Method for diagnosing and testing/training pelvic floor musculature

• US 6,059,740 A
• Filed: 05/13/1998
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gunnar Leivseth, Ole Olsen
• Original Assignee: Gunnar Leivseth, Ole Olsen
• Inventors: Olsen, Ole, Leivseth, Gunnar
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US09/078,106
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 600/591, 600/587
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/227 of constricting muscles, i.e. sphincters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/20 for vaginal muscles or other sphincter-type muscles

Abstract

A measurement and training apparatus to be inserted in the vagina or rectum for diagnostic and pelvic musculature training purposes, comprises, two axially split halves of a substantially cylindrical body, kept at an adjustable distance from each other. A strain gauge measures a force perpendicular to the axis of the apparatus. The measurement is executed in a flexural mode where a forward end of one of the halves is bent toward the other half with a small deflection.

Claims

1. An apparatus to be inserted in the vagina or rectum to measure passive and active characteristics of the pelvic floor comprising:

a first semi-round rod;

a second semi-round rod; and

a means for coupling the first semi-round rod in parallel to the second semi-round rod, wherein said apparatus has a substantially round profile, the first semi-round rod and the second semi-round rod define an opening with a variable diameter, and further wherein a force corresponding to the passive and active characteristics of the pelvic floor is measured perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus by determining a change in the variable diameter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the variable diameter is adjustable so as to provide individual adaptation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for coupling the first semi-round rod in parallel to the second semi-round rod is a calibrating plate, and the variable diameter of the apparatus can be adapted by utilizing different size calibrating plates thereon.