Method for exercising a patient's anal canal

• US 5,005,586 A
• Filed: 04/14/1989
• Issued: 04/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lahr, Christopher J.
• Original Assignee: Lahr, Christopher J.
• Inventors: Lahr, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAY, RANDY CITRIN
• Application Number:
  US07/337,200
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 128/344, 128/348.1, 128/774, 128/778, 128/782, 128/898, 606/192, 606/197, 604/96-103
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/487 involving fluoroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0295 with inflatable balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/20 for vaginal muscles or other sphincter-type muscles

Abstract

A sphincterogram device used with radiographic equipment for measuring a patient'"'"'s anal canal length, anal canal pressure, anorectal angle, and fatigability of the anal musculature. The sphincterogram device comprises an elongated expandable balloon having a flexible tubular catheter disposed substantially therein. The balloon is adapted for insertion into the patient'"'"'s anal canal. The catheter has a plurality of openings spaced along a substantial portion of its length for communicating between the interior of the balloon and the interior of the catheter. The sphincterogram device also includes at least one fluid supply reservoir and at least one fluid flow line interconnecting the reservoir and the balloon for flow of fluid therebetween. The fluid supply reservoir is adapted for adjusting fluid pressure therein and for adjusting fluid pressure and volume in the catheter and balloon, and calibrations are provided for determining fluid pressure within the balloon. Additional aspects of this invention include a two reservoir system having two one way valves for exercising an anal sphincter; a method for measuring anal canal length, anal canal pressure, anorectal angle, and fatigability of the anal musculature; and a method for exercising the anal sphincter.

Claims

1. A method for exercising a patient'"'"'s anal canal, comprising the following steps:

(a) inserting first and second balloons in the patient'"'"'s relaxed anal canal;

(b) at least partially filling each balloon with fluid to preselected pressures;

(c) connecting the first balloon to a first pressure measuring device to measure the pressure in the first balloon and connecting the second balloon to a second pressure measuring device to measure the pressure in the second balloon; and

(d) repeatedly contracting the anal sphincter against the first balloon whereby the pressure measured by the first pressure measuring device is increased and relaxing the anal sphincter whereby the pressure measured by the first pressure measuring device is decreased, and repeatedly contracting the abdominal muscles whereby the pressure measured by the second pressure measuring device is increased and relaxing the abdominal muscles whereby the pressure measured by the second pressure measuring device is decreased.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying the pressures measured by the first and second pressure measuring devices so that the patient can learn to improve anal sphincter control and abdominal muscle control.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first pressure measuring device is a manometer displaying the measured pressure to the patient as a fluid level.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second pressure measuring device is an aneroid pressure measuring device.