Device for strengthening the vaginal muscles

• US 4,653,514 A
• Filed: 05/29/1984
• Issued: 03/31/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UroQuest Medical Corp. (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA)
• Original Assignee: Bivona Incorporated
• Inventors: Shapiro, Seymour W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, THEATRICE
• Application Number:
  US06/615,052
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 128/778, 128/344, 128/207.15, 128/246, 128/349 B, 128/DIG. 21, 128/25 R, 128/79, 128/341, 128/748, 128/348.1, 128/356, 272/93, 272/135, 604/96
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/227 of constricting muscles, i.e. sphincters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• 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

Device for use in exercising the vaginal muscles, embodying a cuffed rod for insertion into the vagina, the cuff being normally yieldingly inflated for affording a yielding resistive force, but being collapsible for insertion into the vagina. A volume displacement indicator is operatively connected to the cuff for measuring the amount of air flow from within the cuff resulting from the collapse of the cuff due to the contraction of the vaginal muscles.

Claims

1. A resistive exercise device for exercising the vaginal muscles comprising

a. an elongated rod having

(1) a closed distal end portion for insertion into the vagina of a female, and

(2) a proximal end portion for manually retaining said distal end portion in said vagina,

b. a cuff mounted on said distal end portion

c. said cuff comprising

(1) a flexible tubular cover

(a) disposed on said elongated rod in surrounding relation thereto, and

(b) having its ends secured to the outer surface of said rod, and

(2) a resilient body portion mounted between said cover and said rod at said distal end,

d. said body portion having normally an expanded position, wherein it is effective to hold a portion of said cover outwardly away from said rod under atmospheric conditions,

e. means operatively connected to said cover for

(1) creating a vacuum therein and thereby move said cover inwardly from said expanded position for movement of said distal end portion and said cuff into said vagina, and

(2) releasing such a vacuum in said cover to thereby permit said body portion of said cuff to expand outwardly to move said cover outwardly toward said expanded position to

(a) yieldinly engage the walls of the vagina in which said distal end portion and said cuff are disposed to provide a minimal resistive force against the walls of the vagina, and

(b) to be collapsed inwardly by said walls, against the urging of said resilient body portion, upon contraction of the vaginal muscles by said female,

f. said means connected to said cover comprises a passageway extending longitudinally of said rod from said proximal end into said cover for passage of air therethrough during said creation and release of said vacuum, and

g. a volume displacement indicator means operatively connected to said cover for measuring the amount of air flow from within the cuff resulting from the force with which said cover is collapsed by said contraction of said vaginal muscles.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, and in which

a. said body portion has inerstices spread therethrough.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, and in which

a. said body portion comprises a spongelike elastic mass mounted in said cover for yieldingly urging the latter outwardly.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, and in which

a. said elastic means comprises polyurethane foam rubber, and

b. said cover comprises medical grade silicone.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, and which includes

a. means for closing said passageway for thereby holding said vacuum in said cover during insertion of said distal end portion and said cuff into said vagina.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, and in which

a. said means for closing said passageway comprises a plug attached to said proximal end and movable into and out of said passageway.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, and which said rod is flexible and pliable.