Method for characterization of the female pelvic floor with a biomechanical integrity score

A method for determining a biomechanical integrity score to be used for characterization of female pelvic floor conditions, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting a vaginal tactile imaging probe into vagina, said probe equipped with a plurality of tactile sensors distributed along an external surface thereof;
• (b) recording tactile response from said plurality of tactile sensors while in contact with vaginal walls during vaginal wall deformation caused by moving said vaginal tactile imaging probe;
• (c) recording dynamic pressure patterns on vaginal walls in contact with said vaginal tactile imaging probe during voluntary and reflex-initiated pelvic muscle contractions, involuntary relaxation, Valsalva maneuver, and without further movement of said vaginal tactile imaging probe, the dynamic pressure pattern is recorded as time-dependent tactile response for said plurality of tactile sensors;
• (d) using said tactile responses recorded in step (b) and said dynamic pressure patterns recorded in step (c) to determine biomechanical parameters characterizing each of:
• i. vaginal tissue elasticity,
• ii. pelvic support strength,
• iii. pelvic muscle contraction,
• iv. pelvic muscle involuntary relaxation,
• v. pelvic muscle mobility, and
• (e) using biomechanical parameters calculated in step (d) to calculate a biomechanical integrity score.