CAN-Stim subjects will be implanted unilaterally (implantation side is up to the investigators discretion) with the CAN-Stim System. Subjects will be educated on the use of the transmitter and programmer. Therapy will be delivered for a minimum of 8 hours per day for 2 weeks. Subjects who are considered a responder at the 2-week follow-up, will continue therapy and followed for a total of 12 months. |
Active Comparator: SNS Group - Interstim® System
Intervention: SNS Medical device Subjects randomized to SNS will have their Stage I device implanted and tested during a 2-week period. Stage I will have a tined, quadripolar lead placed in the S3 (preferred) or S4 (alternate) foramen in the standard fashion using fluoroscopic guidance and motor response. Motor responses can include a contraction of the levators ("bellows" response) with or without plantar flexion of the great toe. Subjects who are not demonstrating an appropriate motor response will not have the device implanted and will be exited from the study. |
Device: SNS - InterStim® System
Subjects randomized to SNS will have their Stage I device implanted and tested during a 2-week period. Stage I will have a tined, quadripolar lead placed in the S3 (preferred) or S4 (alternate) foramen in the standard fashion using fluoroscopic guidance and motor response. Motor responses can include a contraction of the levators ("bellows" response) with or without plantar flexion of the great toe. Subjects who are not demonstrating an appropriate motor response will not have the device implanted and will be exited from the study.Therapy will be delivered for a minimum of 8 hours per day for 2 weeks. Subjects who are considered a responder at the 2-week follow-up, will receive a full implant and followed for a total of 12 months. |
- Response rate: a ≥ 50% reduction in number of urgency related incontinence episodes [ Time Frame: 3 Months ]The primary efficacy endpoint is defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in number of urgency related incontinence episodes at 3 months post-implant of the CAN-Stim system compared to SNS InterStim® system therapy. The number of urgency incontinent episodes per day is taken as an average of two 3-day consecutive bladder diaries, with at least 24 hours between when the first diary ends and the second diary begins
- device- and procedure-related Adverse Events (AE) [ Time Frame: 3 Months ]The safety endpoint is the device- and procedure-related Adverse Events (AE) rate at 3 months in the CAN-Stim and SNS groups.
- Response rate: a ≥ 50% reduction in number of urgency related incontinence episodes [ Time Frame: 6,12 Months ]The endpoint is defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in number of urgency related incontinence episodes at 6 and 12 months post-implant of the CAN-Stim system compared to SNS InterStim® system therapy. The number of urgency incontinent episodes per day is collected with a voiding diary.
- device- and procedure-related Adverse Events (AE) [ Time Frame: 6,12 Months ]The safety endpoint is the device- and procedure-related Adverse Events (AE) rate at 6 and 12 months in the CAN-Stim and SNS groups.
- Voiding Frequency [ Time Frame: 3, 6,12 Months ]The achievement in each subject of a ≥ 50% reduction in the number of voids or a return to normal voiding frequency (< 8 voids/day) from baseline to 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up in the CAN-stim group compared to the InterStim® group;
- Reduction in degree of urgency [ Time Frame: 3, 6,12 Months ]A reduction in the degree of urgency as measured with the Indevus Urgency Severity Scale (IUSS) in the CAN-Stim group compared to the InterStim® group.
- Quality of Life: I-QOL: Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL) [ Time Frame: 3, 6,12 Months ]Change in the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL) in the CAN-Stim group compared to the InterStim® group
- Proportion of subjects dry [ Time Frame: 3, 6,12 Months ]B. The proportion of subjects dry as measured by the number of incontinence episodes per day associated with urgency as captured on the voiding diary.
- Episodes [ Time Frame: 3, 6,12 Months ]The number of episodes associated with urgency as illustrated by voiding diaries
- Improvement [ Time Frame: 3, 6,12 Months ]Global Response Assessment (GRA) will be used to compare the proportion of subjects reporting "moderately" or "markedly improved" responses on all subject visits
- OAB [ Time Frame: 3, 6,12 Months ]Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-Q)
- AE's [ Time Frame: 6, 12 months ]Adverse events both related or unrelated in the CAN-Stim group compared to the InterStim® group throughout the study

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of overactive bladder with urgency urinary incontinence or mixed incontinence (urge and stress) with predominate urge, as confirmed by the MESA questionnaire;
- Women and men ≥ 18 years of age;
- Women of child-bearing age willing to practice birth control;
- At least 4 incontinent episodes associated with urgency on a 3-day voiding diary;
- At least 10 voids per day;
- Average urgency score of at least 2 as measured with IUSS on a 3-day voiding diary;
- Self-reported bladder symptoms present > 6 months;
- Documented failure of an adequate trial of first and second line therapy;
- Off all antimuscarinics and beta-3 adrenergic agonists for at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment;
- If on Tricyclic antidepressants, dosage must be stabilized for at least 3 months;
- Have no active urethral obstruction/stricture, bladder calculi or bladder tumor based on medical history;
- Normal upper urinary tract function based on medical history;
- Based on the medical opinion of the Investigator, there is no evidence of anatomic abnormalities that could jeopardize the placement of the device or pose a hazard to the subject;
- Based on the medical opinion of the Investigator, subject is willing and able to operate the patient programmer, recharging equipment, diary and has the ability to undergo study assessments and provide accurate responses;
- Based on the medical opinion of the Investigator, subject is a good surgical subject for the implant procedure;
- Capable of giving informed consent;
- Capable and willing to follow all study related procedures.
Exclusion Criteria:
- An active implantable electronic device regardless of whether stimulation is ON or OFF;
- Pregnant as confirmed by a urine pregnancy test or plan to become pregnant during the following 12 months period;
- Primary complaint of stress urinary incontinence;
- Less than 1 year post-partum and/or are breast-feeding;
- Neurogenic bladder (i.e. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Spinal Cord Injury);
- Patients with spinal hardware that would limit access to the sacrum;
- Botox use in bladder or pelvic floor muscles in the past nine months;
- Have a post-void residual urine volume >150 cc at baseline;
- Current urinary tract infection (UTI);
- Previous treatment with sacral neuromodulation;
- Previous treatment with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, pelvic floor muscle stimulation, or biofeedback within the past 60 days;
- Conditions requiring Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evaluation or diathermy procedures;
- Inability to operate the CAN-Stim System or InterStim System;
- Diabetes with peripheral nerve compromise or severe uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1C 8.5 or greater);
- History of coagulopathy or bleeding disorder;
- History of pelvic pain as primary diagnosis (VAS score of > 4) at baseline;
- Anatomical restrictions such that device placement is not possible;
- Are currently participating or have participated within the past 30 days in any clinical investigation involving or impacting urinary or renal function;
- Have a life expectancy of less than 1 year;
- Cannot independently comprehend and complete the questionnaires and diaries;
- Deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator based on history or physical examination (including bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medications, and peripheral neuropathy);
- Dependent on wearable, transcutaneous, or other therapeutic medical device (examples: glucose monitor, TENS) for treatment of a disease or disorder.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02577302
Contact: Miriam Chery | 888-691-0585 | contact@micronmed.com | |
Contact: Shanice Saunders | 888-691-0585 | contact@micronmed.com |
United States, California | |
Tilda Research Inc | Recruiting |
Laguna Hills, California, United States, 92653 | |
Contact: Justin Deck 949-680-3490 jdeck@tilda.bio | |
Principal Investigator: Kenneth Deck, MD | |
Sub-Investigator: Jennifer Gruenenfelder, MD | |
Kaiser Permanente | Recruiting |
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90027 | |
Contact: Isabel Gallegos 323-783-5081 Isabel.Gallegos@kp.org | |
Principal Investigator: Christopher Tenggardjaja | |
University of California Irvine Medical Center | Recruiting |
Orange, California, United States, 92868 | |
Contact: Phuong Linh Huynh, MPH 714-456-6155 plhuynh@uci.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Felicia Lane, MD | |
Westview Clinical Research | Recruiting |
Placentia, California, United States, 92870 | |
Contact: Uyen Kim Hoang 562-343-7181 uyenhoang@wcr8.com | |
Principal Investigator: Albert Lai, MD | |
Sub-Investigator: Michael Gazzaniga, MD | |
United States, Florida | |
Advanced Urology Institute | Recruiting |
Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, 32114 | |
Contact: Jonelle Horsley 386-239-8500 jonelle.horsley@auihealth.com | |
Contact: Jorge Rodriguez 386-239-8500 jorge.rodriguez@auihealth.com | |
Principal Investigator: Matthew Merrell, MD | |
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute | Withdrawn |
Miami, Florida, United States, 33176 | |
Florida Urology Partners | Recruiting |
Tampa, Florida, United States, 33615 | |
Contact: Linda Seibert 239-223-4488 linda@gulfcoastcta.com | |
Principal Investigator: Osvaldo Padron | |
United States, Michigan | |
William Beaumont Hospital | Recruiting |
Royal Oak, Michigan, United States, 48073 | |
Contact: Amanda Schonhoff, RN 248-551-1225 Amanda.Schonhoff@beaumont.org | |
Contact: Angela Waldvogel, RN (248) 551 2572 Angela.Waldvogel@beaumont.org | |
Principal Investigator: Larry Sirls, MD | |
Sub-Investigator: Kenneth Peters, MD | |
Sub-Investigator: Jason Gilleran, MD | |
United States, Missouri | |
St. Louis Pain Consultants | Recruiting |
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63017 | |
Contact: Kermit Mclauchlin kermet.mclauchlin@stl-pain.com | |
Contact: Kim Scally 314-315-9905 kimS@metrourology.net | |
Principal Investigator: Anne Christopher, MD | |
Sub-Investigator: Cathy Naughton, MD | |
United States, Nebraska | |
Adult & Pediatric Urology, P.C. | Recruiting |
Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 10707 | |
Contact: Amy Nelson 402-399-7892 Anelson@adultpediatricuro.com | |
Principal Investigator: Rebecca McCrery, MD | |
United States, New York | |
Urology - Iris Cantor Men's Health Center | Recruiting |
New York, New York, United States, 10065 | |
Contact: Ahra Cho 646-962-9395 ahc4001@med.cornell.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Bilal Chughtai, MD | |
Stony Brook University Medical Center | Recruiting |
Stony Brook, New York, United States, 11794 | |
Contact: Margaret Brand 631-813-0540 Margaret.brand@stonybrookmedicine.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Jason Kim, MD | |
United States, Ohio | |
Integrated Pain Specialists | Recruiting |
Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43240 | |
Contact: Melissa Simons 614-383-6450 ext 5 msimons.ips@gmail.com | |
Contact: Rachel Garey 614-264-7070 rgarey@centralohiourology.com | |
Principal Investigator: Gladstone McDowell, MD | |
Sub-Investigator: Jeffrey Carey, MD | |
United States, Oklahoma | |
University of Oklahoma health Sciences Center | Active, not recruiting |
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73104 | |
United States, Texas | |
UT Southwestern Medical Center | Recruiting |
Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390 | |
Contact: Allison Beaver 214-645-8787 Allison.Beaver@UTSouthwestern.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Gary Lemack, MD |
Responsible Party: | Uro Medical Corporation |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT02577302 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
30-00137 |
First Posted: | October 16, 2015 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | July 21, 2022 |
Last Verified: | July 2022 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | upon study completion |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | Yes |
Device Product Not Approved or Cleared by U.S. FDA: | Yes |
Chronic Tibial nerve stimulation Wireless PNS neuromodulation |
Urinary Incontinence Urinary Incontinence, Urge Urination Disorders Urologic Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases |
Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Urogenital Diseases Male Urogenital Diseases Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Urological Manifestations |