MEDICAL PROBE

• US 20090270963A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novuqare Pelvic Health B.V.
• Original Assignee: Publiekrechtelijke Rechtspersoon Academisch Ziekenhuis Leiden H.O.D.N. Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
• Inventors: Voorham- Van Der Zalm, Pieternella Johanna, Ouwerkerk, Theodorus Johannes, Pelger, Robertus Coenraad Maria
• Granted Patent: US 8,983,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/138
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/391 of genito-urinary organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/395 Details of stimulation, e.g. nerve stimulation to elicit EMG response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/00 Massage for the genitals; Devices for improving sexual intercourse penis erection devices A61F5/41; vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/44 Having substantially cylindrical shape, e.g. dildos
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 21/00 Massage devices for cavities of the body , e.g. nose, ears and anus for the genitals A61H19/00; Vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/085 Crotch
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/086 Buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/605 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0509 Stomach and intestinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0512 Anal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/20 for vaginal muscles or other sphincter-type muscles

Abstract

A probe system for electro-stimulation and bio-feedback training of muscles in the pelvic floor region, in particular for pelvic floor physiotherapy and diagnosis, includes a probe having a probe body which is insertable into a vagina or a rectum, and a plurality of electrodes which are positioned at several locations along the length and around the circumference on the outer surface of the probe, the probe system further includes a control unit, operationally coupled to the probe, adapted for receiving EMG signals from each of the electrodes and for processing each of the signals for mapping the response of the muscles in the pelvic floor region.

Claims

1. Probe system for electro-stimulation and bio-feedback training of muscles in the pelvic floor region, in particular for pelvic floor physiotherapy and diagnosis, said probe system comprises a probe having a probe body which is insertable into a vagina or a rectum, and a plurality of electrodes which are positioned at several locations along the length and around the circumference on the outer surface of said probe, said probe system further comprises a control unit, operationally coupled to said probe, adapted for receiving EMG signals from each of said electrodes and for processing each of said signals for mapping the response of the muscles in the pelvic floor region.

2. The probe system of claim 1, wherein said electrodes comprise patch-shaped electrodes.

3. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are located on said outer surface in a regular matrix pattern.

4. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are grouped in several rings on said surface around said probe.

5. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are grouped in several longitudinal rows on said surface of said probe.

6. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are grouped in several longitudinal rows on said surface of said probe and wherein each row of electrodes is separately usable.

7. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are grouped in several rings on said surface around said probe and wherein each ring of electrodes is separately usable.

8. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are unipolar electrodes for detecting EMG unipolar signals and applying at least one electrical signal to the muscular layer

9. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes have an stainless steel electrode surface.

10. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said probe body mainly comprises non-conductive material, preferably synthetic material which is bio-compatible.

11. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said probe is substantially rod shaped, preferably said probe substantially is a rigid rod.

12. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said probe has a rounded tip.

13. The probe system according to claim 1, wherein said electrodes are grouped into at least 6 groups of at least 4 electrodes each.

14. The probe according to claim 1, wherein each electrode is wire-coupled to said control unit.

15. The probe according to claim 14, wherein said wires exit said probe at the rear side of said probe.

16. The probe according to claim 1, wherein said the location of each electrode on said probe is stored in said control unit.

17. The probe according to claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises a measurement unit for obtaining measurement signals from said electrodes.

18. The probe according to claim 17, wherein said measurement unit is adapted for measuring signals from each electrode separately.

19. The probe according to claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises an activation unit for applying electrical signals on said electrodes for influencing selected muscles, nerves, or part of said selected muscles or nerves, in said pelvic floor region.

20. The probe according to claim 19, wherein said activation unit is adapted for applying electric signals based upon measurement signals from said measurement unit.

21. The probe according to claim 1, wherein said probe further comprises a stop surface for setting the insertion depth of the probe, in particular a stop surface which has an adjustable position on the probe.

22. The probe of claim 21, wherein said probe further comprises a fixation means for fixing its inserted position in use, in particular said probe comprises a disk which is slidable over the probe along its rotational axis.

23. A method for electro-stimulation and bio-feedback training of muscles in the pelvic floor region, in particular for pelvic floor physiotherapy and diagnosis, using the probe system according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

determining electric signals from muscles or nerves in the pelvic floor region using said electrodes, and

based upon said determined electric signals, applying electric signals to said electrodes for causing contraction en relaxation of muscles of part of these muscles in the pelvic floor region.

24. The method according to claim 23, comprising the steps of:

measuring electric signals from muscles or nerves in the pelvic floor region using said electrodes;

determining muscular tension of said muscles in the pelvic floor region from said electric signals, and

based upon said calculated muscular tension, applying electric signals to said electrodes for causing contraction and/or relaxation of selected muscles or part of said muscles in said pelvic floor region.

25. A computer program product which, when working on a control unit for controlling the probe system according to claim 1, causes said control unit to perform the step of:

reading electric signals from each of said electrodes;

calculate muscular tension in muscles in said pelvic floor region from said electric signal;

calculate electric signals to be applied to each electrode;

control said probe for applying said calculated electric signals to said electrodes.