Device for exercising vaginal muscles

• US 4,768,522 A
• Filed: 02/24/1987
• Issued: 09/06/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exta, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Exta, Inc.
• Inventors: Shapiro, Seymour W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bender, David J.
• Application Number:
  US07/017,815
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 272/93, 272/119, 272/135, 128/778, 128/344, 128/25 R, 128/79, 604/96, 73/379
• US Class Current: 600/591
• 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 improved device for use in exercising vaginal muscles, embodying a cuffed rod for insertion into the vagina, the cuff being normally yieldingly inflated for affording a yielding resistive force, while being collapsible to the diameter of the rod.

Claims

1. A 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 in said cover,

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 said means comprising a passageway extending longitudinally of said elongated rod from said proximal end and communicating with said cover to permit the passage of air therethrough for

(1) creating a vacuum therein and thereby move said cover inwardly from said expanded position to a collapsed 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 cover to move outwardly toward said expanded position under urging of said body portion into position to

(a) yieldingly engage the walls of such portion and said cuff are disposed, and

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

f. said elongated rod having a recessed diameter portion which is surrounded by said flexible tubular cover and said resilient body portion of said cuff for receiving said resilient body portion and said cover therein when the vacuum moves the cover and urges said body portion to a collapsed position, and

g. said passageway in said elongated rod having a reinforcing means positioned and held in said proximal portion of said passageway.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reinforcing means is a spring member.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, and in which

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

4. A device in accordance with claim 3, and in which

a. said body portion has interstices spread therethrough.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, and in which

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

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, and in which

a. said elastic mass comprises polyurethane foam rubber, and

b. said cover comprises medical grade silicone.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, and which includes

a. means for closing said passageway after creating a vacuum on said cover whereby said cover is moved to said collapsed position for thereby holding said vacuum in said cover during insertion of said distal end portion and said cuff into said vagina.

8. A device in accordance with claim 7, 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.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1 and which includes

a. a volume displacement indicator means connected to said passageway for measuring the air flow escaping from said cuff when said cover is collapsed by said contraction of said vaginal muscles.

10. A device in accordance with claim 1, and in which said rod is flexible and pliable.