Does this sound familiar?

When urgent bladder leaks are always on your mind, it’s harder to focus on what matters most — time with family and friends, travel, or simply enjoying everyday life. Learning about advanced UUI treatment could be the first step toward less worry and getting back to the moments that matter most.

Urge urinary incontinence symptoms may include:

  • A sudden and intense urge to urinate
  • Leaking before reaching the bathroom
  • Frequent leaks after drinking small amounts of liquid or when hearing or touching running water

These may be signs of urge urinary incontinence, a condition that affects nearly 16 million people in the United States.1,2 While UUI is common, it doesn’t have to define your daily life. You are not alone. For more than 25 years, Medtronic has helped people understand bladder control treatment options and access advanced therapies.

Take the first step

See if the Altaviva™ system might be right for you.

This questionnaire is intended for U.S.-based respondents only

FAQ: Understanding UUI and treatment options

UUI is a bladder control condition that can cause a sudden, intense urge to urinate that is difficult to control.3 This may lead to involuntary leakage and frequent, disruptive trips to the bathroom.

Your bladder and brain work together to control urination. When communication between them is disrupted, your bladder may send urgent signals that are difficult to control.4,5

While bladder changes may become more common with age, the feeling of frequent urgency and urine leakage is not something you simply have to accept. There are treatment options that may help.

If you find yourself planning your day around your bladder instead of living your life, or worrying constantly about the nearest bathroom, it may be time to talk with a healthcare provider. Treatment may help reduce urgent leaks that affect your daily activities, confidence, and routines.

Many people start with lifestyle changes, medications, protective pads or underwear, but these may not work for everyone. For people whose symptoms persist, advanced therapies such as the Altaviva™ implant may be an option.

The Altaviva implant is an advanced treatment for urge urinary incontinence. It’s designed to stimulate the tibial nerve and help improve communication between the bladder and brain,6,7 which may help reduce urgency with leaks.8,9
Find out if it might be right for you.

What makes the Altaviva™ implant different?

Unlike medications or injections, the Altaviva™ implant is a long-term therapy†,10 that targets the tibial nerve that helps control normal bladder function.6,7 After a single procedure, the system automatically delivers treatment so you can focus on living your life.

Take the first step

†Based on clinical and bench testing for expected therapy settings. 

In addition to risks related to surgery, complications can include pain at the implant site, lower leg pain, infection, wound complications, nerve injury, movement of the implant, undesirable change in bowel or bladder function, uncomfortable or unintended stimulation sensations, loss of therapeutic effect, discomfort when recharging, or technical or device problems. Please see Important Safety Information for more details. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.

Living with UUI: One patient’s story  

Hear about Anthony’s experience with advanced UUI treatment. 

See if it may be right for you


Individual results may vary. Talk to your doctor to see if the Altaviva™ system is right for you.

An advanced treatment that fits your life

Foot icon

Single procedure

The Altaviva™ implant for urge urinary incontinence is placed near the ankle during a single procedure11 that uses local anesthesia.12

Battery icon

Long-lasting therapy

Designed to provide up to 15 years of therapy,‡,8 the device requires 1-2 recharges per year under standard settings,13 and you can walk away the same day with therapy activated.14

Hand cross icon

Clinical outcomes

In a pivotal clinical trial, after 12 months of therapy, 80% of patients reported their condition improved§,8,9 and 61% had a 50% or greater reduction in UUI episodes.8,9

‡ Based on clinical and bench testing for expected therapy settings. 
§ As assessed by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI I).

Adverse events related to the device, procedure, and/or therapy occurred in 20% of implanted subjects through 12-month follow-up. The most common types of related AEs were implant-related infections at the implant site (7%) and implant site pain (3%).

More than 475,000 people have been treated with Medtronic bladder and bowel control therapies

Learn about other advanced treatments

  1. Stewart WF, Van Rooyen JB, Cundiff GW, et al. Prevalence and burden of overactive bladder in the United States. World J Urol. 2003;20(6):327-336.
  2. US Census Bureau 2020. US adult and under-age-18 populations: 2020 census. https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/adult-and-under-the-age-of-18-populations-2020-census.html. Accessed January 31, 2025.
  3. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, et al. The standardisation of terminology of lower urinary tract function: Report from the standardisation sub‐committee of the International Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn. 2002;21(2):167-178.
  4. Chancellor MB, Chartier-Kastler EJ. Principles of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for the treatment of bladder and urethral sphincter dysfunctions. Neuromod. 2000;3(1):15-26.
  5. Leng WW, Chancellor MB. How sacral nerve stimulation neuromodulation works. Urol Clin North Am. 2005;32:11-18.
  6. Li X, Li X, Liao L. Mechanism of action of tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Neuromod. 2023;27:256-266.
  7. Bhide AA, Tailor V, Fernando R, Vik K, Digesu GA. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladder - techniques and efficacy. Int Urogynecol J. 2020;31:865-70.
  8. Appendix B: Clinical Study Summary. M028929C001 RevC - Clinician Therapy and Programming Guide Altaviva™ Model P7850N.
  9. Lee UJ, Xavier K, Carey J, et al. Implantable tibial neuromodulation therapy improves symptoms of urge urinary incontinence from the TITAN 2 pivotal study. J Urol. 2026;215(6):702-712.
  10. M028929C001 RevC - Clinician Therapy and Programming Guide Altaviva™ Model P7850N.
  11. Cameron AP, Chung DE, Dielubanza EJ et al. The AUA/SUFU guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder (2024). J Urol. 2024;212:11-20.
  12. M028930C001 RevC - Altaviva™ Model P7850N Neurostimulator Implant Manual.
  13. Medtronic data on file: T-Entry System – Recharge Performance Design Verification Test Report.
  14. M028930C001 RevC - Altaviva™ Model P7850N Neurostimulator Implant Manual.