Multi-functional abdominal cramp reducing device and associated method

• US 7,824,437 B1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gina Saunders
• Original Assignee: Gina Saunders
• Inventors: Saunders, Gina
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Roy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, KAITLYN ELIZABETH
• Application Number:
  US11/706,741
• Time in Patent Office: 1,358 Days
• Field of Search: 607/108, 607/112, 219/211
• US Class Current: 607/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0236 for the lower part of the trunk, e.g. panty
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/06 using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A portable electronic device for reducing periodic cramping about an abdominal cavity of a user during a menstrual cycle includes an elastic panty garment, a controller removably attached directly to an outer surface of the panty garment and a plurality of electro-mechanical transducers generating output vibrations, and a plurality of heatable magnetic straps directly coupled to the outer surface of the panty garment. The heatable magnetic straps extend along anterior and posterior faces of the panty garment and are simultaneously actuated to a desired temperature level while the transducers are actuated to an on position. The heatable magnetic straps being freely movable along the outer surface of the panty garment while the transducers are nested within respective pouches.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device for reducing periodic cramping about an abdominal cavity of a user during a menstrual cycle, said electronic device comprising:

a panty garment formed from elastic material and having a plurality of pouches mated directly to an inner surface such that said pouches are invisible from an exterior of said panty garment thereof;

a controller removably attached directly to an outer surface of said panty garment;

a plurality of electro-mechanical transducers generating output vibrations, said transducers being removably seated within said pouches and juxtaposed along a major surface area of said panty garment such that output vibrations are distributed through out anterior and posterior faces of the abdominal cavity; and

a plurality of heatable magnetic straps being directly coupled to said outer surface of said panty garment and extending along an entire perimeter thereof such that said heatable magnetic straps continuously extend about said anterior and posterior faces of said panty garment;

wherein said heatable magnetic straps are simultaneously actuated to a desired temperature level while said transducers are actuated to an on position, said heatable magnetic straps being freely movable along said outer surface of said panty garment while said transducers are nested within said pouches.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said heatable magnetic straps comprise:

an outer membrane formed from elastic material.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein each of said heatable magnetic straps comprises:

first and second isolated chambers formed along an entire longitudinal length thereof;

a flexible magnetic core member removably seated within said first chamber and extending along an entire longitudinal length thereof; and

a deformable resistance wire adjustably positioned within said second chamber;

wherein said resistance wire is adaptable to alternate configurations while nested within said second chamber such that heat is discharged at alternate partial segments within said second chamber without interrupting a continuous magnetic force emanating along an entire longitudinal length of said first chamber.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said panty garment is formed from water impermeable and washable material for repeated use in an aqueous environment.

5. A portable electronic device for reducing periodic cramping about an abdominal cavity of a user during a menstrual cycle, said electronic device comprising:

a panty garment formed from elastic material and having a plurality of pouches mated directly to an inner surface such that said pouches are invisible from an exterior of said panty garment thereof;

a controller removably attached directly to an outer surface of said panty garment;

a plurality of electro-mechanical transducers generating output vibrations, said transducers being removably seated within said pouches and juxtaposed along a major surface area of said panty garment such that output vibrations are distributed through out anterior and posterior faces of the abdominal cavity; and

a plurality of heatable magnetic straps being directly coupled to said outer surface of said panty garment and extending along an entire perimeter thereof such that said heatable magnetic straps continuously extend about said anterior and posterior faces of said panty garment;

wherein said heatable magnetic straps are simultaneously actuated to a desired temperature level while said transducers are actuated to an on position, said heatable magnetic straps being freely movable along said outer surface of said panty garment while said transducers are nested within said pouches;

wherein said controller comprises;

a power source and a user interface electrically coupled thereto.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein said heatable magnetic straps comprise:

an outer membrane formed from elastic material.

7. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein each of said heatable magnetic straps comprises:

first and second isolated chambers formed along an entire longitudinal length thereof;

a flexible magnetic core member removably seated within said first chamber and extending along an entire longitudinal length thereof; and

a deformable resistance wire adjustably positioned within said second chamber;

wherein said resistance wire is adaptable to alternate configurations while nested within said second chamber such that heat is discharged at alternate partial segments within said second chamber without interrupting a continuous magnetic force emanating along an entire longitudinal length of said first chamber.

8. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein said panty garment is formed from water impermeable and washable material for repeated use in an aqueous environment.

9. A method for treating cramping muscles occurring along an abdominal cavity of a user during a menstrual cycle, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a panty garment formed from elastic material and having a plurality of pouches mated directly to an inner surface such that said pouches are invisible from an exterior of said panty garment thereof;

b. positioning said panty garment about the abdominal cavity of the user by inserting both user legs through bottom openings formed within said panty garment;

c. removably attaching a controller directly to an outer surface of said panty garment;

d. removably seating a plurality of electro-mechanical transducers generating output vibrations within said pouches by juxtaposing said transducers along a major surface area of said panty garment such that output vibrations are distributed through out anterior and posterior faces of the abdominal cavity;

e. directly coupling a plurality of heatable magnetic straps to said outer surface of said panty garment by extending said heatable magnetic straps along an entire perimeter thereof such that said heatable magnetic straps continuously extend about said anterior and posterior faces of said panty garment;

f. actuating said heatable magnetic straps to a desired temperature level while simultaneously actuating said transducers to an on position; and

g. freely moving said heatable magnetic straps along said outer surface of said panty garment while said transducers are nested within said pouches.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said heatable magnetic straps comprise:

an outer membrane formed from elastic material.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said heatable magnetic straps comprises:

first and second isolated chambers formed along an entire longitudinal length thereof;

a flexible magnetic core member removably seated within said first chamber and extending along an entire longitudinal length thereof; and

a deformably resistance wire adjustably positioned within said second chamber;

wherein said resistance wire is adaptable to alternate configurations while nested within said second chamber such that heat is discharged at alternate partial segments within said second chamber without interrupting a continuous magnetic force emanating along an entire longitudinal length of said first chamber.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said panty garment is formed from water impermeable and washable material for repeated use in an aqueous environment.