EP2919867A1

EP2919867A1 - Pelvic floor training device

Info

Publication number: EP2919867A1
Application number: EP12798184.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernhard Brinkhaus; Marco Schuurmans Stekhoven
Original assignee: MSYS AG
Current assignee: MSYS AG
Priority date: 2012-11-14
Filing date: 2012-11-14
Publication date: 2015-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-14
Also published as: JP2016505288A; BR112015010857A2; EP2919867B1; JP6047663B2; CN104780984B; KR20150061036A; DK2919867T3; KR101625963B1; ES2632991T3; US9878207B2; CN104780984A; WO2014075712A1; US20150273270A1; BR112015010857B1

Abstract

The training device (20) for training human pelvic floor muscles, intended to be placed for training externally onto the human body directly or indirectly between the two ischial bones while sitting, comprises a seat part (21) and a pressure sensor device (1) for detecting the muscle force.

Description

PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISE DEVICE

description

The invention relates to a pelvic floor training device according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Pelvic floor training devices are used to train the muscles of the pelvic floor of a human. A well-trained

For example, pelvic floor muscles are important for ensuring continence in women and men.

It is, for example, from document EP 1747048A1

Training device for training the pelvic floor muscles known. This very well-proven exercise device has the disadvantage that the applied force can not be measured so accurately.

The document WO2004 / 04541 1 discloses another

Pelvic floor training device. This integrated in a chair

Exercise machine is very expensive to use, is regarding

Pressure collection inaccurate, and is also usually only used in urological practices. Presentation of the invention

Object of the present invention, it is a more advantageous

Training device for training human

To form pelvic floor muscles. This object is achieved with a training device comprising the features of claim 1. The dependent claims 2 to 14 relate to further advantageous embodiments.

The object is particularly achieved with a training device for training human pelvic floor muscles, which is provided for training for external investment in the human body directly or indirectly between the two seatbones sitting, comprising a seat part and a comprehensive

A pressure-receiving device for detecting the muscular force, the pressure-receiving device comprises a pressure or force measuring device and a longitudinally extending hollow body, the hollow body having an upper fixed end portion, a lower fixed end portion and a spacer member, wherein the upper end portion and the lower end portion via the spacer element are held mutually spaced, wherein the

Distance holding member extends in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the hollow body comprises a flexible outer shell, which connects the upper end portion with the lower end portion such that forms a closed interior space within which also the spacer element is arranged, wherein the interior of the

Hollow body contains a gel, an elastic multi-component or a liquid material, which acts as a pressure transmitter, and wherein the pressure or force measuring device in the longitudinal direction extends at least partially in the interior to the pressure of the outer shell on the diaphragm seal on the pressure or

To transfer force measuring device. The inventive training device for training of

human pelvic floor muscles includes a seat part as well as a Pressure-sensing device for detecting muscle strength. In an advantageous embodiment, the seat part has a recess into which the pressure receiving device can be placed, wherein the recess and the pressure receiving device are configured mutually adapted so that the hollow body of the pressure receiving device projects at least partially over the seat surface of the seat part. This embodiment has the advantage that the pressure receiving device can be easily removed from the seat part, for example around the

To clean pressure receptacle. However, it may prove to be advantageous to have several seat parts with different depths recesses for the pressure receiving device. This makes it possible that, depending on the seat part used, the above the seat protruding height of

Pressure receiving device can be varied. The hollow body is designed rod-shaped in a preferred embodiment, and has a hollow cylindrical portion. However, the hollow body could also have an outer contour, which is designed adapted to the one, the seat part facing side of the recess of the seat part, and on the opposite thereto

Side has a shape adapted to the human body, and designed, for example, similar to the anatomy of the human body part sitting on the seat part, adapted. The training device according to the invention has the advantage that the forces caused by the human pelvic floor muscle can be measured reliably and reproducibly. In addition, the training device can be cleaned easily. In addition, the training device can be easily adapted to differently shaped human body by a corresponding combination of seat part and / or pressure receiving device. In one possible application, the pressure receiving device may be directly against the skin of a training person. However, a particular advantage of the inventive training device lies in the fact that a training person also fully clothed with the

Training device can train in which the training person dressed on the seat part. There is thus no intimate contact between the training person and the pressure-receiving device, which makes the use of the training device much easier. The invention will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings used to explain the embodiments show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a pressure receiving device;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through FIG. 1 along the section line A-A; FIG. 3 is a side view of a spacer element;

4 shows a cross section through FIG. 3 along the section line B-B; Fig. 5 is a side view of a pressure measuring device;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through that shown in Figure 5

Pressure measuring device along the section line C-C;

Fig. 7a schematically a longitudinal section through another

Embodiment of a housing with

Distance holding members;

FIG. 7b is a schematic plan view of FIG. 7a; FIG.

Fig. 8 shows schematically a side view of another

Pressure measuring device; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through a rod-shaped

Pressure recording device;

10 is a side view of that shown in FIG

Pressure recording device;

Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of a training device;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of that shown in Figure 1 1

Training device;

13 is a section through Figure 1 1 along the section line D-

D;

Fig. 14 is a section through Figure 1 1, perpendicular to

Pressure recording device;

Fig. 15 schematically shows a tracking device.

Basically, the same parts are given the same reference numerals in the drawings.

Ways to carry out the invention

Fig. 1 shows a side view and Figure 2 in a longitudinal section along the section line A-A, a pressure receiving device 1. The pressure receiving device 1 comprises a in a

The hollow body 3 comprises an upper fixed end portion 3c, a lower fixed end portion 3d and a spacer member 3e, wherein the upper end portion 3c and the lower end portion 3d are held mutually spaced by the spacer member 3e, with the spacer member 3e extends in the longitudinal direction L. The hollow body 3 comprises a flexible outer shell 3a, which connects the upper end part 3c with the lower end part 3d in such a way that a closed, in particular a fluid-tight, closed interior 3b is formed, within which the spacer element 3e is also arranged. The Outer shell 3a is designed such that it can be applied directly or indirectly to the human body. The upper and lower end portions 3c, 3d are of particular importance for accurate measurement, since the upper and lower end portions 3c, 3d are fixed or rigid and prevent evasion or enlargement of the inner space 3b in the direction L. The device 1 also includes a printing or

Force measuring device 7, which extends in the longitudinal direction L in the interior 3b. The interior 3b of the hollow body 3 contains

or is filled with a gel material 4a, a multi-component elastic material 4a or a

Liquid material 4a, which acts as a pressure transmitter to transfer the pressure from the outer shell 3a via the diaphragm seal on the pressure or force measuring device 7. Under a

closed interior 3b is an interior 3b understood, which is closed against the outside such that the pressure transmitter, i. the gel material 4a, the elastic multi-component material 4a or the liquid material 4a, which is located in the interior 3b, can not escape from the device 1 to the outside. At least when using a fluid as a pressure transmitter, the interior 3b is thus fluid tightly closed. In FIG. 2, the lower end part 3d has an opening 3p, which acts as a

Internal thread is configured, in which the pressure measuring device 7 is screwed. The pressure measuring device 7 is so with the

Opening 3p connected and / or sealed, that on the opening 3p no leakage of the diaphragm seal is possible.

The hollow body 3 thus encloses a closed interior 3b, wherein any passages in the upper and / or lower end part 3c, 3d, for example, for electrically conductive cable or as shown in Figure 2 for securing the pressure measuring device 7, sealed are to form a closed interior, from which the diaphragm seal can not escape.

The spacer element 3e, which in Figure 3 in a

Side view and in Figure 4 in a section along the

Section line B-B is shown in detail, is as a hollow tube with

Wall openings 3f, for example, circular wall openings 3f configured, and includes a top and bottom one

Attachment portion 3o, which, as shown in Figure 2, with the upper end portion 3c and the lower end portion 3d are firmly connected to hold the two end portions 3c, 3d in a mutual defined distance. The wall openings 3f or

Wall passages may be configured in a variety of shapes to extend from the flexible outer shell 3a by means of the material in the interior 3b, e.g. a gel material 4a, a

Pressure conductive connection to the pressure or force measuring device 7 form.

As shown in Figure 2, the pressure or force measuring device 7 from below through the lower end portion 3d in the interior of the

Distance holding element 3e introduced, the pressure or

Force measuring device 7 is screwed to the lower end part 3d and thereby held firmly. The pressure or force measuring device 7 is shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6, wherein Figure 5 shows a side view and Figure 6 shows a section along the section line C-C. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the printing and printing process comprises

Force measuring device 7 extending in the direction M, flexible hollow body 7 a with inner space 7 b, wherein the flexible

Hollow body 7a right has an upper end portion 7c which is fixedly connected to an upper end 7d and preferably fluid. The opening of the upper end 7d is with a Screw 7e closed. The flexible hollow body 7a has on the left a lower end portion 7f which is fixedly connected to a lower end 7g and preferably fluid. One

Force transducer 2 is arranged in the lower end 7g, wherein the lower end 7g has a fluid-conducting channel 7i which connects the inner space 7b with the force transducer 2. Of the

Interior 2b and the fluid-conducting channel 2i is filled with a second fluid material 7h. The force transducer 2 has a perpendicular to the direction M extending surface on which the second liquid material 7 h is applied, so that the

Force transducer 2 is coupled perpendicular to the direction M to the interior 7b to measure the pressure of the second liquid material 7h. The force transducer 2 is connected via a cable 8 with the electronics unit 5 shown in FIG. The wall of the flexible, tubular hollow body 7a transmits an external compressive force applied along the section 7k to the liquid 7h present in the interior 7b, the force transducer 2 measuring the pressure or the force caused by the fluid 7h on the force transducer 2. The hollow body 7a can transmit the force from outside to outside only along the section 7k, since the hollow body 7a abuts along the upper end section 7c and along the lower end section 7f at the upper end 7d and at the lower end 7g, respectively. Among other things, the screw 7e serves to completely fill the interior 7b with the liquid 7h and to seal the interior 7b again tightly thereafter. In an advantageous embodiment, the portion 7k of the flexible hollow body 7a, in particular due to the second liquid material 7h, a Shore hardness in

Range between 10 and 20 on. As the liquid material 7h, for example, an oil is used. In a preferred embodiment, the force measuring device 7, as shown in Figure 2, along the entire length L of

Interior 3b and also along the lower end part 3d, wherein the portion 7k extends only within the interior 3b. In a further embodiment, the force measuring device 7 could also be designed such that it does not run along the entire length L of the inner space 3b, but for example only half the length L, or for example to three quarters of the length L. In the most preferred embodiment runs the

Force measuring device 7, as shown in Figure 2, along the middle or along the axis L. The force measuring device 7 is preferably centered as shown with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the voltage applied to the flexible outer shell 3a forces are uniformly transmitted to the pressure or force measuring device 7 , However, the pressure or force measuring device 7 could also be arranged eccentrically running in the interior 7b.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the flexible

Outer shell 3a, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, designed as a hollow cylinder. The flexible outer shell 3a is preferably made of silicone, rubber or rubber. The acting as a pressure-medium gel material 4a, the elastic multi-component material 4a or the liquid material 4a transmits the pressure from the outer shell 3a on the pressure or force measuring device 7. The diaphragm seal is filled when filling into the interior 3b advantageously with a predetermined pressure, so that the pressure transmitter in a rest state, that is without a force acting on the outer shell 3a force, having a predetermined pressure. The predetermined filling pressure of the pressure transmitter influences the hardness or the flexibility of the flexible outer casing 3a. In a particularly advantageous embodiment is the flexible

Outer shell 3a selected from such a material and / or the predetermined pressure of the pressure transmitter is selected such that the flexible outer shell 3a has a Shore hardness in the range between 20 and 90. This makes it possible, inter alia, to achieve the following: On the one hand, the flexible outer shell 3a should feel comfortable for the adjacent body part, which is achieved by the flexible outer shell 3a or the pressure transmitter having certain elastic properties. This elastic, from the

Body part as pleasant perceived properties have the advantage that is attached to the directly or indirectly

Body part no pressure points arise. A hard outer shell 3a could cause pressure points on an adjacent body part, which could result in that the training of the pelvic floor muscle is not performed at all or only incompletely due to the unpleasant feeling that arises and / or to the reason

occurring pain. The avoidance of such pressure points is therefore of crucial importance for the training of the pelvic floor muscle. On the other hand, it is particularly advantageous if the diameter of the flexible outer shell 3a changes only slightly with larger forces acting, because it is difficult for the fitting on the outer shell 3a body site a large force on the outer shell 3a to cause the smaller the diameter of the flexible Outer shell 3a becomes. The erfmdungsgemässe

Device has in a particularly advantageous embodiment thus has the advantage that on the filling pressure of the pressure transmitter, the aforementioned properties of the outer shell 3a are adjustable or previously determined. Figure 2 also shows a pressure receiving device 1 with a housing 6 with a mounting surface 6b, the lower fixed Section 3d part of the housing 6 forms. The lower fixed portion 3d is arranged such that the hollow body 3 is substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface 6b. In the housing 6 is

preferably also arranged an electronic unit 5, which is connected via the cable 8 with the force transducer 2. The pressure receiving device 1, for example, via the

Mounting surface 6b are mounted on a wall. Not shown in Figure 2 is a seat part 21 which could be pushed under the pressure receiving device 1. FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a pressure-receiving device 1, which, otherwise of the same configuration as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. In Figure 9, the housing is not shown in full length.

Figure 7a shows schematically and partially only hinted a

Section through and Figure 7b is a plan view of a housing 6 with hole 6c and recess 6d. The spacer element 3e is formed in the illustrated example of four rods, which in

Course L extend and connect the upper end portion 3c with the lower end portion 3d. The spacer member 3e may be made in a variety of ways to these

Distance keeping effect. FIG. 8 schematically shows a spacer element 3e and a pressure or force measuring device 7 in which a plurality of force transducers 2 are arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction L on the spacer element 3e. Each load cell 2 is signal-conducting connected to the electronic unit, so that the pressure applied by the diaphragm seal in the interior 3b pressure is measurable. FIG. 10 shows a side view of that shown in FIG

Pressure-receiving device 1, wherein in Figure 10, the housing 6 is shown in full length. FIG. 11 shows a

Embodiment of a training device 20 comprising a seat part 21 in which the pressure receiving device 1 is arranged.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of that in FIG

illustrated exercise device 20. The seat part 21 has two

Sitting surfaces 21 a, between which a recess 21 c is inserted to receive the pressure receiving device 1. Figure 13 shows a section along the section line D-D according to Figure 1 1. The recess 21c is so deep recessed in the seat part 21 and so with respect to the geometric configuration of

Pressure receiving device 1 designed adapted that the hollow body 3 and in particular the elastic outer shell 3 a protrude at least partially over the seat surface 21 a of the seat part 21.

Particularly advantageously, the training device 20 is configured such that the seat part 21 and the pressure receiving device 1 are configured as separate units, which are joined together and again separable. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the pressure receiving device 1 is loose in the seat part 21st

inserted.

The recess 21 c of the seat part 21 is advantageously designed such that the hollow body 3 can be put into it, such that the hollow body 3 protrudes partially over the seat surface 21 a of the seat part 21. In an advantageous embodiment, the recess 21c runs opposite to the outer contour of the hollow body 3, so that, as shown in Figure 13, the hollow body 3 lies flat in the recess 21c, and in particular the elastic outer shell 3a along at least a partial length of the recess 21c.

Advantageously, the recess 21c is corresponding to the Outer contour of the elastic outer shell 3a, so that preferably the entire or approximately the entire lying in the recess 21a part of the outer shell 3a rests flat against the recess 21a. This embodiment has the advantage that the position of the part of the outer shell 3a situated in the recess 21a is precisely defined, so that the pressure forces acting on the remaining part of the outer shell 3a can be measured particularly accurately, reproducibly and / or with little disturbance. The recess 21c is preferably, as shown in Figures 1 1 to 14, at least partially positive fit with respect to the

Pressure receiving device 1 configured, which results in the advantage that the pressure receiving device 1 is arranged in a defined position in the seat part 21. This is particularly advantageous if the pressure receiving device 1 is designed as a separate part of the seat part 21 and the pressure receiving device 1 and the seat part 21 can be replaced. In another possible embodiment, the

Pressure-receiving device 1, however, also be fixed and in particular also inseparably connected to the seat part 21.

FIG. 14 shows a section through the training device 20 shown in FIG. 11 perpendicular to the pressure-receiving device 1. The pressure-receiving device 1 is inserted into the recess 21b, so that the pressure-receiving device 1 partially projects beyond the seat surface 21a. In one possible embodiment, a

Are provided plurality of seat parts 21, with different deep recesses 21b, so that can be determined via an appropriate choice of one of the seat parts 21, in which the pressure receiving device 1 is inserted, as far as the

Pressure receiving device 1 projects beyond the seat surface 21 a, or, for example, at an inclined seat surface 21 a, the Pressure receiving device 1 with respect to the seat 21a extends. In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible outer shell 3a, as exemplified in Figure 14, have an anatomically adapted outer shape. However, the anatomical shape can also, as shown in Figure 14, be configured as a separate support member 19, and for example, consist of a flexible silicone. In FIG. 14, the outer shell of the hollow body 3

cylindrically shaped. On the hollow body 3, the support member 19 is placed and can be replaced. In a possible embodiment, the support member 19 could also be fixed to the

Be connected hollow body 3.

FIG. 15 schematically shows the pelvic floor training device 20 in connection with a tracking device comprising a computer 24 and a screen 22

Pressure receiving device 1 is connected via a connecting cable 24 b to a computer 24. The computer 24 is over

Connecting cable 24b connected to the screen. A

Training person sitting on the seat part 21, looking at the screen 22, and sees there a setpoint curve 23 and the currently measured actual value 23a as a function of time.

The pelvic floor training device is advantageously operated in such a way that a desired value 23 for the muscular tension of the

Pelvic floor muscle is specified that an actual value 23a is measured with the pressure receiving device 1, and that the actual value 23a and / or the difference between the actual value 23a and setpoint 23 is output. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 15, a setpoint course 23 is predetermined as a function of time and displayed on a display device 22. The actual value 23a is determined by the

Pressure sensing device measured and in function of time the display device 22 is shown so that the deviation between the actual value and target value is displayed visibly. The

Training person can thus follow the target value by a corresponding contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and thereby train the pelvic floor muscles targeted and monitorable. With the tracking device shown in FIG. 15, a multiplicity of training programs or different setpoint courses can be specified. In addition, a training progress can be displayed.

Claims

1. Training device (20) for training human

Pelvic floor muscles, which is intended for training for external investment in the human body directly or indirectly between the two seatbones sitting, comprising

Seat part (21) and comprising a pressure receiving device (1) for detecting the muscular force, wherein the

Pressure receiving device (1) a pressure or

Force measuring device (7) and in a longitudinal direction (L) extending hollow body (3), wherein the hollow body (3) has an upper fixed end portion (3c), a lower fixed end portion (3d) and a spacer member (3e), wherein the upper end part (3c) and the lower end part (3d) over the

Distance support member (3e) are held mutually spaced, wherein the spacer holding member (3e) in the longitudinal direction (L) extends, and wherein the hollow body (3) comprises a flexible outer shell (3a), which the upper end portion (3c) with the lower end portion (3d) connects that forms a closed interior (3b) within which the spacer element (3e) is arranged, wherein the interior (3b) of the hollow body (3) is a gel, a flexible Mehrkomponenten- or a

Liquid material (4a) which acts as a pressure transmitter, and wherein the pressure or force measuring device (7) in

Lateral direction (L) at least partially in the interior (3b) extends to transmit the pressure from the outer shell (3a) via the diaphragm seal on the pressure or force measuring device (7).

2. pelvic floor training device according to claim 1, characterized

in that the force-measuring device (7) extends at least along the entire length (L) of the inner space (3b).

3. pelvic floor training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure or

Force measuring device (7) along the center of the hollow body (3) extends.

4. pelvic floor training device according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the

Distance holding member (3e) is designed as a hollow tube with wall openings (3f), and that the pressure or force measuring device (7) within the spacer element (3e) extending

is arranged.

5. pelvic floor training device according to claim 4, characterized

in that the spacer-holding element (3e) runs along the central axis of the hollow body (3).

6. pelvic floor training apparatus according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the flexible outer shell (3a) is designed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

7. Pelvic floor exerciser according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the flexible outer shell (3a) has an anatomically adapted outer shape.

8. pelvic floor training device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a preferably replaceable support member (19) is provided, which is configured such that this in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body (3) extending on this can be placed.

9. pelvic floor training apparatus according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the hardness or the flexibility of the flexible outer shell (3a) can be determined by the pressure of the pressure transmitter.

10. pelvic floor training device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the flexible outer shell (3a) has a Shore hardness in the range between 20 and 90.

1 1. pelvic floor training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure or

Force measuring device (7) a force transducer (2) and a straight line in the direction (M) extending, flexible

Hollow body (7a) with an inner space (7b) comprises that the inner space (7b) is closed and a second

Liquid material (7h) contains, and that the force transducer (2) perpendicular to the direction of travel (M) to the interior (7b)

is coupled to measure the pressure of the second liquid material (7h).

12. pelvic floor training device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the pressure or

Force measuring device (7) comprises a plurality of force transducer (2), which in the longitudinal direction (L) mutually spaced on the spacer holding member (3e) are arranged.

13. pelvic floor training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat part (21) and the

Pressure receiving device (1) are designed mutually adapted so that the hollow body (3) at least partially over a seat surface (21 a) of the seat part (21) protrudes.

14. pelvic floor training device according to claim 13, characterized

characterized in that the seat part (21) and the

Pressure receiving device (1) are designed as separate units, which are joined and disconnected again.

15. pelvic floor training device according to claim 14, characterized

in that the seat part (21) has a recess (21c) into which the hollow body (3) can be placed, in such a way that the hollow body (3) partially projects beyond the seat surface (21a) of the seat part (21).

16. pelvic floor training device according to claim 15, characterized

characterized in that the recess (21c) opposite to the

Outer contour of the hollow body (3) is designed to extend, so that the hollow body (3) lies flat in the recess (21c).

17. pelvic floor training device comprising a plurality of

Seat parts (21) with recesses (21c) of different depths, in order to determine, by an appropriate choice of a seat part (21), the projection of the pressure-receiving device (1) over the seat surface (21a).

18. Method for operating a pelvic floor training device

according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that a set value for the muscle tension of the pelvic floor muscle is given, that an actual value is measured with the pressure receiving device (1), and that the difference between the actual value and setpoint is output.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that a desired value course as a function of time is predetermined and displayed on a display device (22), and that the actual value of the pressure receiving device (1) is measured and as a function of time on the display device (22). is displayed so that the deviation between the actual value and the setpoint is visibly displayed.