APPARATUS FOR ELECTROTHERAPY OF THE PUBOCOCCYGEUS

• US 3,640,284 A
• Filed: 01/05/1970
• Issued: 02/08/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip A De Langis
• Original Assignee: Philip A De Langis
• Inventors: De Langis, Philip A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chamblee, Hugh R.
• Application Number:
  US05/000,762
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2,24.1,24.4,407,408,422
• US Class Current: 607/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1073 Measuring volume, e.g. of limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4337 of the vagina
• 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: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

Apparatus for electrotherapy of the pubococcygeus muscle group of a female. The apparatus includes an electrode member contoured for insertion into the vagina. Spaced electrodes on the member are supplied with a carrier signal comprising shaped, bipolar pulses in the frequency range of from 20 Hz. to 8 kHz., the signal being carrier modulated at a rate of between 0.2 Hz. and 10 Hz. The bipolar pulses exercise striated muscle, while the low-frequency modulation contracts smooth muscle and prevents continuous tetany. A condom-type vaginometer permits measurement of vaginal volume and of vaginal pressure resulting from contraction of pubococcygeus muscles.

Claims

1. Apparatus for electrotherapy including, a pair of spaced electrodes;

means developing a carrier wave which is substantially a sine wave having a frequency within the range of 150 Hz. to 1 kHz., means amplitude modulating said carrier wave with a modulating signal having a frequency substantially less than said carrier frequency and producing a series of recurrent bipolar pulses with each of said pulses having a duration established by said modulating signal and consisting of variations in its amplitude at said carrier wave frequency from a maximum positive value, to a zero value to a maximum negative value, to a zero value to a maximum positive value, and so forth; and

means connected to said amplitude modulating means and continuously modifying said maximum positive values and said maximum minimum values such that they become progressively larger at a slower rate during initial development of each of said pulses than during subsequent development such that each of said bipolar pulses is defined by a slowly rising portion followed by a portion of substantially constant amplitude; and

means applying said bipolar pulses to said electrodes.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which modulating frequency is in the range of 150 Hz. to 1 kHz.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said modulating frequency is within the range of 0.5 Hz. to 1 kHz.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for limiting the current flow to said electrodes to a value which does not exceed 250 milliamperes.