Apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence, and for exercising bio-feedback of women vagina muscles

• US 8,360,954 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apimeds, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apimeds, Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Kyungil
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II, Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dorna, Carrie R
• Application Number:
  US11/795,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20080139876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,405 Days
• Field of Search: 600/29, 600/31, 600/591, 482/113
• US Class Current: 600/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/227 of constricting muscles, i.e. sphincters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4337 of the vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/40 Devices insertable in the genitals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/44 Having substantially cylindrical shape, e.g. dildos
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0228 heated by an electric resistance element
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0235 Thermistors with Positive Temperature Coefficient [PTC]
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/025 by direct air flow on the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/00 Magnetotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/066 far infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00196 using pulsed counterforce, e.g. vibrating resistance means A61H1/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/007 : combined with magnetotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 : Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 : Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/64 : Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/20 : for vaginal muscles or other sphincter-type muscles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback including a controller main body, a probe, and a bio-feedback device. The probe includes: an insert frame extending in a longitudinal direction thereof; an insert expansion part surrounding adjacent to a front end of the insert frame and expandable therearound; an air supply path connected to the interior of the insert expansion part to supply air; a handle engaged with the insert frame; a fixing means for fixing the insert expansion part to the insert frame or the handle; a valve installed at the air supply path; and a PTC ceramic heater and a vibration motor installed at the insert frame. An elastic member includes a magnet, an insertion depth adjustment part, and leg support parts installed at the insertion depth adjustment part. The bio-feedback device includes a sound generating means, and an image display means. The main body includes a controller for controlling each component, a motorized air pump, an air flow detection sensor, a pressure detection sensor, a spring air cylinder, a solenoid air injection valve, an air tank, etc. Therefore, it is possible for a user to readily perform examination and treatment of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle (vagina muscle) reinforcement exercise using bio-feedback.

Claims

1. An apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback, comprising:

an insert expansion part;

an insert frame, a portion of which is accommodated in the insert expansion part, extending in its longitudinal direction;

a fixing means for fixing the insert expansion part to the insert frame;

an air supply source connected to the insert expansion part and supplying air thereinto;

an air supply path disposed between the air supply source and the insert expansion part; and

a valve installed at the air supply path,

wherein the air supply path comprises a spring air cylinder connected thereto, and a controller for controlling the spring air cylinder, and wherein the spring air cylinder is spaced from the air supply source and configured to distribute a pressure of the insert expansion part.

2. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the insert expansion part or the air supply path comprises a pressure detection sensor, a controller for receiving a signal from the pressure detection sensor and processing the signal, and an expression part connected to the controller.

3. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 2, wherein the expression part is a sound generating means or an image display means.

4. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the air supply path comprises an air flow detection sensor, a controller for receiving a signal from the air flow detection sensor and processing the signal, and an expression part connected to the controller.

5. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the insert expansion part is formed of an elastic member containing filler.

6. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member is formed of rubber.

7. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 6, wherein front and rear ends of the elastic member of the insert expansion part have a larger thickness than an intermediate part.

8. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the front, the insert expansion part has an aspect ratio of 1:

1.2˜

1;

2.5 on expansion.

9. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the front, the insert expansion part has a projection part formed at its upper part.

10. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the insert expansion part has an expansion support piece installed at its front end to be securely engaged with the insert frame.

11. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the insert expansion part has a fixing piece extending from its rear end.

12. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the insert frame has a streamlined insertion guide piece in contact with the insert expansion part at its front end.

13. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the insert frame has at least one of a PTC ceramic motor and a vibration motor.

14. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the insert frame, disposed outside the insert expansion part, comprises a handle.

15. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a stopwatch connected thereto.

16. An apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback comprising:

an insert expansion part;

an insert frame, a portion of which is accommodated in the insert expansion part, extending in its longitudinal direction;

a fixing means for fixing the insert expansion part to the insert frame;

an air supply source connected to the insert expansion part and supplying air thereinto;

an air supply path disposed between the air supply source and the insert expansion part;

a valve installed at the air supply path;

a pressure detection sensor installed at the insert expansion part or the air supply path;

an air flow detection sensor installed at the air supply path;

a controller connected to the valve, the pressure detection sensor, and the air flow detection sensor; and

an expression part connected to the controller,

wherein the air supply path comprises a spring air cylinder connected thereto, and a controller for controlling the spring air cylinder, and wherein the spring air cylinder is spaced from the air supply source and configured to distribute a pressure of the insert expansion part.

17. The apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback according to claim 16, wherein the controller further comprises a data storage device.