KR100816847B1 - Urinary and fecal incontinence curer - Google Patents

Abstract

An insertion type urinary and fecal incontinence curer is provided to apply electromagnetic stimuli directly to a target muscle for effective strengthening, and to enable accurate biofeedback training by quantitative measurement of anal sphincter muscle power and using EMG. A urinary and fecal incontinence curer comprises: a pressure sensor to detect pressure inside the anus, the vagina, or the urethra with an electric signal; an electrode section(130) composed of an electromyogram detection electrode(140) and a muscle stimulation electrode(150) to introduce micro-current to the lower muscle of the pelvis; and a main body section(200), which is constituted by a pressure signal preprocessing unit(210), an electromyogram signal preprocessing unit(220), a muscle stimulation electrode drive unit(230), an A/D conversion unit(240) to convert a received electromyogram signal into a digital signal, a control unit(260) to generate a control signal for the muscle stimulation electrode drive unit, a display unit(270), a key input unit(280), and a memory unit(290).

Description

Urinary incontinence treatment device {URINARY AND FECAL INCONTINENCE CURER}

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the urinary incontinence treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the urinary incontinence treatment device of FIG.

3 is a schematic flowchart of the controller of FIG. 1.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

120: pressure sensor 130: EMG detection / myoelectric electrode

140: EMG detection electrode 150: EMG electrode

155: electrode wiring 200: device body

210: input signal preprocessor 215: pelvic floor muscle

220: EMG signal preprocessor 225: anal sphincter

230: Near stimulation electrode drive unit 240: A / D converter

260: control unit 270: display unit

280: key input section 290: memory section

The present invention relates to a urinary incontinence treatment device having a pressure sensor and an electromagnetic stimulator. Specifically, EMG (Electromyography) is used to set a target point of muscle activity and to directly stimulate the pelvic floor muscles. The present invention relates to a urinary incontinence treatment device that strengthens muscle strength and enables effective biofeedback training.

Urinary incontinence is an impaired control of the bladder and urethral sphincter, in which the pressure in the bladder exceeds the maximum urinary resistance, which causes involuntary urinary outflow, and the urinary incontinence that causes involuntary urination to the extent that causes social activities or hygiene problems. It can be defined as a symptom group.

The types of urinary incontinence can be categorized into urge incontinence, stress incontinence and mixed stress & urge incontinence.

Urgent urinary incontinence is due to instability of the detrusor muscle, and when urinating, there is no power to stop urine flow and it is unbearable and involuntary urination.

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when the pressure rises, the abdominal pressure rises suddenly in the state of loosening of the urethral ligament, the spongy sphincter, the perineum muscle and the anal sphincter, and the urine of 50 ml or less leaks. Sneezing, laughing, lifting things, running, blowing, intense exercise, impatience, excitement, rushing upstairs, and suddenly standing up.

Mixed urinary incontinence is an urinary incontinence in which the symptoms of urge incontinence and stress urinary incontinence are mixed.

In general, urinary incontinence is more common among women than men. In modern society, where women are increasingly entering the society and the elderly population is rapidly increasing, the psychosocial and economic impact of incontinence on women is very serious. Accordingly, interest in the examination and treatment of urinary incontinence is increasing. The methods of urinary incontinence examination include questionnaires, questionnaires, urinary tract tests, residual urinalysis, urinary kinetic tests, cystoscopy, radiation and ultrasound examinations, urination diaries, and pads. Inspection, vaginal contraction pressure gauge (Perineometer).

Among these urinary and incontinence testing methods, the vaginal contraction pressure gauge is a foreign-manufactured manual (pump) and electronic type, and hospitals and research institutes of universities use this equipment mainly to measure pelvic floor muscle contraction pressure and pelvic floor muscle contraction pressure duration. The effect of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises (Kegel exercises) are measured. However, these measuring devices are difficult to use personally because they are professional and very difficult to operate.

Meanwhile, the treatment of urinary incontinence includes drug treatment, surgical therapy, and non-surgical therapy. Drugs used for drug treatment include anticholinergic drugs, smooth muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants, and the like. Surge surgery, birch surgery, tape TVT surgery, collagen injection, balloon therapy, and the like.

Non-surgical therapy can be divided into physiotherapy and behavioral therapy. Physical therapy includes electro-stimulation therapy, magnetic device treatment, cone cone, heat therapy, magnetic therapy, and feedback using vaginal contraction pressure gauge.

In physiotherapy, electrical stimulation treatment is a method of inducing passive muscle strengthening by applying electrical stimulation to the pelvic muscles, and magnetic device material is a method of passively contracting the pelvic muscles by forming a magnetic field.

Behavioral therapy includes bladder training, Kegel exercises, and biofeedback. Bladder training is a method of urination training according to time, and Kegel exercise is a pelvic muscle exercise designed by Arnold Kegel in 1948. It helps to treat urinary incontinence and muscle by increasing the function and strength of muscle through contraction of pelvic floor muscles. The state is widely applied to exercise.

Recently, the obstetrics and gynecology (TOT) technique, which is a method of putting a bio-tape into the vagina to pull up the urethra and hang the tape on the abdomen, has been widely used.In order to treat incontinence, anal sphincter strengthening or sphincter correction Plastic surgery may be performed.

However, this method of treatment was difficult to directly stimulate the pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincter, quantitatively measure the muscle strength of the pelvic floor muscles. By using it, other abdominal muscles or buttocks muscles may be used during pelvic floor muscle exercise, and this causes a problem of increasing abdominal pressure and worsening urinary incontinence.

In addition, in the method using the biofeedback, it is difficult to efficiently exercise the urinary incontinence because it is difficult to exercise the exercise by searching for the reference activity of the muscle and setting the exact target activity.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to insert the urinary incontinence treatment device by inserting a direct electromagnetic field stimulation to the muscle can be effectively strengthened, and quantitatively measure the muscle strength of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter muscle and at the same time using EMG This will enable accurate biofeedback training and provide urinary and incontinence therapy devices that can be treated more safely.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide an adaptive urinary incontinence therapy device that measures the pressure and electromyography of the anal, vaginal, and urinary tract simultaneously with the muscle stimulation, and the degree of muscle stimulation is determined according to the measured EMG signal. will be.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a muscle sensor is measured by directly contacting the pressure sensor, anal sphincter or pelvic floor muscle to be inserted into the anus or vagina to measure pressure in the body cavity, the anal sphincter Or an electrode unit for applying an electrical stimulation signal to the pelvic floor, and a device body for receiving and displaying signals from the pressure sensing sensor and the electrode unit and transmitting the electrical stimulation signal based thereon to the electrode unit. Provide fecal incontinence therapy

Preferably, the device body further comprises display means for receiving signals from the pressure sensor and the electrode portion and displaying the measured values.

Preferably, the display means further displays target activity for the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles.

Preferably, the device main body further includes an A / D converter for converting signals from the pressure sensor and the electrode into digital signals.

Preferably, the device main body further includes a signal control unit for controlling the intensity of the electrical stimulation signal to be transmitted to the electrode unit based on the signal from the pressure sensor and the electrode unit.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the urinary incontinence treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the urinary incontinence treatment device according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor 120, an electromyography detection / muscle stimulating electrode portion 130, and a device main body 200.

The pressure sensor 120 is inserted into the anal or vaginal or urinary tract and detects the pressure in the anal or vaginal or urethra and transmits the pressure to the device main body 200. The pressure sensor 120 may be formed in a rod shape that can be inserted into the anus. In addition, the front portion of the pressure sensor 120 is preferably configured in a conical shape to facilitate insertion into the anus (or vagina).

EMG detection / EMG electrode unit 130 is inserted into the vagina according to the signal from the device main body 200 to electrically stimulate the pelvic floor muscles 215, by detecting the EMG from the pelvic floor muscles (215) main body Transmission to the unit 200. EMG detection / muscle stimulation electrode 130 may be manufactured in the form of a rod that can be inserted into the vagina, it is inserted into the vagina is directly in contact with the pelvic floor muscles (215). The EMG detection / MOT electrode unit 130 is composed of an EMG detection electrode 140 and a muscle stimulation electrode 150. In some cases, the EMG detection electrode 140 and the muscle stimulation electrode 150 are formed as one electrode. It can play a role. In other words, the EMG detection / muscle stimulation electrode unit 130 is composed of an electrically conductive material and performs a function as an electromagnetic field stimulator by transmitting an electrical signal, that is, a microcurrent to the pelvic floor muscle 215, and also, EMG detection / EMG electrode The unit 130 also functions as an electrode for detecting an EMG signal, that is, a muscle force side sensor.

The electrode wire 155 connects the device main body 200 and the pressure sensing sensor 120, the device main body 200, and the EMG detection / muscular stimulation electrode part 130 and exchanges signals therebetween.

Hereinafter, the operation of the urinary incontinence treatment device according to the present invention with reference to FIG.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the urinary incontinence treatment device of FIG.

The urinary incontinence treatment device of FIG. 2 includes a pressure sensor 120, an EMG detection electrode 140, a muscle stimulation electrode 150, a pressure signal preprocessor 210, an EMG signal preprocessor 220, and a muscle stimulation electrode driver ( 230, an A / D converter 240, a controller 260, a controller 260, a display 270, a key input unit 280, and a memory unit 290.

The EMG detection electrode / electro-stimulation electrode unit 130 includes an EMG detection electrode 140 and a muscle stimulation electrode 150. In some cases, the EMG detection electrode 140 and the muscle stimulation electrode 150 are formed of one electrode. Alternatively, or in some cases, the EMG detection electrode 140 and the EMG electrode 150 may be installed depending on the position in the rod-shaped EMG detection / MOT electrode unit 130.

The pressure sensor 120 is inserted into the anus (or the vagina) to detect the pressure in the anus (or the vagina) as an electrical signal. As the pressure sensor 120, a semiconductor pressure sensor, a capacitive pressure sensor, or the like may be used.

The EMG detecting electrode 140 detects EMG from the pelvic floor muscle 215. The EMG detection electrode 140 may use a precipitation electrode or a rod-shaped electrode.

The near stimulation electrode 150 is driven by the near stimulation electrode driver 230 to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles 215 by flowing a microcurrent. The near stimulation electrode 150 may use a precipitation electrode or a rod-shaped electrode, and in some cases, a surface electrode or a separate dish electrode may be used.

The apparatus main body 200 includes a pressure signal preprocessor 210, an EMG signal preprocessor 220, a near stimulus electrode driver 230, an A / D converter 240, a controller 260, a controller 260, and a display. A unit 270, a key input unit 280, and a memory unit 290 are provided.

The pressure signal preprocessor 210 amplifies the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor 120 and removes noise.

The EMG signal preprocessor 220 amplifies the EMG signal received from the EMG detection electrode 140 and removes noise.

The near stimulus electrode driver 230 generates the near stimulus electrode driving signal according to the near stimulus electrode control signal received from the controller to drive the near stimulus electrode 150.

The A / D converter 240 converts the analog pressure signal received from the pressure signal preprocessor 210 into a digital signal and transmits the digital signal to the controller 260, and the analog EMG signal received from the EMG signal preprocessor 220. The signal is converted into a digital signal and transmitted to the controller 260.

The control unit 260 receives the pressure signal from the pressure signal preprocessor 210 via the A / D converter 240, receives the EMG signal from the EMG signal preprocessor 220, and receives the received pressure signal and EMG signal. Transmit to display unit 270. This is a biofeedback, in which the user of the urinary incontinence treatment device displays the active degree of stretching movements of his anus, vaginal and urinary tract from the displayed pressure signal and EMG signal, and the ability of the muscles around the anal, vaginal, bladder (or urethra) ( The pelvic floor muscles or anal sphincter activity) is visually signaled and exercised to treat urinary incontinence. The controller 260 generates the near stimulus electrode control signal of the near stimulation electrode 150 by comparing the received pressure signal, the EMG signal, and the like with a reference value stored in the memory 290.

The key input unit 280 includes an ON / OFF key (not shown), a mode setting key (not shown), a time setting key (not shown), and the like, and transmits the input key value to the controller 260. do.

The on / off key turns on / off the power of the urinary incontinence treatment device.

The time setting key sets the time to use the urinary incontinence treatment device, that is, the stimulation time.

The mode setting key is a key for setting the mode of the urinary incontinence treatment device, and sets the stimulation mode and the detection mode.

The memory unit 290 may store a reference value (normal muscle reference activity) and the like, and may also store a target value. That is, the reference activity of the normal muscle and the target activity in the treatment are stored.

The display unit 270 displays a pressure signal, an EMG signal, and the like received from the controller 260. The display unit 270 displays reference activity and target activity of the pelvic floor muscles or anal sphincter for treating urinary incontinence. The user can directly compare his or her muscle strength and pressure measured by the pressure sensor 120 and the EMG detection / muscle stimulation electrode unit 130 with the activities. If the measured muscle strength and pressure do not reach the target activity, exercise Kegel to re-measure the pressure or strength of your sphincter and pelvic floor muscles.

In this way, urinary incontinence treatment using biofeedback is possible. Biofeedback, which means physiological self-regulation, means sensing a patient's biological response and converting it into a visual, auditory, or sensory signal that the patient sees, hears, and feels to learn by himself. That is, the patient can directly check the strength of his pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincter with a visual means through a display means, and can recognize the difference between the target muscle activity and active treatment such as Kegel exercise.

On the other hand, in patients with severe urinary incontinence, the muscle strength of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter may be lower than the target value even if kegel exercise is performed. The controller 260 of the apparatus main body 200 compares the muscle strength and pressure of the patient measured by the pressure sensor 120 and the EMG detection / muscle stimulation electrode unit 130 with the reference activity and the target activity, which are input in advance. do.

If it is determined through this comparison in the control unit 260 that the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincter muscles does not reach the target value even by Kegel exercise, the control unit 260 transmits a stimulus signal to the EMG detection / muscular electrode unit 130. In addition, the EMG detection / muscle stimulation electrode unit 130 selectively stimulates the pelvic floor and anal sphincter using an electrical stimulation signal.

This directly stimulated pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincter is more contracted than by Kegel exercise, and through this process the muscle strength or pressure of the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles reaches the target value. If the target value is not reached, repeat the above procedure to give biofeedback with continuous stimulation.

The EMG, that is, the electromyography test allows the patient to directly check the degree of muscle contraction during the muscle contraction movement and the effective biofeedback by directly confirming the strength strengthening by the kegel exercise or the electrical stimulation.

In addition, the EMG detection / muscle stimulation electrode unit 130, which functions as an electromagnetic field stimulator, is an implantable type. By stimulating the pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincter directly, it is possible to precisely stimulate the area requiring muscle strength to maximize the treatment effect of urinary incontinence. You can.

3 is a schematic flowchart of the controller of FIG. 1.

In the initialization step, the counter and the like are initialized (S100).

In the initial setting step, according to the signal received from the key input unit 280 to set the stimulation mode setting, time counter setting, the initial near-stimulus signal (S110).

In the step of determining whether to time out, it is determined whether the set stimulus time of the near stimulus has elapsed with the time counter being 0 (S120), and if the time counter is 0, that is, the stimulus time has elapsed, the procedure ends.

In the signal receiving step, the pressure signal, the EMG signal is received (S130).

In the step of determining whether the reference range, the pressure signal, the EMG signal is determined whether the reference range (S140).

In the step of calculating the stimulus control signal, in the step of determining whether it is within the reference range, if the pressure signal and the EMG signal are not within the reference range, the muscle stimulation control signal is calculated based on the difference between the reference signal and the difference between the EMG signal and the EMG signal input in the signal receiving step (S150).

In the near stimulus control signal output step, the near stimulus control signal is output (S160), one time counter is decremented (subtracted) (S170), and the process returns to the time end determination step.

The present invention can not only treat urinary and fecal incontinence by using biofeedback or electrical stimulation, but also use it continuously after surgery to evaluate and strengthen muscle strength of pelvic floor and anal sphincter. You can. By doing so, it is possible to prevent, diagnose and evaluate urinary incontinence.

The present invention has been described above in connection with specific embodiments of the present invention, but this is only an example and the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can change or modify the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and such changes or modifications are within the scope of the present invention. In addition, each component described in the present specification can be easily selected and replaced from various known components by those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art can also omit some of the components described herein without adding performance degradation or add components to improve performance. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined not by the embodiments described, but by the claims and their equivalents.

As described above, according to the present invention, the urinary incontinence treatment device can be inserted into an implantable magnetic field to directly enhance muscle strength, and use EMG while quantitatively measuring muscle strength of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter. This enables accurate biofeedback training and safer treatment.

In addition, the present invention, while simultaneously measuring the pressure and electromyography of the anal, vaginal, urinary tract and muscle stimulation at the same time, the degree of muscle stimulation is determined according to the measured EMG signal can be adaptively treated according to the user's condition urinary incontinence treatment device To provide.

In addition, the present invention enables effective treatment of urinary incontinence through direct electrical stimulation to biofeedback or pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincter, where the patient directly checks his / her strength and pressure and thus performs active kegel exercise.

Claims (12)

A pressure sensor inserted into the anus or vaginal or urinary tract to detect pressure in the anus or vagina or urethra as an electrical signal; EMG detection electrode for detecting the EMG of the pelvic floor muscles; Near stimulation electrode to stimulate the pelvic floor by flowing a microcurrent; A pressure signal preprocessor for amplifying the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor and removing noise; An EMG signal preprocessor for amplifying the EMG signal received from the EMG detection electrode and removing noise; A near stimulation electrode driver for driving the near stimulation electrode; An A / D converter converting the pressure signal received from the pressure signal preprocessor into a digital signal and converting the EMG signal received from the EMG signal preprocessor into a digital signal; A controller configured to generate a near stimulus electrode control signal from the near stimulus electrode driver based on the pressure signal and the electroconductive signal received from the A / D converter; A display unit for receiving and displaying a pressure signal and an EMG signal from the controller; Urinary incontinence treatment device characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 1, The pressure sensor is a rod (rod) type, the front part of the urinary incontinence treatment device, characterized in that the conical shape. The method of claim 1, The urinary tract detection electrode and the urinary incontinence treatment device characterized in that the electrode consisting of one electrode. The method of claim 1, The EMG detection electrode and the EMG electrode are located on one rod-shaped electrode, and the EMG detection electrode 140 and the EMG electrode 150 are installed differently according to the position of the rod (rod) electrode. Urinary incontinence treatment device characterized in that. The method of claim 1, The pressure sensor is a urinary incontinence treatment device, characterized in that the semiconductor pressure sensor or a capacitive pressure sensor. The method of claim 1, The control unit And a urinary incontinence treatment device configured to generate a muscle stimulation electrode control signal based on a difference between the EMG signal and a reference value. The method of claim 1, The urinary incontinence treatment device, characterized in that not only displays the pressure signal, the EMG signal received from the control unit, but also the reference activity and target activity of the pelvic floor or anal sphincter. A pressure sensing sensor inserted into the anus or vagina to measure pressure in the body cavity; EMG detection / muscle stimulation electrode unit for measuring the muscle strength in direct contact with the anal sphincter muscles or pelvic floor muscles and applying an electrical stimulation signal to the anal sphincter muscles or pelvic floor muscles; A main body of the apparatus for receiving and displaying signals from the pressure sensing sensor and the EMG detection / muscular electrode portion, and transmitting an electrical stimulus signal based thereon to the electrode portion; Urinary incontinence treatment device comprising a. The method of claim 8, The apparatus main body further comprises display means for receiving signals from the pressure sensor and the electrode and displaying the measured values. The method of claim 9, The display means, the urinary incontinence treatment device, characterized in that to further display the target activity for the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles. The method of claim 8, The apparatus main body further comprises a control unit for controlling the intensity of the electrical stimulation signal to be transmitted to the electrode unit based on the signal from the pressure sensor and the electrode unit. Determining whether the time counter is zero, and determining whether the time counter is zero; A signal receiving step of receiving a pressure signal and an EMG signal when the time counter is not 0 in the time end determining step; A determination step of determining whether the pressure signal and the EMG signal received in the signal reception step are within a reference range; In the step of determining whether it is within the reference range, if the pressure signal and the EMG signal are not within the reference range, the near stimulus control signal calculation step of calculating the near stimulus control signal based on the difference between the EMG signal and the EMG signal reference value input in the signal receiving step. ; A near stimulus control signal output step of outputting a near stimulus control signal calculated in the step of calculating the near stimulus control signal, decrementing one time counter (subtracting), and returning to the step of determining whether to terminate the time; Control method of the urinary incontinence treatment device characterized in that it comprises a.

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