Patent Application
20240238643
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The field of the present inventive concept relates generally to methods and equipment utilized to enhance better health and hygiene for individuals with regard to either episodic bladder or bowel control issues.
Dr. Arnold H. Kegel, an American gynecologist, as early as 1948, performed research devised a technique of “Kegel exercises,” which involved a method of squeezing of the muscles of the pelvic floor as a non-surgical treatment of urinary incontinence. Other prominent physicians also were cognizant of the need for an exercise product which could help persons, regardless of age, simply and easily strengthen the pelvic muscles.
While studying the physiological causes of urinary stress incontinence, Dr. Kegel discovered that the puhococcygeus or “PC” muscle, one of several muscles making up the “pelvic sling” muscle group, played a major role in bladder and bowel control, pregnancy and childbirth, and sexual satisfaction.
It is now recognized that Kegel, or pelvic floor muscle exercises, are also effective in strengthening the muscles which support the rectum. In anatomical descriptions, this specialized group of muscles is called the sphincters, this group of muscles controlling bowel continence. Kegel exercises done correctly and regularly, particularly, with respect to the disclosed inventive concept, can strengthen the sphincter muscles.
Published U.S. Patent Application #2005/0113228 A1; J. Marcotte; May 26, 2005 The Kegel exercising device and method for exercising the Kegel muscle may be employed by a female to prevent incontinence, enhance sensitivity during sexual activity and improve genital health. The Kegel exercising device has two spheres respectively for insertion into the vaginal and anal cavities, and an intermediate S-shaped portion which provides resistance against the front wall and the back wall of the Kegel muscle simultaneously. The device of the current invention thus permits a user to exercise the Kegel muscle without having to manipulate the device with her hands.
U.S. Pat. No. 11,426,625B2; Iglesias, et al; Aug. 30, 2022; A system and method for optimizing a patient's Kegel exercises is provided. The system includes a user interface device and a vaginal device. The vaginal device includes an intra-vaginal probe having an accelerometer that is configured to generate a signal in response to movement of the probe. The user interface device is connected to the vaginal device and analyzes signals from the accelerometer to provide physiological feedback information to the patient. The vaginal device may be connected to the user interface device via wireless communications.
U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/945,652B1; Wanderman, S.; Mar. 16, 2021
A Kegel exercise measurement and feedback device measures the amount of force that is exerted on a sensor portion and provides feedback in the form of vibration, a phrase or a light that is emitted from a feedback module. A sensor portion comprises a resilient body having a bladder in an inner cavity that can be compressed by Kegel exercises. Air within the bladder is forced into a bellows of the measurement portion which expands the bellows and a contactor plate attached thereto. As the contactor plate moves, due to the expansion of the bellows, it makes contact with level contactors to activate a corresponding feedback phrase, emitted light or vibration.
U.S. Published Patent Application #2022/0314068; Wang, Oct. 6, 2022
A pelvic floor muscle training device includes a pelvic floor muscle training device, an intelligent terminal, a cloud server, a VR device, and one or more application programs. The user does Kegel exercise wearing the training device, with the help of the VR device and scene induction, synergistic or independently, thus enhancing pelvic floor muscle function.
In-Tone Device: The InTone device treats bladder leakage using the most effective, non-invasive treatment strategies available. InTone combines proven technologies to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and is designed to be used in the comfort and privacy of your home. InTone combines voice-guided pelvic floor exercises, visual biofeedback, and muscle stimulation to strengthen your pelvic floor and stop spasms of the bladder muscle. If you have a strong pelvic floor, you can do things such as cough, laugh, sneeze and run without leakage. InTone talks you through your entire 12 minute session, just as a physician would do during a clinical visit. associated medical.com/intone
ApexM, a product for women, provides gentle muscle stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles to both strengthen the muscles more effectively and at the same time calms activity of the bladder. Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern—Chicago, IL https://pelicanhealthclinic.com
The disclosed exercise device, in general, is a bladder control device. The inventive concept herein, referred to as a “bladder device,” 1 is a uniquely shaped resistance exerciser. It is constructed with specifically contoured, rounded, continuously flowing and transitioning surfaces. In the manner of weighted dumbbells that provide resistance when a user lifts them to strengthen the arms, shoulders and back muscles, the bladder control device 1 is created for the purpose of helping a person strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, or in physiological terminology, the pubococcygeus muscle.
The term, “pelvic sling” is often used to in reference to a broad, elastic band at the bottom of the pelvis. It supports the internal organs including the urinary tract and rectum in both sexes, along with the birth canal in women. If it sags, the organs sag with it and cause accompanying problems, notably urinary and fecal incontinence. Initial damage occurs most frequently after women experience childbirth. In the past, corrective surgery, which was not always effective, was believed to be the only alternative. The disclosed bladder control device 1 is specially designed to strengthen those muscles associated with these health problems, and can help prevent and correct such problems, without coming into contact with any internal organs of the body.
As humans age, the muscles that control elimination begin to lose their elasticity and functional capability. Consequently, many people suffer from the embarrassment and inconvenience of insufficient bladder and bowel control. By using the bladder control device 1, people will not have to resign themselves to using pads or other after-the-fact remedies. The bladder control device 1 is a hollow, generally oblong device of unitary construction having dimensions of length, width, and lateral curvature for facilitating use of the bladder control device 1.
The bladder control device 1 is a hollow, crescent-shaped or oblong device of unitary construction having dimensions of length, width, and lateral curvature for facilitating use of the bladder control device 1. The primary objective of the bladder control device 1 is to provide a device and method for a person, either male or female, to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, or as stated physiologically, the pubococcygeus muscle. This muscle is effectively activated by a user enveloping the outer surfaces of the bladder control device 1 between the upper thigh muscles of both legs and flexing the thigh muscles tightly against the bladder control device 1.
Another objective of the bladder control device 1, when placed in use, is to engage the muscular efforts of the left and right adductor longus, adductor magnus, and the gracilis muscle in unison. When the bladder control device 1 is placed between the upper thighs of a user, the saddle 5 of the bladder control device 1 provides a non-slip gripping surface against which these muscles can flex. Depending on the exercise routine prescribed for the user, certain time intervals are adhered to in order to establish a regularity in contracting and releasing these muscles against the surfaces of the bladder control device 1. It is a further objective of this inventive concept is to provide a method for performing what are referred to as “Kegel exercises,” the name derived from those types of exercises originally created by Dr. Arnold Kegel.
An additional purpose of the bladder control device 1 is to also provide a form of isometric exercise which assists a user in toning and firming the thigh, buttocks, and lower abdominal muscles. The bladder control device 1 also works on the lower-back, which may assist in relieving lower-back pain. The amount of time necessary for toning the targeted muscles largely depends on a user's current physical condition. However, studies and usage feedback has revealed several users reporting improved bladder and bowel control in as little as fourteen days.
After giving birth, a woman's muscles may have lost their tone from being stretched by the birthed child. The bladder control device 1 and method are very effective in helping a woman recover the muscle tone her body had before pregnancy. Also, this usage can solve a mother's leakage problems, in most cases.
The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. There is a total of six drawing figures, which show the basic construction, components, and/or methods of use. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing a particular embodiment only, and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be further noted that the terms, “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this document, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The discussion of the present inventive concept will be initiated with
In referring to
The circumference 23 of the horn 3, at its largest profile shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the saddle 5 dimensions, as shown in
The bladder control device 1 is a self-enclosed, hollow structure. The exterior surface 9 is smoothly finished, and further, the exterior surface material is consistent throughout the entire structure of the bladder control device 1. The exterior surface 9 is inflexible, smooth, and firm to the touch of human skin, except for the saddle 5, which is of a furrowed texture so as to inherently provide a non-slip grasping surface for the thigh muscles. Also shown, in
To facilitate the effectiveness of the bladder control device 1, the saddle 5 is bonded or cemented to the depressed seat 2 segment of the exterior surface 9. The saddle 5 is constructed of a non-slip, furrowed material of uneven texture. In the preferred embodiment, the saddle 5 has miniaturized longitudinal and lateral furrows fabricated into the surface of the saddle 5, giving it an uneven texture. The saddle 5 is thus more effectively grasped by the inner thigh muscles, (whether by direct skin contact or through the texture of clothing that may be worn by the user) when performing Kegel exercises with the bladder control device 1.
In
At this point, the backstop segment 4 of the bladder control device 1 comfortably rests proximate the vicinity of the user's inner buttocks and rectum area. This arrangement further places the horn 3 of the bladder control device 1 proximate the frontal part of the pelvic floor. Upon the user squeezing his/her upper thigh muscles, this action naturally has the resulting effect of also strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.
The human pelvic floor lies at the base of the pelvis and functions by supporting pelvic organs, maintaining sphincter tone, contributing to sexual function, helping support posture, and aiding in blood and lymphatic flow.
In referring to
In referring to
The method which should be employed in conjunction with the bladder control device 1 is simple and effective. It consists of three exercises that take approximately 10 minutes to perform. This exercise routine is performed twice per day to get the user's muscles back into normal condition and solve episodic bladder or bowel incontinence problems. The exercises are all performed in a standing position and present no risk of injury since the user remains stationary while performing the exercises. The structure of the seat 2 and the accompanying furrowed texture of the saddle 5 provide substantial gripping assistance to a user while flexing the associated muscles in performing the exercise routine.
A significant benefit in using the method of use of the bladder control device 1 is that there is no surgery required. A user gains the benefits and health gains with only 10 minute sessions twice a day. This will result in an improvement of bladder and bowel control. The use of the bladder control device 1 is non-invasive and nothing needs to be inserted into a user's body.
The bladder control device 1 and combined method help tone specific muscles related to childbirth, and can be very beneficial to the expectant mother as well as the mother who has given birth. During pregnancy, a simple laugh, cough, or sneeze can cause urinary leakage. Since the affected muscle surrounds the urinary tract, performing exercises with the bladder control device 1 can help prevent leakage problems for mothers. Further, good PC muscle tone contributes to a smoother delivery by increasing pushing power. It can also decrease delivery time which minimizes painful muscle damage and reduces recovery time.
While preferred embodiments of the present inventive method have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, as described by the scope of the claims presented herein.
