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US 5,674,238 AGranted
Perineometer
AssigneeThe Research Foundation of State Univ. of N.Y.
InventorsSteven B. Sample, Bonnie Bullough, Patricia A. Burns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A perineometer which indicates the pressure created by vaginal contractions. A probe with a bulbous end is inflated inside the vagina, and a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the probe indicates the pressure of vaginal contractions to a display. The probe may be constructed with bellows. The probe may also be constructed of an elastic material having two different expansion rates.
Claims46
A perineometer, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable vaginal probe with an interior pressure which may be varied by the contraction of a patient's vaginal muscles;
- (b) a pressure transducer for sensing the interior pressure of said probe;
- (c) a control module comprising:
- (i) an electronic control circuit and a display means;
- (ii) whereby said display means indicate alternating periods of exercise and periods of rest according to predetermined criteria;
- (iii) whereby said display means indicate during each of said periods of exercise indicia which are representative of the difference between the pressure within said probe during said exercise period and a first predetermined pressure;
- (iv) whereby said display means indicate during each of said rest periods indicia which are a function of the pressure within said probe during a plurality of preceding exercise periods and a second predetermined pressure;
- (d) wherein said probe is in fluid communication with said pressure transducer and said pressure transducer produces a signal which is transmitted to said control module.
5 more elements
A perineometer comprising:
- (a) an inflatable balloon comprising:
- (i) a first open end;
- (ii) a second closed end;
- (iii) an intermediate portion interposed between said first open end and said second closed end;
- (iv) an interior portion;
- (v) wherein said balloon is inflatable from a preformed configuration to an expanded configuration wherein, while said balloon is in said expanded configuration, said second closed end has a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of said intermediate portion;
- (b) a frame, wherein said first open end of said balloon is attached to said frame with a fluid-tight connection;
- and
- (c) a control module including a pressure transducer and a display, said pressure transducer having an input and generating an output, said input of said pressure transducer being in fluid communication with said interior portion of said balloon, said control module further including a control switch for adjusting a fluid pressure in said interior portion of said balloon, said display presenting indicia derived at least in part from said output of said pressure transducer.
6 more elements
A perineometer comprising:
- an inflatable balloon mounted on a frame said balloon comprising:
- (a) a first open end;
- (b) a second closed end;
- (c) an intermediate portion interposed between said first open end and said second closed end;
- (d) an interior portion;
- (e) wherein said balloon is inflatable from a non-expanded configuration to an expanded configuration;
- (f) wherein, while said balloon is in said expanded configuration, said second closed end has a perimeter greater than the perimeter of said intermediate portion;
- and
- a control module including pressure transducer and a display, said pressure transducer having an input generating an output, said input of said pressure transducer being in fluid communication with said interior portion of said balloon, said control module further including a control switch for adjusting pressure in said interior portion of said balloon, said display indicia derived at least in part from said output of said pressure transducer.
6 more elements
A control module for use with a perineometer, said perineometer comprising an inflatable vaginal probe whose interior pressure may be varied by the contraction of a patient's vaginal muscles, wherein said control module comprises:
- (a) a pressure transducer for sensing the pressure in said probe;
- (b) an electronic control circuit;
- (c) display means;
- (d) wherein said display means indicates periods of exercise and periods of rest, wherein said periods of exercise alternate with said periods of rest according to predetermined criteria;
- (e) wherein said display means indicate indicia which are representative of the difference between the pressure in said probe during a present period of exercise and the average pressure in said probe during a preceding period of rest;
- (f) wherein said display means indicate indicia which are representative of the difference between the average pressure in said probe during a preceding period of exercise and the average pressure in said probe during a preceding period of rest.
3 more elements
A perineometer comprising:
- a frame;
- a flange;
- a balloon;
- wherein said balloon is comprised of:
- a first open end;
- a second closed end;
- an intermediate portion;
- an interior portion;
- wherein said first open end is attached to said frame with a fluid-tight connection;
- wherein said balloon is further comprised of a bellows having a plurality of folds;
- wherein said folds extend along the length of said balloon from said first open end to said second closed end;
- wherein the expanded perimeter of said second closed end is larger than the expanded perimeter of said intermediate portion;
- and
- a control module including a pressure transducer and a display, said pressure transducer having an input and generating an output, said input of said pressure transducer being in fluid communication with said interior portion of said balloon, said control module further including a control switch for adjusting a fluid pressure in said interior portion of said balloon, said display presenting indicia derived at least in part from said output of said pressure transducer.
11 more elements
A perineometer comprising:
- a probe, wherein said probe comprises:
- a frame;
- a flange;
- a balloon;
- wherein said balloon is comprised of:
- a first open end;
- a second closed end;
- an intermediate portion;
- an interior portion;
- wherein said first open end is attached to said frame with a fluid-tight connection;
- wherein the expanded perimeter of said second closed end is larger than the expanded perimeter of said intermediate portion;
- wherein said balloon is comprised of an elastomeric material;
- wherein the expansion rate of said second closed end is greater than the expansion rate of said intermediate portion;
- and
- a control module including a pressure transducer and a display, said pressure transducer having an input and generating an output, said input of said pressure transducer being in fluid communication with said interior portion of said balloon, said control module further including a control switch for adjusting a fluid pressure in said interior portion of said balloon, said display presenting indicia derived at least in part from said output of said pressure transducer.
12 more elements
A perineometer comprising:
- a probe, wherein said probe comprises:
- a frame;
- a flange;
- a balloon;
- wherein said balloon is comprised of:
- a first open end;
- a second closed end;
- an intermediate portion;
- an interior portion;
- wherein said first open end is attached to said frame with a fluid-tight connection;
- wherein the expanded perimeter of said second closed end is larger than the expanded perimeter of said intermediate portion;
- wherein said balloon is comprised of an elastic material;
- and
- a control module including a pressure transducer and a display, said pressure transducer having an input and generating an output, said input of said pressure transducer being in fluid communication with said interior portion of said balloon, said control module further including a control switch for adjusting a fluid pressure in said interior portion of said balloon, said display presenting indicia derived at least in part from said output of said pressure transducer.
11 more elements
A perineometer, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable vaginal probe with an interior pressure which may be varied by the contraction of a patient's vaginal muscles;
- (b) a pressure transducer for sensing the interior pressure of said probe;
- (c) a control module comprising:
- (i) an electronic control circuit and a display;
- (ii) said display indicating alternating periods of exercise and periods of rest according to a predetermined criteria;
- (iii) said display indicating during each of said periods of exercise indicia which are representative of the difference between the pressure within said probe during said exercise period and a first predetermined pressure;
- (iv) said display indicating during each of said rest periods indicia which are a function of the pressure within said probe during at least one preceding exercise period and a second predetermined pressure;
- (d) wherein said probe is in fluid communication with said pressure transducer and said pressure transducer produces a signal which is transmitted to said control module.
5 more elements
A vaginal probe for use with a perineometer, said vaginal probe comprising:
- (a) an inflatable balloon comprising:
- (i) a first open end;
- (ii) a second closed end;
- (iii) an intermediate portion interposed between said first open end and said second closed end;
- (iv) a plurality of longitudinal bellows formed in a portion of said balloon;
- (v) wherein said balloon is inflatable from a preformed configuration to an expanded configuration such that while said balloon is in said expanded configuration, said second closed end has a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of said intermediate portion;
- (b) a frame, wherein said first open end of said balloon is attached to said frame with a fluid-tight connection.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.