Patent Application
20200384311
This application claims the priority of European patent application 17 202 277.4, filed Nov. 17, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a device and a method for training pelvic floor muscles of a user. The device comprises a sensor for sensing an activity of the pelvic floor muscles. In an aspect of the invention, an app on a remote electronic device supports the training according to the method. Further aspects of the invention comprise a system and a kit for training the pelvic floor muscles.
The pelvic floor is composed of muscle fibres, such as the levator ani, the coccygeus muscle, and associated connective tissue, which span the area underneath the pelvis. The pelvic floor is important in providing support for pelvic organs, e.g. the bladder, intestines, and the uterus (in women), as well as for the maintenance of continence. However, it can be damaged in pregnancy and childbirth or through pelvic surgery.
The pelvic floor muscles may be trained by specific exercises, also known as Kegel exercises. As a support for such training, various devices exist, of which some are only applicable by women. However, compliance with a pelvic floor training is often poor, unless the user gets direct feedback, and/or is supervised by a third party, such as a medical doctor. For this reason, some training devices comprise sensors for sensing an activity of the pelvic floor muscles, a disadvantage being that the sensed quantity does often not only indicate an activity of the pelvic floor muscles, but additionally depends on an activity of other muscle groups, such as gluteal and/or abdominal muscles.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device and a method for training pelvic floor muscles of a user, which overcome the disadvantages and limitations of the existing methods and devices, or which represent an alternative to the existing methods and devices.
The problem is solved by a device for training pelvic floor muscles, comprising a rigid housing for a user to sit on comprising a ridge with an opening facing the pelvic floor muscles of the user sitting on it, a beam arranged in the housing, being flush with or protruding from or facing the opening in the ridge, adapted to couple to an activity of the pelvic floor muscles of the user, and a sensor for sensing a movement of and/or a force exerted on the beam.
Preferably, the device is a portable device, preferably of dimensions to be carried by person without effort, e.g. in a toilet bag. Accordingly, it may be used at home or during travel. In this context, it can be regarded as portable or mobile health care device. Generally, the device can be used by men, women, or children.
In an embodiment, the housing may have a triangular cross-section, or the ridge may protrude, a shape of the housing making it convenient for the user to sit on it. The opening in the ridge allows to sense an activity of the pelvic floor muscles which is transferred to the sensor via a beam. The housing is rigid, e.g. preferably made from one or more of metal, such as aluminium, or hard plastic, such that it does not significantly deform when a user sits on it. For example, a bottom plate of the housing, which may include cross beams or other stiffening means, as well as supports for other elements arranged in the housing, can be made from aluminium, while other portions of the housing, such as the ridge or the entire casing arranged on the bottom plate preferably is made from hard plastic. Because of the rigidity of the housing and the spatial limitation of the opening, an influence of an activity of other muscle groups than the pelvic floor muscles, such as the gluteal muscles, is prevented. Preferably, the beam is also rigid, e.g. made of metal, such as aluminium, or from hard plastic, in order to transfer a movement and/or a force to the sensor in an optimum way.
Preferably the device comprises communication means adapted to transmit a signal of the sensor to a remote electronic device, in particular wherein the communication means is a Bluetooth transmitter for connecting to a mobile device, and a power supply, in particular a battery, for supplying the sensor and the communication means with power. The remote electronic device may e.g. be a mobile phone or a computer, configured to process and output the signal. Through the preferred wireless connection between the device and the remote electronic device, e.g. by Bluetooth or WLAN, and the preferred power supply by a battery or an accumulator, the device is mobile and light-weight. In a different embodiment, however, the power supply and/or the communication means may be connected to the remote electronic device through a cable.
The device preferably comprises guiding means, in particular at least one guiding pin, to restrict movements of the beam to a direction perpendicular to the opening in the ridge, and an elastic element, in particular a pressure spring, between the housing and the beam, providing a restoring force for movements of the beam. In a different embodiment, the guiding means may comprise rails or a suspension for the beam, and the elastic element may comprise a piece of rubber. The guiding means and the arrangement of the beam allow to sense a certain muscular activity, i.e. a contraction and/or relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, while suppressing the influence of other muscular activities in the sensed signal. The elastic element ensures that the beam is coupled to and follows the movements of the pelvic floor muscles, not only during contraction, but also during relaxation. The exact position of the elastic element between the housing and the beam is irrelevant for this purpose; in an embodiment, the elastic element may be positioned between a bottom plate of the housing and the beam; in a different embodiment, it may be positioned between the ridge and the beam.
Additionally, or in an alternative, the elastic element may be a spring, such as a leaf spring, for executing a spring force on the beam in the vertical direction, i.e. the direction perpendicular to the opening in the ridge. The spring may be shaped such that at the same time it prevents a lateral deflection of the beam. Hence, the spring may at the same time serve as a guiding means for the beam, which spring preferably is mounted to the bottom plate, and preferably is embodied as at least a three-point construction: While the spring is mounted to the bottom plate or other components of the housing in two points, the third point is coupled to the beam. In a specific embodiment, the beam comprises one or more shoulders at its bottom end facing the sensor. The spring in turn preferably acts on the shoulder/s and thereby presses the beam towards the sensor.
Additionally, or in an alternative, a mechanical protection element, e.g. comprising one or more fins, is arranged inside the housing. Preferably, the one or more fins are mounted to the bottom plate. The beam preferably is arranged between the two of those fins. The fins preferably are made from the same rigid material as the bottom plate and may be fixed to the bottom plate. In particular, the protection element protects the beam from a lateral displacement in response to a lateral impact onto the ridge or the housing. Such lateral impact may in one example be evoked by a user sitting on the device.
Preferably the sensor sensing a force exerted on the beam comprises at least one load cell, where load cell denotes any kind of force sensor such as a strain gauge load cell, a piezoelectric load cell, a hydraulic load cell or a pneumatic load cell, in particular at least one strain gauge, in particular the sensor comprises two or more strain gauges arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. The sensor may also comprise a pressure sensor. The load cell, in particular the at least one strain gauge, allows to precisely determine the force exerted on the beam. For that purpose, in particular the change in resistance of the at least one strain gauge is measured, e.g. in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, which yields precise resistance measurements. Preferably the sensor is initially calibrated with a known force after assembly of the device. In an embodiment, the beam acts on two load cells, and the signal of both load cells is added up.
In an embodiment, the device comprises a cap covering the opening in the ridge, which cap is preferably made from silicone. The cap makes sitting on the device for the user more convenient than an opening with a bare beam. Also, the cap protects the device from the ingress of dust and water. Thus, usability and cleanability of the device are improved.
In a preferred embodiment, the cap comprises or is made from an elastic material, e.g. a thermoplastic polymer, and preferably from a material softer than the material of the housing. In an embodiment, the cap comprises or is made from silicone. The cap may completely seal the opening. In a preferred embodiment, the cap is made integral with the ridge, or even with a casing of the housing, or, in a different embodiment is made integral with a coating of the ridge or the housing. The cap and the ridge or the coating preferably represent one piece, i.e. form an integral element, however, possibly of different materials.
In an embodiment, the cap serves or co-serves as guiding means for restricting movements of the beam to one dimension only, i.e. preferably to the dimension orthogonal to the opening in the ridge. In such embodiment, the cap preferably is one piece together with at least the ridge of the housing. In addition, it is preferred that the cap and the beam are mechanically coupled. For example, a top end of the beam may include a notch into which a bar of the cap may reach, or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, the cap and the beam, and specifically the bar of the cap and the notch of the beam are arranged in a press fit.
Preferably the housing of the device has an extension 1 in longitudinal direction which represents its largest dimension, a width w and a height h including the ridge, in particular wherein 1<20 cm, and/or in particular wherein w<8 cm, and/or in particular wherein h<4 cm. In a preferred embodiment, the choice of 1, w and h, as well as the shape of the housing contribute to the convenience of the user sitting on the device. For this reason, the device may neither be too high, nor too wide, i.e. the width w should not be larger than the distance between the user's seating bones. Considerations of sitting convenience do not pose limits onto the extension 1; however, 1 may not be too large for reasons of easy portability. In a different embodiment, the longitudinal extension 1, the width w and the height h may also be larger than the limits given above. This may e.g. be the case when the housing has a width w greater than the distance between the user's seating bones, so that an entire weight of the user is put on the housing.
In a preferred embodiment, the height h and the width w of the housing vary along the longitudinal direction for convenience of the user sitting on it, and letting the user choose a seating position with suitable pressure on the pelvic floor by varying the seating position in longitudinal direction. Besides, the variation in height h along the longitudinal direction may be such that it triggers an upright sitting posture of the user. Tangible numbers for the dimensions of an embodiment of the device are given further below.
Preferably the opening of the device with the above-mentioned dimensions is elongated in longitudinal direction and aligned with the ridge. In particular the longitudinal extension of the opening is in the range of 5 cm to 20 cm, preferably 11.7 cm, and its width is in the range of 0.5 cm to 2 cm, preferably 1.1 cm. The dimensions and the location of the opening are chosen such that the beam optimally couples to movements of the pelvic floor muscles without picking up an activity of other muscle groups. For this reason, it is sensible that in a preferred embodiment, the opening is located centrally and follows the ridge.
According to a different aspect of the invention, a kit for training pelvic floor muscles comprises a device according to any of the embodiments described above, and a pad for placing the device on. The pad is preferably made from a rigid material, such as metal or hard plastic. The pad ensures a good and even coupling of the device to a base below, at the same time reducing a seat height of the device, and making sitting on the device more convenient for the user. Such kit may be offered to the user as a device and a pad packaged together. In a preferred embodiment, the pad includes a recess for receiving the device which recess is not a through hole but has a bottom instead. By this means, the device is arranged slightly lowered in comparison with its arrangement on a recess-less pad. By means of the recessed pad, the comfort for the user may be enhanced and the coupling of the pelvic floor muscles of the user to the beam may be improved. In particular, the recess has a height between 0.8 mm and 1 mm, preferably of 0.9 mm.
According to a different aspect of the invention, a kit is provided including a device according to one of the preceding embodiments, and a bag for carrying the device. Possibly, a pad as introduced above may accompany the kit, and the bag may be suited for taking the device and the pad.
Another aspect of the invention concerns a method for supporting a training of pelvic floor muscles of a user, comprising receiving data indicative of an activity of the pelvic floor muscles, determining calibration values, in particular in response to a maximum contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and an idle state, processing the received data, and outputting the processed data, in particular in a visual and/or acoustic and/or haptic manner. In particular the received data according to the method is supplied by a device as described above, and more specifically by the sensor of the device. Preferably the method is performed in automated fashion, e.g. in an app or a computer program.
A method does only reasonably support the training, if it is applied by the user in the first place. Hence the method is preferably designed to motivate the user to train. Already a training of 5 min per day according to the method leads to an appreciable enhancement of the pelvic floor muscle performance, thereby decreasing pelvic problems, in particular after childbirth or surgery, reducing incontinence, and improving satisfaction in the user's sexual life.
An embodiment of the method makes use of the data indicative of an activity of the pelvic floor muscles sensed by the sensor of the device. Determining calibration values is important to account for a user's anatomy and the position of the device relative to the pelvic floor muscles and the buttocks of the user. Preferably the calibration values are taken to be the maximum value x2 of the sensed signal reached by a wilful contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, and the minimum value x1 of the sensed signal reached by the user sitting on the device without wilful contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, i.e. the idle state. Embodiments of the processing of received data are described below. The output of the processed data may be presented in numerous different ways. The appearance of the output, however, strongly affects the motivation of the user for training, which shows the importance of an elaborate output comprising visual and/or acoustic and/or haptic feedback to the user. Embodiments of the method with visual output are detailed below. As an acoustic output, it is envisaged to translate the processed data to a tone pitch. In a different embodiment, a sound is played indicating success when the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles reaches a certain level. As a haptic output, the processed data is translated into vibrations, e.g. of the remote electronic device, in yet another embodiment.
Preferably the step of processing the received data comprises normalising the received data with the calibration values, deriving data indicative of a quantity and/or a dynamics of the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles from the normalised data, and using the derived data in a software representing tasks for the training. Normalising the received data with the calibration values makes the data between different users and different training sessions comparable, and allows for a user adaptation and for a control of the training tasks with the processed data. In an embodiment, the normalised value y may be calculated from the received data x and the calibration values x1 and x2 by y=(x−x1)/(x2−x1). Data indicative of a quantity of the contraction characterises the static behaviour of the pelvic floor muscles, whereas data indicative of a dynamics of the contraction describes the change of contraction/relaxation over time, e.g. the speed. Hence deriving such data may comprise signal processing, such as linearising a response function of the sensor, and/or translating the electrical signal of the sensor into physical quantities, e.g. speed or force, and/or taking time derivatives, and/or taking time values, and/or taking force values, and/or others. While the derived data may just be displayed as numbers and/or graphs, in a preferred embodiment, it is used to assign tasks to the user, e.g. exercises how to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles. The tasks are accompanied by various visual and/or acoustic and/or haptic output.
In a preferred embodiment, the step of outputting the processed data comprises displaying an avatar that moves in response to the processed data, in particular wherein the avatar moves in at least one dimension. The avatar is preferably a visual representation of the pelvic floor muscles, or it may be a matchstick man or a cartoon animal. In one embodiment, the avatar moves arms and legs remaining in one place, while in another embodiment, it moves its whole body in at least one dimension. Preferably the avatar moves in a predefined manner, e.g. with a constant speed, in one dimension, while moving in response to the processed data in a second dimension. In this way, the app performing the method resembles a game, in which the user controls the movements of the avatar by contraction/relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles. Due to this “gamification” or “exergaming” (exercise plus gaming), the user is motivated for the training.
A preferred embodiment of the method comprises offering modes to the user, and in response to a selection of a mode, applying the mode in controlling the software. In particular the software supports the modes of training power and/or endurance and/or coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. Preferably tasks are assigned to the user for every mode corresponding to a training of the different criteria of pelvic floor activity.
Preferably the method comprises receiving additional data indicative of an activity of abdominal muscles of the user, processing the received additional data, and outputting the processed additional data. Using the received additional data, it is possible to detect a co-contraction of the abdominal muscles. In the case of co-contraction, the received data that should be indicative of an activity of the pelvic floor muscles, may at least partially be caused by an activity of the abdominal muscles. In particular, in the processing, the received data may be attributed to an activity of the pelvic floor muscles, if and only if the received additional data indicates negligible activity of the abdominal muscles, e.g. exceeding the activity of the abdominal muscles in an idle state by at most 2 times its standard deviation. In an embodiment, the received additional data is shown to the user as visual and/or acoustic and/or haptic output as a self-control in order to avoid a faulty execution of the training. While the spurious effect of an activity of the gluteal muscles is kept out of the data by the rigidity and the shape of the housing, for a prevention of spurious effects of the abdominal muscles, preferably an additional sensor is required, see also below.
In an embodiment, the steps of the method are performed automatically on a remote electronic device such as a smart phone, which preferably is electronically coupled to the device e.g. via Bluetooth. Hence, the routine for determining the calibration values is started and executed automatically, as is the processing of the received data after the determination of the calibration values.
Preferably, one or more of the processed data and the derived data is stored in the remote electronic device, in order to allow the user to compare his/her performances to performances of the past. In such mode, training levels, training programs etc., are preferably autonomously suggested by the software on the remote electronic device.
In a different embodiment, the remote electronic device preferably is coupled via an interface to a cloud computer system. A cloud computer system preferably is represented by one or more server computers connected to the Internet and accessible by users registered with a corresponding service.
In one variant, the remote electronic device may transmit one or more of the processed data and the derived data to the cloud computer system. Medical personnel such as physiologists or doctors may have access to the data submitted, and may send one or more of new calibration values, parameters and modified processed or derived data to the remote electronic device in order to adjust the training, for example. In such a way, the training of the users pelvic floor muscles may be controlled by medical staff without the user having to visit the facility of this medical staff and/or having to train there. The user may stay at home and train there while the relevant data is exchanged with the remote medical staff. In a different embodiment, the cloud computer system is enabled to automatically evaluate the received processed or derived data and to automatically generate one or more of new calibration values, parameters and modified processed or derived data that are sent to the remote electronic device in order to adjust the training, for example.
A further aspect of the invention concerns a computer program element, comprising computer code means for performing a method according to any of the embodiments described above when executed on a processing unit. In a preferred embodiment, the computer program element is an app, which preferably includes the software and supports the user in the training.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a system for training pelvic floor muscles comprises a device according to any of the embodiments described above, and a remote electronic device, comprising a processing unit and communication means for receiving data from the device including the signal of the sensor, in particular via Bluetooth. The processing unit is configured to execute the above-mentioned computer program element. In an embodiment, the remote electronic device is a mobile device, e.g. a smartphone or a wearable, connected to the device e.g. via Bluetooth or via WLAN. In a different embodiment, the remote electronic device is a computer, e.g. a desktop computer.
Preferably the system comprises a third device, comprising an additional sensor for sensing an activity of abdominal muscles of a user, and communication means adapted to transmit a signal of the additional sensor to the remote electronic device, in particular via Bluetooth. In particular the remote electronic device is configured to use the transmitted signal for performing the method of discriminating between activities of the pelvic floor muscles and the abdominal muscles described above. In a preferred embodiment, the third device comprises an abdominal belt with the additional sensor mounted to it, in order to sense precisely an activity of the abdominal muscles. The additional sensor may comprise a coil whose change in inductance due to an activity of abdominal muscles is sensed. In a different embodiment, the additional sensor may comprise a strain gauge whose change in resistance due to an activity of abdominal muscles is sensed. It is also envisaged to apply a second belt around the chest of the user with an additional sensor. By means of the two belts together, it is possible to accurately evaluate pulmonary ventilation. The third device may be offered to the user in form of a kit together with the device and the pad.
In a preferred embodiment, the received data and/or the processed data and/or the received additional data and/or the processed additional data as well as possible scores from the tasks are linked to a time and date and saved in a user profile on the remote electronic device. Preferably a user profile is also stored in a remote database, such as a cloud. Moreover, the received and/or processed data and/or the received and/or processed additional data as well as possible scores from the tasks are preferably transmitted from the remote electronic device of the user to a third party, e.g. a medical doctor as described above. The third party may then define further suitable tasks for the training, set new goals, and/or transmit further tasks to the remote electronic device.
In a different aspect of the invention, a device is provided for training muscles of a user. The muscles may e.g. comprise muscles moving fingers and/or toes, e.g. in a treatment of Parkinson's disease, or other muscles, e.g. in a therapeutic or fitness training.
The device comprises a housing with an opening facing the muscles or a body part to be trained, a beam arranged in the housing, being flush with or protruding from or facing the opening, adapted to couple to an activity of the muscles or the body part, and a sensor for sensing a movement of and/or a force exerted on the beam. In particular the housing comprises a ridge, on which the opening is located.
Preferably the device according to the aspect described in the two paragraphs above comprises communication means adapted to transmit a signal of the sensor to a remote electronic device, in particular wherein the communication means is a Bluetooth transmitter for connecting to a mobile device, and a power supply, in particular a battery, for supplying the sensor and the communication means with power. In particular the device comprises guiding means, in particular at least one guiding pin, to restrict movements of the beam to a direction perpendicular to the opening, and an elastic element, in particular a pressure spring, between the housing and the beam, providing a restoring force for movements of the beam.
Preferably the sensor of the device according to any of the embodiments described above sensing a force exerted on the beam comprises at least one load cell, in particular at least one strain gauge. In particular the sensor comprises two or more strain gauges arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration.
Preferably the device according to any of the embodiments described above comprises a cap covering the opening. As to the material properties of the cap and a potential coating of the housing of the device it is referred to the aspect including the training of the pelvic floor muscles.
Preferably the housing of the device according to any of the embodiments described above has an extension l in longitudinal direction which represents its largest dimension, a width w and a height h, in particular wherein 1<20 cm, and/or in particular wherein w<8 cm, and/or in particular wherein h<4 cm.
Preferably the opening of the device according to any of the embodiments described above is elongated in longitudinal direction, and in particular aligned with the ridge. In particular a longitudinal extension of the opening is in the range of 5 cm to 20 cm, preferably 11.7 cm, and its width is in the range of 0.5 cm to 2 cm, preferably 1.1 cm.
A kit for training muscles of a user comprises a device according to any of the embodiments described above, and a pad for placing the device on.
A method for supporting a training of muscles of a user comprises receiving data indicative of an activity of the muscles, determining calibration values, in particular in response to a maximum contraction of the muscles and an idle state, processing the received data, and outputting the processed data, in particular in a visual and/or acoustic and/or haptic manner. In particular the received data is supplied by the device according to any of the embodiments described above, in particular by the sensor of the device.
Preferably the step of processing the received data in the method according to any of the embodiments described above comprises normalising the received data with the calibration values, deriving data indicative of a quantity and/or a dynamics of the contraction of the muscles from the normalised data, and using the derived data in a software representing tasks for the training.
Preferably the step of outputting the processed data in the method according to any of the embodiments described above comprises displaying an avatar that moves in response to the processed data, in particular wherein the avatar moves in at least one dimension. In particular the avatar moves in a predefined manner in one dimension, and moves in response to the processed data in a second dimension.
Preferably the method according to any of the embodiments described above comprises offering modes to the user, and in response to a selection of a mode, applying the mode in controlling the software, in particular the modes representing a training of power and/or endurance and/or coordination of the muscles.
Preferably the method according to any of the embodiments described above comprises receiving additional data indicative of an activity of other muscles of the user, processing the received additional data, and outputting the processed additional data.
Preferably, a cloud computer system is provided as is introduced above for the application of the training of the pelvic floor muscles.
A computer program element comprises computer code means for performing a method according to any of the embodiments described above, when executed on a processing unit.
A system for training muscles comprises a device according to any of the embodiments described above, and a remote electronic device comprising a processing unit and communication means for receiving data from the device including the signal of the sensor, in particular via Bluetooth, wherein the processing unit is configured to execute the computer program element according to any of the embodiments described above.
Preferably the system according to any of the embodiments described above comprises a third device comprising an additional sensor for sensing an activity of other muscles of a user, and communication means adapted to transmit a signal of the additional sensor to the remote electronic device, in particular via Bluetooth. In particular the remote electronic device is configured to use the transmitted signal for performing the method according to any of the embodiments described above.
Preferably, the system is expanded by a cloud computer system as is introduced for the application of the training of the pelvic floor muscles.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the device according to any of the preceding embodiments is used as a controller for an electronic game. Hence, by contracting and/or releasing the pelvic floor muscles, an avatar in the electronic game may be controlled by the controller. In this regard, the electronic game at the same time represents a software containing tasks for a training of the pelvic floor muscles of the user.
Embodiments only disclosed in combination with one or a group of aspects of the invention shall also be considered disclosed in combination with any of the other aspects of the invention.
The embodiments defined above and further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention can also be derived from the examples of embodiments to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to the drawings. In the drawings it is illustrated in:
The housing 1 has an elongated opening 4 along the ridge 2, facing the pelvic floor muscles of the user. The opening 4 preferably has a longitudinal extension of 11.7 cm, and a width of 1.1 cm. An opening that is much wider than 2 cm may make the movements of the beam susceptible to an activity of other muscle groups, such as the gluteal muscles.
A beam 5 is arranged in the housing 1 and extends into the opening 4. The beam 5 possibly protrudes from the opening 4, e.g. by at max 1 cm, or it is flush with the opening 4, or it ends below the opening 4. In the displayed embodiment, there is a cap 6 over the beam 5, covering and/or closing the opening 4 in the ridge 2. The cap 6 is preferably made from an elastic material, for reasons of usability, convenience and sealing the opening 4, the latter allowing for easy cleaning.
The beam 5 couples to the pelvic floor muscles of the user sitting on the device either directly or through layers of clothing and/or the cap 6. In this way, the beam 5 follows the movements of the pelvic floor muscles, due to contraction and/or relaxation, which the user can perform in a wilful manner. In an embodiment, the movements of the beam 5 are restricted to one dimension by at least one guiding pin 7 and a linear bearing 8 as guiding means, such that the beam 5 can only move perpendicular to the opening 4 facing the pelvic floor muscles. Between the housing 1, in particular the bottom plate 3, and the beam 5, a spring 9, in particular a pressure spring, on a screw 10 is interposed as an elastic element. The spring 9 provides a restoring force for movements of the beam 5, such that the beam 5 follows closely the movements of the pelvic floor muscles.
Moreover the beam 5 acts onto a sensor 11 via a pressure pin 12. The sensor 11 in turn is mounted to the housing 1, in particular to the bottom plate 3 of the housing 1. The sensor 11 senses movements and/or force and/or pressure of the beam 5 with respect to the housing 1. In an embodiment, the sensor 11 comprises at least one load cell, i.e. any kind of force sensor, in particular at least one strain gauge, indicating a force exerted on the beam 5. In particular, two load cells are mounted between the two ends of the beam 5 and the bottom plate 3, bearing the beam 5 like a bridge. For measurement purposes, the strain gauges are preferably arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration for a precise determination of changes in electrical resistance, which are indicative of the force exerted on the beam 5.
The configuration of the housing 1, the beam 5 and the sensor 11 enables the device to supply measurement values that are predominantly caused by an activity of the pelvic floor muscles of a user. The location and the size of the opening 4 are chosen in such a way that the beam 5 is only displaced by movements of the pelvic floor muscles, but not by other muscle groups. Also through its rigidity, the housing 1 does not deform when a user sits on the device, and the measurement values are not or hardly influenced by an activity of other muscle groups, such as the gluteal muscles.
As power supply, the device comprises a battery 13, in particular AA battery cells supplying 1.5 V each, housed in a battery case 14 with a battery cover 15 situated in the bottom plate 3 of the housing 1. The battery 13 powers the sensor 11 as well as a printed circuit board 17 which is described below. In an embodiment, the device comprises a power button 16 for manually switching the device on and off. In a different embodiment, the device is switched on automatically when an activity is sensed, and/or switched off automatically after an idle time of a predefined duration.
In a preferred embodiment, the printed circuit board 17 comprises communication means, such as a Bluetooth transmitter 18 or a WLAN transmitter to supply data of the sensor 11. The sensor data is preferably received by a remote electronic device with an app, which processes and visualises the data. In a different embodiment, the processing of the sensor data or a part of it, e.g. a calibration of the sensor, may be performed by a processor with attached memory on the printed circuit board 17 within the device itself.
It is to be understood that the embodiment shown in
The remote electronic device in the system of
The first step S1 of the method of
Steps S3-S5 of the method concern processing the received data. Step S3 comprises normalising the received data with the calibration values. This is done to account for a variation in the anatomy between different users and for a variation in the position of the device relative to the user. A recommendation of suitable tasks by the app as described later is only possible on the basis of normalised data. Step S4 comprises deriving data indicative of a quantity and/or a dynamics of the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles from the normalised data. The quantity of the contraction describes the static behaviour of the pelvic floor muscles, whereas the dynamics of the contraction describes the changes with time, e.g. the speed. Step S4 may comprise signal processing, such as linearising a response function of the sensor, and/or translating the electrical signal of the sensor into physical quantities, e.g. speed or force, and/or taking time derivatives, and/or taking time values, and/or taking force values, and/or others. The derived data may be used to assess the performance of the pelvic floor muscles according to different aspects, such as power and/or endurance and/or coordination, and to evaluate the development of the performance over time. Step S5 comprises using the derived data in a software representing tasks for the training. The tasks may e.g. consist of reaching a certain level of contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, or holding a certain level of contraction over a certain time interval, or continuously or stepwise increasing or decreasing the level of contraction, or rapidly switching between a certain level of contraction and relaxation, or others. The tasks present a goal to the user, and through the direct assessment of achievement, the user is motivated for the training.
In an embodiment, the method offers different modes from which the user selects one, or uses the default mode. By selecting a mode, the software is controlled, in particular to support different trainings, such as a training of power and/or endurance and/or coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. Depending on the selected mode, the software adapts the tasks for training.
Step S6 of the method comprises outputting the processed data, in particular in a visual and/or acoustic and/or haptic manner. Many ways of outputting the processed data are possible. In a simple way of visual feedback, the app displays a curve indicating the level of contraction/relaxation to be reached by the pelvic floor muscles of the user over time, and additionally it shows the processed data actually reached. As an acoustic output, the level of contraction/relaxation may be translated into a tone pitch, or a sound may be played when the contraction/relaxation reaches a predefined level. For haptic feedback, the level of contraction/relaxation may be translated into a vibration of the remote electronic device in a similar way.
In an embodiment, step S6 also comprises displaying an avatar that moves in response to the processed data. The avatar is a visual representation of the pelvic floor muscle, or it may be a cartoon person as insinuated in reference 26 of
In step S6 different tasks or games are displayed in connection with the avatar depending on the selected training mode. For the training of power of the pelvic floor muscles, the avatar moves with a constant speed in one direction, while there are intermittent bars above it. Through a contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, the avatar jumps from the virtual ground up into the gaps between the bars and in particular collects points or symbols for a score. For the training of endurance of the pelvic floor muscles, the avatar needs to collect symbols or objects, e.g. apples, which are positioned on a certain height above the virtual ground, see references 26 and 27 in
The output of the processed data in step S6 of the method may in an embodiment be configurable by the user through the selection of themes. The different themes correspond to different types of training suitable for different personalities or moods of the users. Preferably three themes are available: “Story” comprises training games for everybody, “Scientific” gives training goals and achievements in numbers and graphs for rational people, and “Meditative” provides exercises comprising simple geometrical shapes to relax stressed people. One of the themes is preset as a default theme, which may be changed during the course of the training.
The device again comprises a housing 1 which exhibits a more or less triangular cross-section with a central ridge 2 along a longitudinal dimension of the device. The housing 1, and specifically its casing, also comprises or is supported by a permanently fixed bottom plate 3. Again, the housing 1 has an elongated opening 4 along the ridge 2, facing the pelvic floor muscles of the user. A beam 5 is arranged in the housing 1 and extends into the opening 4. The beam 5 possibly protrudes from the opening 4, e.g. by at max 1 cm, or it is flush with the opening 4, or it ends below the opening 4. A cap 6 is provided to cover the beam 5, thereby also covering and/or closing the opening 4 in the ridge 2. A sensor 11 is mounted to the bottom plate 3 of the housing 1. The sensor 11 senses movements and/or force and/or pressure of the beam 5 with respect to the housing 1. The beam 5 couples to the pelvic floor muscles of the user sitting on the device either directly or through layers of clothing and/or the cap 6. In this way, the beam 5 follows the movements of the pelvic floor muscles, due to contraction and/or relaxation, which the user can perform in a wilful manner.
In an embodiment, the movements of the beam 5 are restricted to one dimension, i.e. the z-direction. Preferably, there are means different from the guiding pin 7 and the linear bearing 8 of the embodiment of
In a preferred embodiment, the beam 5 comprises one or more shoulders 52 at its bottom end. The bottom end of the beam 5 faces the sensor 11, and in particular rests on the sensor 11, and in particular acts onto a sensor 11 via a pressure pin 12. Presently, a shoulder 52 is arranged at each side of the bottom portion of the beam 5. A spring 20 such as a leaf spring may rest on each shoulder 52 while the spring may be mounted with its other end to the bottom plate 3. Preferably, the spring 20 is shaped and dimensioned such that it prevents a lateral displacement of the beam 5. In the present embodiment, for example, the beam includes a bottom portion that is embraced by the spring 20. While the spring 20 is mounted to the bottom plate 3 and only provides elasticity in z-direction, it also supports fixing the beam 5 in a defined lateral position. The spring 20 may exert a defined force acting on the beam 5.
Preferably, the bottom plate 3 comprises two barrel shaped set-ups 31, on each of which a fin 32 is arranged. Accordingly, the beam 5 is arranged between the two fins 32. Given that the fins 32 preferably are made from the same rigid material as the bottom plate 3, e.g. aluminium, the fins 32 preferably act as protection elements for the beam 5, in particular protecting the beam 5 from a lateral displacement in response to a lateral impact. Such lateral impact may in one example be evoked by a user sitting on the device. In a preferred embodiment, the fins 32 are arranged with respect to an inner wall of the ridge 2 of the housing 1 such that lateral force on the ridge 2 may be absorbed by the fins 32.
As to the material the various elements of the device are made from, e.g. the housing 1, the bottom plate 3, the beam 5 and/or the cap 6, it is referred to the embodiment of
As to the dimensions of various elements of the device and the device itself it is referred to the embodiment of
As to the sensor 11, its set-up, its arrangement/s, and the corresponding electrical circuitry, it is referred to the embodiment of
Summarizing, in the embodiment of
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17202277.4 | Nov 2017 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/081658 | 11/16/2018 | WO | 00 |
