Pelvic Muscle Trainer

Abstract

A training device is disclosed for exercising the pubococcygeal or pelvic floor muscles, for example in the treatment of incontinence. The device includes a cylindrical, deformable probe for insertion into the vagina or rectum of a user. The probe is connected to a pressure transducer, which detects the pressure applied to the probe by contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and displays a-pressure indicator to the user to help direct the contraction of the appropriate muscles. The pressure indicator may take the form of a series of nested figures, such as curves or concentric semi-circles, that incrementally converge toward a common point as pressure on the probe increases. The nested figures incrementally retreat from the common point as pressure on the probe decreases. The training unit guides a user through an exercise routine by tracking the overall exercise time and the timing between flexing and relaxation cycles. The training unit can include a controller, such as a microcontroller, that is coupled to the inflatable probe for detecting the pressure within the probe. The controller tracks the timing of exercises performed by the user and guides the user through alternating cycles of muscular contraction and relaxation to provide a safe and effective biofeedback regimen

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user, comprising:
 an inflatable probe for insertion into an orifice of the user, the inflatable probe having a reference pressure prior to the initiation of the exercise routine; and   a training unit operably connected to the inflatable probe and including,
 a controller for determining the reference pressure and pressures applied to the inflatable probe by flexure and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles by the user, 
 a display coupled to the controller and having a pressure indicator portion for displaying information associated with the flexure and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, 
 the controller indicating on the display alternating flexing and relaxation cycles for guiding the user through the exercise routine of the pelvic floor muscles, wherein during the flexing cycle an actual pressure applied to the inflatable probe is displayed incrementally, the actual pressure being determined in relation to the reference pressure, and 
 the controller further including a leak monitor system for detecting changes in the reference pressure in the inflatable probe, wherein the incremental display of the actual pressure is adjusted to compensate for changes in the reference pressure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the leak monitoring system determines a measured pressure in the inflatable probe when the pelvic floor muscles are in the relaxation cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the measured pressure is compared to the reference pressure, if the measured pressure is less than the reference pressure the measured pressure is saved by the controller as the reference pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a pressure generator connected the inflatable probe. 
     
     
         5 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the pressure generator is positioned in the inflatable probe. 
     
     
         6 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the pressure generator is positioned in the training unit. 
     
     
         7 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable probe is connected to the training unit with a conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable probe is wirelessly connected to the training unit. 
     
     
         9 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable probe includes a replacement indicator. 
     
     
         10 . A device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user, comprising:
 an inflatable probe for insertion into an orifice of the user, the inflatable probe including a wireless transmitter; and   a training unit including a controller, display, and a wireless transmitter, wherein the training unit is in wireless communication with the inflatable probe.   
     
     
         11 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the wireless communication transmits pressures applied to the inflatable probe by a flexure and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles by the user. 
     
     
         12 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 11 , the display being coupled to the controller and having a pressure indicator portion for displaying information associated with the flexure and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles; and
 the controller indicating on the display alternating flexing and relaxation cycles for guiding the user through the exercise routine of the pelvic floor muscles, wherein during the flexing cycle the controller directs the user to flex the pelvic floor muscles and wherein during the relaxation cycle the controller directs the user to relax the pelvic floor muscles.   
     
     
         13 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein during the flexing cycle an actual pressure applied to the inflatable probe is displayed incrementally, the actual pressure being determined in relation to a reference pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 13 , the controller further including a leak monitor system for detecting changes in the reference pressure in the inflatable probe, wherein the incremental display of the actual pressure is adjusted to compensate for changes in the reference pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the leak monitoring system determines a measured pressure in the inflatable probe when the pelvic floor muscles are relaxation cycle. 
     
     
         15 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the measured pressure is compared to the reference pressure, if the measured pressure is less than the reference pressure the measured pressure is saved by the controller as the reference pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 10 , further including a pressure generator positioned in the inflatable probe. 
     
     
         17 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 10 , further including a pressure generator is positioned in the training unit. 
     
     
         18 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the inflatable probe is releasably connectable to the training unit. 
     
     
         19 . The device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the inflatable probe includes a replacement indicator. 
     
     
         20 . A device for assisting in an exercise routine of pelvic floor muscles of a user, comprising:
 an inflatable probe for insertion into an orifice of the user, the inflatable probe including a replacement indicator; and   training unit operable connected to the inflatable probe.