US 5,733,230 A · Perineometer for domestic use in prevention of urinary incontinence and method of using the same

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel perineometer for domestic use and a method of using the same. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel perineometer which can be used by a woman at home or in a non-medically controlled environment. Its use is specific to the rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles by pelvic muscle exercises (PME) particularly following childbirth, to strengthen pelvic floor muscles to pre-childbirth condition, thereby reducing risk of future urinary incontinence. A perineometer for enabling a woman to conduct pelvic muscle exercises under domestic conditions comprising: (a) a generator for generating pneumatic pressure in the perineometer; (b) a flexible pneumatically inflatable hollow bulb connected pneumatically to the manual pneumatic pressure generator (a); and (c) and a support connected to the pneumatic pressure generator (a) or bulb (b), said support supporting a microprocessor, a source of direct electrical current, an electronic pneumatic pressure sensor, a manually manipulatable memory switch electronically connected to the microprocessor, an on-off switch for controlling the transmission of electrical current from an electricity storage means and the microprocessor, and an electronic digital readout display enabling a woman using the perineometer to monitor the effectiveness of her pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises by reference to the electronic digital readout display.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A perineometer for enabling a woman to conduct pelvic muscle strengthening exercises under domestic conditions comprising:

(a) a non-electrically conducting flexible pneumatically inflatable hollow bulb;
(b) a pneumatic pressure generator connected pneumatically to the hollow bulb for generating pneumatic pressure in the hollow bulb;
(c) a perineometer support connected to the hollow bulb (a) or the pneumatic pressure generator or bulb (b), said support comprising (i) a microprocessor, (ii) a source of direct electrical current, (iii) an electronic pneumatic pressure sensor, (iv) a manually manipulatable memory switch electronically connected to the microprocessor, (v) an on-off switch controlling the transmission of electrical current from an electricity storage device to the microprocessor, and (vi) an electronic digital readout display enabling the woman using the perineometer to monitor the effectiveness of the woman's pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises for reference to the electronic digital readout display.

A method of conducting pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises by a woman under domestic conditions using a perineometer comprising:

(1) Providing a perineometer including:
(a) a non-electrically conducting flexible pneumatically inflatable hollow bulb;
(b) a pneumatic pressure generator connected pneumatically to the hollow bulb for generating pneumatic pressure in the hollow bulb;
(c) A perineometer support connected to the hollow bulb (a) or the pneumatic pressure generator (b), said support comprising (i) a microprocessor, (ii) a source of direct electrical current, (iii) an electronic pneumatic pressure sensor, (iv) a manually manipulatable memory switch electronically connected to the microprocessor, (v) an on-off switch controlling the transmission of electrical current from an electricity storage device to the microprocessor, and (vi) an electronic digital readout display enabling the woman using the perineometer to monitor the:
effectiveness of her perineal muscle strengthening exercises;
(2) inserting the flexible pneumatically inflatable hollow bulb into the vagina of the woman;
(3) generating pneumatic pressure in the hollow bulb;
(4) electronically activating the microprocessor, the electronic pneumatic pressure sensor, the manually manipulatable memory switch electronically connected to the microprocessor, and the electronically digital readout display with a source of direct electrical current, thereby enabling the woman to monitor on the perineometer the performance of her pelvic muscle contractions.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Perineometer for domestic use in prevention of urinary incontinence and method of using the same

Life of this patent

Perineometer for domestic use in prevention of urinary incontinence and method of using the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20