Vaginal stimulator for controlling urinary incontinence in women

• US 4,873,996 A
• Filed: 08/18/1988
• Issued: 10/17/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Encore Medical Asset Corporation (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: EMPI Incorporated (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Maurer, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/233,232
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 128/79, 128/830, 128/842-844, 128/883, 128/884, 128/303.17, 128/788, 640/349
• US Class Current: 607/138
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/005 with pressure applied to urethra by an element placed in the vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/02 for use by males A61F6/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body

Abstract

A vaginal stimulator adapted to be inserted into a woman'"'"'s vagina to stimulate and constrict muscles therein and prevent the flow of urine through the urethra. A vaginal plug having a conical tip includes a power supply, pulse generator, on/off switch and intensity control switch mounted therein. Electrodes coupled to the pulse generator are positioned on an exterior surface of the vaginal plug. A disposable condom is unrolled over the vaginal plug and includes conductive elements which are positioned in electrical contact with the electrodes to carry the electric pulses to the muscles.

Claims

1. A condom which can be removably unrolled onto a vaginal plug of the type having electrodes on an exterior surface of the plug, wherein the condom is collapsible, fabricated of stretchable, pliable and impermeable material, and includes at least one pair of spaced-apart conductive elements positioned so as to be in electrical contact with the electrodes when the condom is unrolled onto the plug.

2. The condom of claim 1 wherein the conductive elements include a pair of annular conductive elements.

3. The condom of claim 1 wherein the conductive elements include a pair of linear conductive elements oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the condom.

4. The condom of claim 1 wherein the conductive elements are conductive polymer elements.