EXERCISING APPARATUS

• US 3,752,150 A
• Filed: 08/30/1971
• Issued: 08/14/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John P. Harris
• Original Assignee: John P. Harris
• Inventors: Harris, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US05/176,170
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 128/25,64,79,344,401
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/00 Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis vaccination prophylaxis, vaccination therapy A61B17/20; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination menstruation tables G06C3/00; Throat striking implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/227 of constricting muscles, i.e. sphincters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4306 for evaluating the female reproductive systems, e.g. gynaecological evaluations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/20 for vaginal muscles or other sphincter-type muscles

Abstract

An elongated resilient core member is surrounded by an oversize flexible covering having one open end through which a portion of the core extends. The covering adjacent the opening is sealed to the core. A first tubing attached to the core and extending from the covering provides a supply of pressurized liquid through a channel in the core to the covering interior for filling and distending the same, spacing it from the core at all points except where sealed. A second tubing provides communication between the contained liquid and an externally located pressure measuring device, e.g., a manometer. In use, the core and liquidfilled covering are inserted full depth into the vagina and the individual then trys to produce controlled contraction of the vaginal musculature, noting the degree of success on the pressure measuring device.

Claims

1. Apparatus for exercising the vaginal wall muscles and muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, comprising:

an elongated hollow resilient core;

a flexible expandable bag-like member surronding said core and sealed thereto, said member being of such dimensions that when distended, it forms an elongated cylindrical member of substantially uniform cross-sectional dimensions and it is spaced from said core at all places except where sealed;

a supply of pressurized liquid in said bag-like member;

a first tubing extending from the shank of said core and communicating with the liquid in said member;

pressure measuring means connected to said tubing;

said core and bag-like member filled with liquid adapted to be inserted into the vagina as a unit whereby exertion of the muscles defining the vagina wall and pelvic diaphragm are transmitted through the bag-like member and the liquid contained therein and measured by said measuring means.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which the length of said core and bag-like member are greater than that of the vagina, said externally extending portions being adapted to be held in the hand of the user.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said bag-like member when inserted is spaced from the core by pressurized liquid at its inner end and along all of the sides thereof such that the measuring means can detect pressures exerted both laterally and longitudinally of said apparatus.

4. Apparatus for exercising the pelvic diaphragm and vagina walls, comprising:

an elongated member having relatively fixed longitudinal dimensions having a shank portion and an inner end portion with a passageway extending completely therethrough and terminating in the end portion in an opening;

an expandable covering received over said elongated member;

means sealing portions of said covering to said member shank portion so that the covering forms a liguid-tight bag thereover;

a first tubing received within the passageway of said member and providing communication to the interior of said covering;

means connected to the external end of said first tubing for providing a supply of pressurized liquid to the covering interior;

a second tubing having one end portion extending through said member for open communication with the contained supply of liquid; and

a manometer connected to the outer end of said second tubing whereby muscular exertions on the liquid-filled covering are transferred to said manometer and measured.

5. Apparatus for exercising the pelvic diaphragm and vagina walls, comprising:

an elongated member having relatively fixed longitudinal dimensions;

an expandable covering received over said elongated member;

means sealing portions of said covering to said member so that the covering forms a liquid-tight bag;

a first tubing received within said member and providing communication to the interior of said covering;

means connected to the external end of said first tubing for providing a supply of pressurized liquid to the covering interior, maintaining the covering in a spaced condition at all points about said member;

said covering being expanded to a substantially equal amount transversely of the long dimension, a transverse section thereof being substantially circular;

a second tubing having one end portion extending through said member for open communication with the contained supply of liquid; and

a manometer connected to the outer end of said second tubing whereby muscular exertions on the liquid-filled covering are transferred to said manometer and measured.

6. Appatatus as in claim 5, in which the length of said elongated member and expanded covering filled with liquid is greater than that of the vagina.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5, in which said elongated member includes a cavity running the complete length thereof, the end of said member received in said expandable covering terminating in an enlarged head with cocical outer wall surfaces.

8. Appatatus for exercising the muscles of the vaginal wall and pelvic diaphragm, comprising:

an elongated resilient core having a lontitudinally extending passage completely therethrough;

an elastic bag-like member surrounding said core and having portions sealed thereto;

a first tubing extending from the core and communicating with the interior of said member;

a source of supply of liquid;

hand operated pump means interconnecting the source of supply of liquid and said first tubing;

second tubing extending from said core and communicating with the liquid in said member;

pressure measuring means connected to said second tubing;

said core and bag-like member filled with liquid forming a unit of substantially constant cross-sectional circular dimensions except at the extremity thereof for being inserted into the vagina such that exertion of the muscles defining the vagina wall and pelvic diaphragm are transmitted through the liquid for measuring by said pressure measuring means.

9. Apparatus for exercising the pelvic diaphragm and vagina walls, comprising:

an elongated member having relatively fixed longitudinal dimensions;

an expandable covering received over said elongated member;

means sealing portions of said covering to said member so that the covering forms a liquid-tight bag thereabout;

a first tubing received within said member and providing communication to the interior of said covering;

means connected to the external end of said firSt tubing for providing a supply of pressurized liquid to the covering interior, expanding said covering into cylindrical shape of substantially uniform cross-section and spaced from said member at all points except where sealed;

a second tubing having one end portion extending through said member for open communication with the contained supply of liquid;

a manometer connected to the outer end of said second tubing whereby muscular exertions on the liquid-filled covering are transferred to said manometer and measured; and

a third tubing extending through said sealing means with one end within the covering and the other end lying outwardly of said covering.