Medical Exercise Device

Abstract

An intra-vaginal device of a new and innovative design that can be used in combination with Kegel exercises or performing ones daily routine to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. The device employs a combination of unique shape, materials as well as carefully engineered deflection, frictional, testing and cleanability characteristics with particular attention to a sexually neutral appearance, comfort during insertion and exercise as well as positive physical feedback to encourage prolonged and frequent use. Benefits of the device include improvement or prevention of urinary leakage and prolapse, increases in sexual intensity, to keep the uterus/bladder/rectum in place as a pessary as well as relief for women suffering from moderate prolapse, and as a dilator to aid women who suffer from vaginismus. With its multiple features and benefits, the device is a vital tool in a woman's quest for a complete and balanced wellness regimen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for strengthening musculature in an area of a bodily opening comprising:
 inserting a prolate shaped ring into the bodily opening by flattening the prolate shaped ring along its major axis and pressing onto a finger pad disposed on one end of the prolate shaped ring;   allowing the prolate shaped ring to at least partially open within the bodily opening; and   contracting and releasing muscles to cause flexation of the prolate shaped ring within the bodily opening.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prolate shaped ring has an unobstructed through opening. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strengthening musculature provides relief from incontinence. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strengthening musculature increases sexual intensity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pulling on a tension element attached to the prolate shaped ring to remove the prolate shaped ring from the bodily opening. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prolate shaped ring is continuous and symmetrical about the major axis and a minor axis thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising embedding a prolate shaped spring in the prolate shaped ring. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising notching ends of the prolate shaped spring to form at least one notch, resulting in a reduced pressure requirement to flatten the prolate shaped ring along its major axis as compared to its minor axis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the prolate shaped ring, taken perpendicularly to a plane containing the major axis and the minor axis, has an outline of essentially a shape of an isosceles trapezoid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a short parallel side of the isosceles trapezoid forms a part of an outer circumference of the prolate shaped ring;   a long parallel side of the isosceles trapezoid forms a part of an inner circumference of the prolate shaped ring;   each of two sloped sides of the isosceles trapezoid are convexly curved; and   the short parallel side of the isosceles trapezoid is convexly curved.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the notch is disposed at a proximity of an intersection of the prolate shaped ring with the major axis, the notch formed by notching opposite sides, widthwise, of the prolate shaped spring. 
     
     
         12 . A method for strengthening musculature in an area of a bodily opening comprising:
 inserting a prolate shaped ring into the bodily opening by flattening the prolate shaped ring along its major axis and pressing onto a finger pad disposed on one end of the prolate shaped ring, wherein the prolate shaped ring has an unobstructed through opening;   allowing the prolate shaped ring to at least partially open within the bodily opening;   contracting and releasing muscles to cause flexation of the prolate shaped ring within the bodily opening; and   pulling on a tension element attached to the prolate shaped ring to remove the prolate shaped ring from the bodily opening once an exercise is completed, wherein   the method provides at least one of relief from incontinence, relieve from pelvic organ prolapse, dilation for vaginismus, promotes relaxation of vaginal muscles, and increases sexual intensity.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the prolate shaped ring is continuous and symmetrical about the major axis and a minor axis thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising embedding a prolate shaped spring in the prolate shaped ring. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising notching ends of the prolate shaped spring to form at least one notch, resulting in a reduced pressure requirement to flatten the prolate shaped ring along its major axis as compared to its minor axis. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a cross section of the prolate shaped ring, taken perpendicularly to a plane containing the major axis and the minor axis, has an outline of essentially a shape of an isosceles trapezoid. 
     
     
         17 . A treatment method comprising:
 inserting a prolate shaped ring into the bodily opening by flattening the prolate shaped ring along its major axis and pressing onto a finger pad disposed on one end of the prolate shaped ring;   allowing the prolate shaped ring to at least partially open within the bodily opening; and   contracting and releasing muscles to cause flexation of the prolate shaped ring within the bodily opening.   
     
     
         18 . The treatment method of  claim 17 , wherein the treatment method aids to prevent pelvic organ prolapse. 
     
     
         19 . The treatment method of  claim 17 , wherein the treatment method provides dilation for vaginismus. 
     
     
         20 . The treatment method of  claim 17 , wherein the treatment method promotes relaxation of vaginal muscles.