. >> reporter: bucky peterson lovesplenty of trails and good d vista. >> reporter: he faced challengesdergoing surgery for prostitute cancer. it was the need to go to the bathroom many times a day. he turned to his doctors at marin general who recommended an i implantable device. the implant is an upgraded version of an existing technology. i'm ploying a wire lead it transmits a signal to nerves involved with bladder function as seen on this animation. patients control the effect with a hand held device but the doctor says older technology had a significant draw back. >> in the past, the batteries would last about an average about four and a half years and then you have to go to the operating room. >> reporter: dr. khan says the new system em ploploys an exter charger that keeps it functioning without repeated surgeries. >> like a cell phone. you can put up a little charging pad, stick it on your skin and it charges it up. >> reporter: he says the implant procedure takes roughly an hour and a haflf. for bucky peterson said it's effective enough for 18 holes of golf. >> i played with th