Apparatus and method for qualitative assessment of pelvic floor muscular strength

• US 20040106879A1
• Filed: 11/29/2002
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guillermo H. Davila
• Original Assignee: Guillermo H. Davila
• Inventors: Davila, Guillermo H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,141,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/227 of constricting muscles, i.e. sphincters

Abstract

An apparatus and method for qualitative assessment of pelvic floor muscular strength includes inserting a spherical intracavitary device into vagina or anus above the level of the levator plate and measuring a force necessary to remove the inserted device from the vagina or anus. A diagnostic set for qualitative assessment of pelvic. floor muscular strength, includes at least one spherical intracavitary device and a force gauge. The device and force gauge can be attached together after insertion of the device into the vagina or anus.

Claims

1. A device for qualitative assessment of pelvic floor muscular strength, comprising

a force gauge

a spherical intracavitary device and

a linker to connect the spherical device to the force gauge to measure the force necessary to remove the spherical device form the vagina or anus.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the spherical device has a diameter of about 20 mm to 44 mm.

3. A method for qualitative assessment of pelvic floor muscular strength comprises the steps of:

inserting a spherical intracavitary device into vagina or anus above the level of the levator plate; and

measuring a force necessary to remove said inserted device from said vagina or anus.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said device is inserted into said vagina or anus in the lithotomy position or on patient'"'"'s side.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said force is measured in the relaxation state of pelvic floor muscles.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said force is measured during maximum contraction of pelvic floor muscles.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein said force is measured both in the relaxation of pelvic floor muscles and during contraction of pelvic floor muscles.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein said spherical intracavitary device is a sphere having a diameter of about 20 mm to 44 mm.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein said measuring is performed by means of a force gauge attachable to said spherical intracavitary device by a linker connected to said device, said linker after said insertion extending besides the vagina or anus to allow attachment of said force gauge.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said linker is a thread having means for attachment of said force gauge.

11. A diagnostic set for qualitative assessment of pelvic floor muscular strength, which set comprises at least one spherical intracavitary device and a force gauge, said device and said force gauge being equipped with a means allowing attaching said force gauge to said device after insertion of said device into vagina or anus.

12. The diagnostic set of claim 11, wherein said spherical intracavitary device is a sphere having a diameter of about 20 mm to 44 mm.

13. The diagnostic set of claim 11, wherein said means for attaching said force gauge is a thread connected to said device.

14. The diagnostic set of claim 11, wherein said means for attaching said force gauge is a non-elastic rod with one end connected to said device and attachable with its second end with said force gauge.

15. The diagnostic set of claim 11, wherein said rod is attachable with said force gauge by means of a loop or a ring located or said second end.