Device for the development, training and rehabilitation of the pubococcygeal and related perineal musculature of the female

• US 4,515,167 A
• Filed: 02/28/1983
• Issued: 05/07/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hochman, Joel S.
• Original Assignee: Hochman, Joel S.
• Inventors: Hochman, Joel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/470,196
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 128/639, 128/642, 128/736, 128/738, 128/784, 128/788, 128/419 R, 128/421, 128/422, 128/903, 128/778
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0012 Ovulation-period determination for animals A61D17/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0019 based on measurement of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0022 based on measurement of viscosity or visco-elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A completely portable and intravaginally contained myostimulatory device using biofeedback techniques in the treatment of vaginally related disfunctional syndromes is disclosed. The self-contained device is programmable and self-regulated as to frequency, duration and intensity of treatment. It can be worn for long periods of time in complete privacy and enables training in the control, mastery and improvement of strength of the vaginal musculature including the physiological functions associated with the Grafenburg Spot. The device may be equipped with cervical secretion viscosity and temperature-sensing transducers for the prediction of ovulation and the fertility period with a high degree of accuracy.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring CSV and temperature to thereby predict ovulation and fertility periods comprising a casing having a size and shape whereby it can be contained bodily and entirely within the vagina, the casing including metallic parts on the exterior surface thereof adapted to serve as a dipole antenna, an integrated circuit inside of the casing including a signal averager and comparator, said integrated circuit also including an antenna matching network connected with said metallic parts, and CSV and temperature sensing transducers on the casing and adapted to contact the vaginal wall and being electrically connected with said integrated circuit.

2. A stimulating and monitoring device adapted to be entirely contained in the vagina comprising a casing including metallic parts on the exterior surface of the casing serving as electrodes and being adapted to contact the vaginal wall, the metallic parts also serving as a dipole antenna, circuitry including a power source and means to generate electrical stimulation to the vaginal wall through the metallic parts contained in said casing, said circuitry including a programmable timer, a pressure-sensing signal emitting element, a pressure feedback signal processor connecting the programmable timer and the pressure-sensing signal emitting element and an antenna matching network connected to said metallic parts, a manual switch operably mounted on the exterior of the casing and connected to the programmable timer to energize said circuitry, programming switches operably mounted on the exterior of the casing for regulating the intensity, amplitude and time period of stimulation produced by the device and being connected to said programmable timer, a pressure sensing yielding element on the casing adapted to engage the vaginal wall and being connected with said pressure-sensing signal emitting element, and CSV and temperature transducer elements on the casing and being connected with the circuitry, and the circuitry further including a signal averager and comparator for the signals delivered by said transducer elements and being connected to said matching network.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, and the signal averager and comparator comprising a computer, an rf oscillator and said antenna matching network coupled with said metallic parts.

4. A device for the development, training and rehabilitation of the pubococcygeal and related perineal musculature of the female comprising a casing of a size and shape to permit wearing the device bodily and entirely within the vagina, said casing including metallic parts forming electrodes on the exterior surface of the casing and adapted to be in contact with the wall of the vagina whereby the device may deliver electrical stimulation to such wall when energized, electrical circuitry including a power source and means to generate electrical stimulation contained wholly within the casing and including connections with the metallic parts forming said electrodes, programmable switching means on the device whereby said circuitry can be energized for a predetermined period of time followed by automatic de-energizing of the circuitry and termination of the stimulatory cycle of the device, said metallic parts also serving as antenna components, the circuitry further including an audio oscillator and a backscatter modulator coupled with said metallic parts, and a pressure-sensitive transducer coupled between the exterior of the casing and the audio oscillator.