La Fundació Puigvert has performed the first implant in Spain of the new sacral neuromodulation system Axonics F15™, developed by Boston Scientific, an innovation aimed at the treatment of overactive bladder and other urinary dysfunctions. The device, which has had CE marking since November 2025, represents a new step forward in the treatment of these disorders thanks to its long lifespan, clinical efficacy, the ability to customize treatment with greater precision, and its minimally invasive nature.
The first procedure was led by Dr. Carlos Errando, head of the Functional and Female Urology Unit at Fundació Puigvert, consolidating Fundació Puigvert as one of the reference hospitals in the incorporation of advanced technologies in functional urology.
A common disease that affects quality of life
Overactive bladder affects nearly 50 million people in Europe. It is characterized by a sudden, frequent, and difficult-to-control urge to urinate that, in many cases, is accompanied by involuntary loss of urine. This situation can significantly limit the social, work, and personal life of those who suffer from it.
In most cases, treatment begins with conservative measures, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacological treatment. When these options are insufficient, sacral neuromodulation constitutes an effective therapeutic alternative supported by scientific evidence.
Reprogramming communication between the brain and the bladder
Sacral neuromodulation acts on the sacral nerves, responsible for communication between the bladder, pelvic floor, and brain. In people with overactive bladder, these nerve signals can become altered, causing an urgent need to urinate even when the bladder is not full.
The Axonics F15™ system consists of a small device implanted under the skin (usually in the gluteal area), which sends gentle electrical impulses to the sacral nerves to help restore this communication and regain control of urinary function.
“A simple way to understand it is to imagine a smoke detector that goes off before there is smoke, causing the person to rush when it wouldn’t be necessary. The neuromodulator helps recalibrate this system so that the bladder only sends the signal when it truly corresponds,” explains Dr. Carlos Errando.
More autonomy for the patient and fewer reinterventions
One of the main innovations of Axonics F15™ is that it incorporates the sacral neuromodulation system without recharging, with the longest expected lifespan currently available, between 10 and 20 years, which reduces the need for interventions every 5-7 years to replace the battery.
The new device also allows for greater precision in customizing each treatment. Although the neuromodulator has multiple stimulation settings, the system automatically selects the four most suitable options for each patient, based on the analysis of their clinical data with information obtained from previous clinical studies.
Available clinical studies show that patients treated with this technology maintain a significant reduction in symptoms and a high degree of satisfaction after two years of follow-up.
“The incorporation of this technology represents a new step forward in the treatment of urinary dysfunctions. Having a device without recharging and with such a prolonged lifespan allows us to offer our patients an effective, safe solution with a lower need for reinterventions over time,” emphasizes Dr. Carlos Errando.
With this first implant in Spain, Fundació Puigvert reinforces its leadership in functional urology and its commitment to the incorporation of innovative technologies based on scientific evidence that contribute to improving the quality of life of people with lower urinary tract pathologies.
The incorporation of the Axonics F15™ system expands the therapeutic options available for patients with overactive bladder who have not achieved a satisfactory response to conventional treatments, and consolidates Fundació Puigvert as a reference center in functional surgery and neuromodulation.
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