The prostate gland encircles the male urethra just below the urinary bladder and can be felt during a rectal exam. The function of the prostate is to produce prostatic fluid and to express such prostatic fluid into the ejaculate during ejaculation. Prostatic fluid constitutes approximately 30% of the total volume of semen. Prostatic fluid contains is slightly alkaline.
A healthy male prostate is slightly larger than a walnut. However, in elderly men, the prostate can enlarge to the point where urination becomes difficult. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia. If the prostate grows too large, it can constrict the urethra and impede the flow of urine, making urination difficult and painful and, in extreme cases, completely impossible. The condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia may be treated by removing the prostate or ablating a portion thereof.
Alternatively, benign prostatic hyperplasia may be treated by prostate massage. Expression of the alkaline prostatic fluid from the prostate gland can reduce its enlargement and reduce the restriction of the urethra, so as to enable full voiding of the bladder. The prostate may be accessed for massage purposes from the anterior wall of the rectum.
Conventionally, a prostate massager is employed for massaging the prostate gland. The prostate massager accesses the prostate via the anus and rectum. An exemplary prostate massage device is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 2,445,974.
Unfortunately, the access afforded to the prostate using a prostate massager is limited due to anatomical constraints. These anatomical constraints, in turn, limit the therapeutic effectiveness of the massage.
What was needed was a method and device that provided enhanced access to the prostate for massage purposes.
The first aspect of the invention is directed to a kit comprising an assembly of tools for compressing a prostate of a human subject. The prostate has an anterior side and a posterior side. The human subject has a rectum with an anterior wall dorsal to the posterior side of the prostate;
and an abdomen with a hypogastric region ventral to the posterior side of the prostate. The assembly includes a rectal compression probe for applying force in the ventral direction on the anterior wall of the rectum for transmitting a force in the ventral direction upon the posterior side of the prostate. The assembly further includes an abdominal compression probe for applying force in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting a force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. Simultaneous use of the rectal compression probe and the abdominal compression probe for simultaneously transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of the prostate and dorsally directed force on the anterior sides of the prostate causes the prostate to compress.
In a first preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the rectal compression probe is an intra-rectal compression probe employable for transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of a prostate of a human subject. The human subject has a rectum with an anterior wall dorsal to the posterior side of the prostate. The intra-rectal compression probe includes a rod having a proximal end and a distal end and a circumference adapted for insertion into the human rectum, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the anterior wall of the rectum adjacent to the posterior side of the prostate, and a flat base attached to the proximal end of the rod for stabilizing the rod, the attachment of the rod to the base forming an angle within a range of between 20 and 60 degrees from horizontal. Optionally, the rectal compression probe may have a fixed angle of attachment between the rod and the flat base. Or, alternatively, the rectal compression probe has an adjustable angle of attachment between the rod and the flat base within a range of between 20 and 60 degrees from horizontal.
In a second preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the rectal compression probe is an intra-rectal compression probe employable for transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of a prostate of a human subject. The intra-rectal compression probe includes a rod having a proximal end and a distal end and a circumference adapted for insertion into the human rectum, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the anterior wall of the rectum adjacent to the posterior side of the prostate. The intra-rectal compression probe further includes a spherical base attached to the proximal end of the rod and having a flat bottom for supporting and stabilizing the intra-rectal compression probe, the attachment of the rod to the spherical base forming an angle between 20 and 60 degrees with the flat bottom.
In a third preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the rectal compression probe is an extra-rectal compression probe employable for transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of a prostate of a human subject. The human subject has an anus caudal to the posterior side of the prostate. The extra-rectal compression probe includes a non-insertion rod having a proximal end and a distal end and a circumference sufficiently great to prevent insertion into the anus, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the anus, the proximal end of the rod having a flat truncated shape for stabilizing the rod.
In a fourth preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the abdominal compression probe is employable for transmitting dorsally directed force on the anterior side of the prostate of a human subject. The human subject has two hands, one chin, and an abdomen with a hypogastric region ventral to the anterior side of the prostate, the abdominal compression probe for applying force in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting a force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. The abdominal compression probe includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen and applying dorsally directed force thereupon. The abdominal compression probe further includes a vibrational motor having two opposing lateral sides, a top side, and a bottom side. The bottom side of the vibrational motor is attached to the proximal end of the shaft for transmitting vibration from the vibration motor to the shaft. The abdominal compression probe further includes two opposing handles. Each handle is transversely attached respectively to one of the lateral sides of the vibrational motor and is adapted to be held by the subject's hands for holding the vibrational motor and for transmitting dorsally directed force upon the vibrational motor and the shaft. The abdominal compression probe further includes a telescoping vertical member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the telescoping vertical member is attached to the top side of the vibrational motor, the distal end of the telescoping vertical member having a rounded shape adapted for engagement below the subject's chin for enabling the subject to exert downward force with the chin upon the telescoping vertical member and the vibrating motor. The telescoping vertical member has an adjustable length for adapting the length between the vibrating motor and the subject's chin. Application of dorsally directed force by the subject upon the handles and the telescoping vertical member while simultaneously contacting the distal end of the shaft upon the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen and while simultaneously operating the vibrational motor transmits both vibrations and force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate.
In a fifth preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the abdominal compression probe is employable for transmitting dorsally directed force on the anterior side of the prostate of a human subject. The human subject has two hands, one chin, and an abdomen with a hypogastric region ventral to the anterior side of the prostate. The abdominal compression probe is employed for applying force in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting a force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. The abdominal compression probe includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen and applying dorsally directed force thereupon. The abdominal compression probe further includes a telescoping vertical member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the telescoping vertical member is attached to the shaft. The distal end of the telescoping vertical member has a rounded shape adapted for engagement below the subject's chin for enabling the subject to exert downward force with the chin upon the telescoping vertical member and the shaft. The telescoping vertical member has an adjustable length for adapting the length between the shaft and the subject's chin. Application of dorsally directed force by the subject upon the telescoping vertical member while simultaneously contacting the distal end of the shall upon the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen transmits force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate.
A second aspect of the invention is directed to an intra-rectal compression probe employable for transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of a prostate of a human subject. The human subject has a rectum with an anterior wall dorsal to the posterior side of the prostate. The intra-rectal compression probe comprises a rod having a proximal end and a distal end and a circumference adapted for insertion into the human rectum, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the anterior wall of the rectum adjacent to the posterior side of the prostate, and a flat base attached to the proximal end of the rod for stabilizing the rod, the attachment of the rod to the base forming an angle within a range of between 20 and 60 degrees from horizontal. In a first preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the rectal compression probe has a fixed angle of attachment between the rod and the flat base. In a second preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the rectal compression probe has an adjustable angle of attachment between the rod and the flat base within a range of between 20 and 60 degrees from horizontal.
A third aspect of the invention is directed to an intra-rectal compression probe employable for transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of a prostate of a human subject. The human subject has a rectum with an anterior wall dorsal to the posterior side of the prostate. The intra-rectal compression probe comprises a rod having a proximal end and a distal end and a circumference adapted for insertion into the human rectum, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the anterior wall of the rectum adjacent to the posterior side of the prostate, and a spherical base attached to the proximal end of the rod and having a flat bottom for supporting and stabilizing the intra-rectal compression probe, the attachment of the rod to the spherical base forming an angle between 20 and 60 degrees with the flat bottom.
A fourth aspect of the invention is directed to an extra-rectal compression probe employable for transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of a prostate of a human subject. The human subject has an anus caudal to the posterior side of the prostate. The extra-rectal compression probe comprises a non-insertion rod having a proximal end and a distal end and a circumference sufficiently great to prevent insertion into the anus, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the anus, the proximal end of the rod having a flat truncated shape for stabilizing the rod.
A fifth aspect of the invention is directed to an abdominal compression probe employable for transmitting dorsally directed force on the anterior side of the prostate of a human subject. The human subject has two hands, one chin, and an abdomen with a hypogastric region ventral to the anterior side of the prostate. The abdominal compression probe is employable for applying force in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting a force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. The abdominal compression probe comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen and applying dorsally directed force thereupon. The abdominal compression probe further comprises a vibrational motor having two opposing lateral sides, a top side, and a bottom side. The bottom side of the vibrational motor is attached to the proximal end of the shaft for transmitting vibration from the vibration motor to the shaft. The abdominal compression probe further comprises two opposing handles. Each handle is transversely attached respectively to one of the lateral sides of the vibrational motor and is adapted to be held by the subject's hands for holding the vibrational motor and for transmitting dorsally directed force upon the vibrational motor and the shaft. The abdominal compression probe further comprises a telescoping vertical member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the telescoping vertical member is attached to the top side of the vibrational motor. The distal end of the telescoping vertical member has a rounded shape adapted for engagement below the subject's chin for enabling the subject to exert downward force with the chin upon the telescoping vertical member and the vibrating motor. The telescoping vertical member has an adjustable length for adapting the length between the vibrating motor and the subject's chin. Application of dorsally directed force by the subject upon the handles and the telescoping vertical member while simultaneously contacting the distal end of the shaft upon the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen and while simultaneously operating the vibrational motor transmits both vibrations and force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate.
A sixth aspect of the invention is directed to an abdominal compression probe employable for transmitting dorsally directed force on the anterior side of the prostate of a human subject. The human subject has two hands, one chin, and an abdomen with a hypogastric region ventral to the anterior side of the prostate. The abdominal compression probe is employable for applying force in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting a force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. The abdominal compression probe comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a rounded shape for contacting the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen and applying dorsally directed force thereupon, and a telescoping vertical member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the telescoping vertical member is attached to the shaft, the distal end of the telescoping vertical member having a rounded shape adapted for engagement below the subject's chin for enabling the subject to exert downward force with the chin upon the telescoping vertical member and the shaft. The telescoping vertical member has an adjustable length for adapting the length between the shaft and the subject's chin. Application of dorsally directed force by the subject upon the telescoping vertical member while simultaneously contacting the distal end of the shaft upon the hypogastric region of the subject's abdomen transmits force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate.
A seventh aspect of the invention is directed to a method for compressing a prostate of a human subject. The prostate has an anterior side and a posterior side. The human subject has a rectum with an anterior wall dorsal to the posterior side of the prostate; and an abdomen with a hypogastric region ventral to the posterior side of the prostate. The method comprises the following two steps: In the first step, force is applied with an intra-rectal compression probe inserted into the rectum. The force is applied in the ventral direction onto the anterior wall of the rectum for transmitting force in the ventral direction upon the posterior side of the prostate. In the second step, force is applied, simultaneously with the first step, with an abdominal compression probe. The force is applied in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. Simultaneous use of the intra-rectal compression probe and the abdominal compression probe for simultaneously transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of the prostate and dorsally directed force on the anterior sides of the prostate causes the prostate to compress. In a first preferred mode of the seventh aspect of the invention, in the second step, the abdominal compression probe is motorized for applying force onto the hypogastric region of the abdomen. In a second preferred mode of the seventh aspect of the invention, in the second step, the abdominal compression probe is not motorized for applying force onto the hypogastric region of the abdomen.
An eighth aspect of the invention is directed to a method for compressing a prostate of a human subject. The prostate has an anterior side and a posterior side. The human subject has an anus posterior side of the prostate and an abdomen with a hypogastric region ventral to the posterior side of the prostate. The method comprises the following two steps. In the first step, force is applied with an extra-rectal compression probe in abutting contact with the anus. The force is applied ventrally across the anus onto the posterior side of a prostate of a human subject. In the second step, force is applied, simultaneously with the first step, with an abdominal compression probe for applying force in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting a force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. Simultaneous use of the extra-rectal compression probe and the abdominal compression probe for simultaneously transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of the prostate and dorsally directed force on the anterior sides of the prostate causes the prostate to compress. In a first preferred mode of the eighth aspect of the invention, in the second step, the abdominal compression probe is motorized for applying force onto the hypogastric region of the abdomen. In a second preferred mode of the eighth aspect of the invention, in the second step, the abdominal compression probe is not motorized for applying force onto the hypogastric region of the abdomen.
The invention is directed to tools and methods for applying compression pressure on the prostate by simultaneously transmitting ventrally directed force on the posterior side of the prostate and dorsally directed force on the anterior side of the prostate.
The ventrally directed force on the posterior side of the prostate is achieved with a rectal compression probe. The rectal compression probe may be either intra rectal or extra rectal. The intra rectal compression probe is inserted into the rectum during use. The extra rectal compression probe is positioned below the rectum during use, but is not inserted into the rectum.
An abdominal compression probe 100 is illustrated in
Intra rectal compression probes are illustrated in
A first type of rectal compression probe 400 is illustrated in
A second type of rectal compression probe 600 is illustrated in
An extra rectal compression probe 700 is illustrated in
The dorsally directed force on the anterior side of the prostate is achieved with an abdominal compression probe. The abdominal compression probe may be either motorized with a vibrator or may lack a motorized vibrator. An abdominal compression probe without a motorized vibrator feature is illustrated in
During use the abdominal compression probe is employed for applying force in the dorsal direction on the hypogastric region of the abdomen for transmitting a force in the dorsal direction upon the anterior side of the prostate. The use of an abdominal compression probe having a motorized vibrator is illustrated in
To achieve bidirectional compression of the prostate, both a rectal compression probe and an abdominal compression probe are required. However, any of the rectal compression probes disclosed herein may be employed with any of the abdominal compression probes disclosed herein.
For user convenience, a rectal compression probe and an abdominal compression probe may be supplied as a kit containing both items, so that the use has both tools required to achieve bidirectional prostate compression. However, the rectal compression probe contained within the kit may be intra rectal or extra rectal. Similarly, the abdominal compression probe may be motorized with a vibrator or may be unmotorized and lack a vibrator.
The invention is also directed to a method for compressing a prostate of a human subject, the prostate having an anterior side and a posterior side, the human subject having:
The invention is further directed to a method for compressing a prostate of a human subject, the prostate having an anterior side and a posterior side, the human subject having:
This application is a United States utility patent application which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/972,821, filed on Feb. 11, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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