Multi-mode pelvic exercise probe
First Claim
1. A probe receivable within a pelvic cavity for sensing contraction pressure applied by pelvic floor muscles against the probe, the probe comprising:
- a probe body having a head portion adapted to seat within an area of a pelvic cavity and having a shaft portion adapted to seat at the introitus of the pelvic cavity, the shaft portion ending at a distal end portion;
a transducer sleeve fitted intermediate the distal end portion and the head portion, the transducer sleeve including a variable impedance element capable of exhibiting a change in electrical impedance in response to pelvic contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve; and
an electronic circuit module enclosed within the probe body and electrically coupled to the variable impedance element, the electronic circuit module including a transmitter for transmitting feedback signals in response to contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A perineometer exercise probe for home or clinical use assesses the strength of pelvic floor muscles and provides audible, visual and tactile biofeedback signals as training aids during pelvic exercises. The exercise probe is selectively operable in a passive reaction mode, in which audible, visual and tactile biofeedback signals proportional to pelvic muscle contractions are generated, and in an active vibrating mode in which therapeutic vibrations are applied directly to internal pelvic musculature with or without co-generation of biofeedback signals proportional to the strength of pelvic muscle contractions; and in a combination of both modes simultaneously. The probe reacts the pelvic contraction forces and thus provides passive tactile feedback signals that are experienced simultaneously with audible, visual and vibration-induced tactile biofeedback signals for improving the endurance and strength of pelvic floor muscles. Biofeedback signaling is facilitated by wireless two-way communication between the probe and a portable monitor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A probe receivable within a pelvic cavity for sensing contraction pressure applied by pelvic floor muscles against the probe, the probe comprising:
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a probe body having a head portion adapted to seat within an area of a pelvic cavity and having a shaft portion adapted to seat at the introitus of the pelvic cavity, the shaft portion ending at a distal end portion; a transducer sleeve fitted intermediate the distal end portion and the head portion, the transducer sleeve including a variable impedance element capable of exhibiting a change in electrical impedance in response to pelvic contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve; and an electronic circuit module enclosed within the probe body and electrically coupled to the variable impedance element, the electronic circuit module including a transmitter for transmitting feedback signals in response to contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for training a patient'"'"'s pelvic floor muscles, comprising in combination:
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a probe body having a head portion adapted to seat within an area of a pelvic cavity and having a shaft portion adapted to seat at the introitus of the pelvic cavity, the shaft portion ending at a distal end portion; a transducer sleeve fitted intermediate the distal end portion and the head portion, the transducer sleeve including a variable impedance element capable of exhibiting a change in electrical impedance in response to pelvic contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve; an electronic circuit module enclosed within the probe body and electrically coupled to the variable impedance element, the electronic circuit module including an RF transceiver for transmitting wireless feedback signals in response to contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve; and a portable monitor including a radio frequency receiver for receiving the wireless signal and an indicator device coupled to the receiver for displaying a visual representation of feedback information contained in the wireless signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A probe receivable within a pelvic cavity for sensing contraction pressure applied by pelvic floor muscles against the probe, the probe comprising:
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a probe body having a head portion adapted to seat within an area of a pelvic cavity and having a shaft portion adapted to seat at the introitus of the pelvic cavity, the shaft portion ending at a distal end portion; a transducer sleeve fitted intermediate the distal end portion and the head portion, the transducer sleeve including means for exhibiting a change in electrical impedance in response to pelvic contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve; and an electronic circuit module enclosed within the probe body and electrically coupled to the variable impedance element, the electronic circuit module including a means for transmitting feedback signals in response to contraction forces applied to the transducer sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification