Vaginal myograph method and apparatus

• US 4,396,019 A
• Filed: 06/08/1981
• Issued: 08/02/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John D. Perry Jr
• Original Assignee: John D. Perry Jr
• Inventors: Perry, John D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US06/271,532
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 128/733, 128/778, 128/642
• US Class Current: 600/546
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0215 Silver or silver chloride containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/391 of genito-urinary organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4337 of the vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6853 with a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0512 Anal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes

Abstract

Apparatus and method for the measurement of and assistance in the treatment of the pubococcygeus muscle of the human using myographic biofeedback. A single probe with a plurality of separated noble metal smooth-faced sensing electrodes detects minute electrical pulses in the range of zero to twenty-five microvolts (RMS). The impulses are transmitted through connecting cables to electronic circuits which amplify the impulses and transform them into visual, auditory, or tactile signals which are presented to the patient, as a biofeedback signal, in real time. The apparatus and method is used to diagnose, train and exercise the pubococcygeus muscle under conscious control, and is useful in the treatment of several pathological conditions of the female pelvic organs, including sexual inadequacy, and in research concerning human sexual response.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the physiological monitoring of the pubococcygeus muscle of the patient-subject through the vaginal or rectal wall of said patient-subject comprising:

an electromyography probe for contacting the wall of the vagina or rectum of a patient-subject;

said probe including an electrically non-conductive body and at least three electrically conductive electrodes constituting part of the surface of the probe body, one of the said electrodes being a reference electrode, the electrodes being formed of precious metal and each electrode being electrically insulated from the other electrode of the probe, said electrodes detecting electromotive signals at least at three places of said wall, said signals ranging in voltage from zero to twenty-five microvolts and being an alternating frequency in the range of 100-400 Hz., said signals being emitted when the pubococcygeus muscle of the patient-subject is exercised pursuant to a willful attempt of the patient-subject to exercise said muscle;

said electrodes being contact electrodes which are smooth on their external contact surface so as to contact the wall without injury and without externally applied contact lubricant;

said probe carried electrodes being the only active body contact electrodes of the apparatus and said electrodes not injecting electrical signals to the said wall; and

transducer means coupled to said electrodes for amplifying and transforming said electromotive signals into sensory signals which are sensed by the patient-subject for biofeedback development of the pubococcygeus muscle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transducer means includes amplifier means within said probe.

3. The method of biofeedback physiological monitoring and training of the pubococcygeus muscle of the patient-subject comprising:

inserting an electromyography probe into contact with the wall of the vagina or rectum of a patient-subject, said probe not being lubricated with electrical contact lubricant;

said probe including an electrically non-conductive body and at least three electrically conductive electrodes constituting part of the external face of the probe body, the electrodes being formed of precious metal and each electrode electrically insulated from the other electrode of the probe;

said electrodes being contact electrodes which are smooth on their external contact surface so as to contact the wall without injury and without externally applied contact lubricant;

using said electrodes to detect electromotive signals at least at three places of said wall, said signals ranging in voltage from zero to twenty-five microvolts and at an alternating current frequency of 100-400 Hz.;

said signals being emitted when the pubococcygeus muscle of the patient-subject is exercised pursuant to a willful attempt of the patient-subject to exercise said muscle;

said probe carried electrodes being the only active body contact electrodes of the apparatus and said electrodes not injecting electrical signals to the said wall; and

amplifying and transforming said electromotive signals into sensory signals using transducer means coupled to said electrodes, said transducer means filtering out electrical noise outside of the said voltage and frequency means, the sensory signals being sensed by the patient-subject for biofeedback development of the pubococcygeus muscle.