A new device called a continuous lidocaine-releasing intravesical system (LiRIS), which is folded into a pretzel shape in the bladder and releases therapeutic amounts of the drug into urine over a period of two weeks, provided relief to 16 women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).

Cytoscopic examinations showed improvement on day 14 (day of removal) compared with day 1, with an overall responder rate of 64% on day 14 as well as two weeks later, according to a report in Science Translational Medicine 2012;4:143ra100).