EP2919867B1 - Pelvic floor training device - Google Patents

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. Well-trained pelvic floor muscles, for example, are important for ensuring continence in women and men.

It is for example from the publication EP 1747048A1 a 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 publication WO2004 / 045411 discloses another pelvic floor exerciser. This integrated in a chair training device is very complex to use, is in terms of pressure detection inaccurate, and is also usually only used in urological practices.

The publication WO2006 / 061176 discloses a pelvic floor exerciser having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is to form a more advantageous training device for training human 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 of 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 comprising a pressure receiving device for detecting the muscle power the pressure receiving device comprises a pressure or force measuring device and a hollow body extending in a longitudinal direction, the hollow body comprising an upper fixed end part, a lower fixed end part and a spacer element, wherein the upper end part and the lower end part are held mutually spaced by the spacer element, wherein the spacer element extends in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the hollow body comprises a flexible outer shell which connects the upper end part with the lower end part such that a closed interior is formed within w elchem 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 to be transferred via the diaphragm seal on the pressure or force measuring device.

The inventive training device for training human pelvic floor muscles includes a seat part and 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 inserted, 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 to clean the pressure receiving device. 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 projecting height of the pressure receiving device can be varied over the seat. 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 configured adapted to one, the seat part facing side of the recess of the seat part, and on the opposite side has a shape adapted to the human body, and, for example, similar to the anatomy of the human body part, which sits on the seat part, adapted designed. 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 training device according to the invention lies in the fact that a training person can also exercise fully clothed with the training device in which the training person sits on the seat part dressed. 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

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Druckaufnahmevorrichtung;

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt durch Figur 1 entlang der Schnittlinie A-A;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines Distanzhalteelementes;

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch Figur 3 entlang der Schnittlinie B-B;

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht einer Druckmessvorrichtung;

Fig. 6

einen Längsschnitt durch die in Figur 5 dargestellte Druckmessvorrichtung entlang der Schnittlinie C-C;

Fig. 7a

schematisch einen Längsschnitt durch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Gehäuses mit Distanzhalteelementen;

Fig. 7b

schematisch eine Draufsicht auf Figur 7a;

Fig. 8

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Druckmessvorrichtung;

Fig. 9

einen Längsschnitt durch eine stabförmige Druckaufnahmevorrichtung;

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht der in Figur 9 dargestellten Druckaufnahmevorrichtung;

Fig. 11

eine Draufsicht auf ein Trainingsgerät;

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht des in Figur 11 dargestellten Trainingsgerätes;

Fig. 13

einen Schnitt durch Figur 11 entlang der Schnittlinie D-D;

Fig. 14

einen Schnitt durch Figur 11, senkrecht zur Druckaufnahmevorrichtung;

Fig. 15

schematisch eine Trackingvorrichtung.

The drawings used to explain the embodiments show:

Fig. 1

a side view of a pressure receiving device;

Fig. 2

a longitudinal section through FIG. 1 along the section line AA;

Fig. 3

a side view of a spacer element;

Fig. 4

a cross section through FIG. 3 along the section line BB;

Fig. 5

a side view of a pressure measuring device;

Fig. 6

a longitudinal section through the in FIG. 5 illustrated pressure measuring device along the section line CC;

Fig. 7a

schematically a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a housing with spacer elements;

Fig. 7b

schematically a plan view Figure 7a ;

Fig. 8

schematically a side view of another pressure measuring device;

Fig. 9

a longitudinal section through a rod-shaped pressure receiving device;

Fig. 10

a side view of in FIG. 9 illustrated pressure receiving device;

Fig. 11

a plan view of a training device;

Fig. 12

a perspective view of the in FIG. 11 illustrated exercise device;

Fig. 13

a cut through FIG. 11 along the section line DD;

Fig. 14

a cut through FIG. 11 , perpendicular to the pressure receiving device;

Fig. 15

schematically 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 in a side view and FIG. 2 The pressure-receiving device 1 comprises a hollow body 3 extending in a longitudinal direction L, the hollow body 3 comprising an upper fixed end part 3c, a lower fixed end part 3d and a spacer element 3e, the upper end part 3c and the lower end part 3d are held mutually spaced by the spacer member 3e, with the spacer member 3e extending in the longitudinal direction L. The hollow body 3 comprises a flexible outer shell 3a which connects the upper end part 3c to the lower end part 3d in such a way that a closed, in particular a fluid-tight, closed interior 3b forms, 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 pressure 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. A closed interior 3b is understood to mean an interior 3b which is closed towards the outside in such a way that the pressure averager, ie the gel material 4a, the elastic multi-component material 4a or the liquid material 4a, which is located in the interior 3b, does not come out of the device 1 towards the outside can escape. At least when using a fluid as a pressure transmitter, the interior 3b is thus fluid tightly closed. In FIG. 2 For example, the lower end part 3d has an opening 3p, which is designed as an internal thread, into which the pressure measuring device 7 is screwed. The pressure measuring device 7 is connected to the opening 3p and / or sealed so that no leakage of the pressure transmitter is possible via the opening 3p.
The hollow body 3 thus encloses a closed interior 3b, whereby possible passages in the upper and / or lower end part 3c, 3d, for example for electrically conductive cables or as in FIG. 2 shown for attaching 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 FIG. 3 in a side view and in FIG. 4 is shown in detail in a section along the section line BB, is configured as a hollow tube with wall openings 3f, for example, circular wall openings 3f, and comprises above and below a mounting portion 3o, which, as in FIG. 2 are fixedly connected to the upper end part 3c and the lower end part 3d, respectively, to hold the two end parts 3c, 3d at a mutual defined distance. The wall openings 3f or wall passages can be configured in a variety of forms to form a pressure-conducting connection to the pressure or force measuring device 7 starting from the flexible outer shell 3a with the aid of the material 3b located in the interior 3b, eg a gel material 4a.

As in FIG. 2 shown is the pressure or force measuring device 7 introduced from below through the lower end portion 3d in the interior of the spacer element 3e, wherein the pressure or force measuring device 7 is screwed to the lower end portion 3d and thereby held firmly. The pressure or force measuring device 7 is in the Figures 5 and 6 shown in detail, where FIG. 5 a side view shows and FIG. 6 a section along the section line CC. How out FIG. 6 the pressure and force measuring device 7 comprises a flexible hollow body 7a with inner space 7b extending in the direction M, wherein the flexible hollow body 7a on the right has an upper end portion 7c which is firmly 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. A 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. 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 surface extending at which the second liquid material 7h 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 in FIG. 2 represented electronic unit 5 connected. 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 the range between 10 and 20. As the liquid material 7h, for example, an oil is used.

In a preferred embodiment, the force measuring device 7, as in FIG. 2 represented along the entire length L of the inner space 3b and also along the lower end part 3d, wherein the portion 7k extends only within the inner space 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 in FIG. 2 shown, along the middle or along the axis L. The force measuring device 7 is preferably arranged as shown centered 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 in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown, 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 In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the flexible outer shell 3a is 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. These elastic, perceived by the body part as pleasant properties have the advantage that arise no pressure points on the directly or indirectly adjacent body part. A hard outer shell 3a could cause pressure points on an adjacent part of the body, which could mean that the pelvic floor muscle is not or only incompletely performed because of the unpleasant feeling that occurs and / or because of the pain that occurs. 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. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention thus has the advantage that the above-mentioned properties of the outer sheath 3a can be set or predetermined beforehand via the filling pressure of the pressure transmitter.

FIG. 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, an electronic unit 5 is preferably also arranged, which is connected via the cable 8 with the force transducer 2. For example, the pressure receiving device 1 can be mounted on a wall via the mounting surface 6b. Not shown in FIG. 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 configured the same as in the FIGS. 2 to 6 shown, unlike the in FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment is designed completely rod-shaped. In FIG. 9 the housing is not shown in full length.

Figure 7a shows schematically and partially only indicated a section through and FIG. 7b 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 extend in the direction L and connect the upper end portion 3c with the lower end portion 3d. The spacer element 3e can be made in a variety of ways to effect this spacing.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a spacer element 3e and a pressure or force measuring device 7 by a plurality of force sensors 2 in the longitudinal direction L are mutually spaced 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 in FIG. 9 shown pressure receiving device 1, wherein in FIG. 10 the housing 6 is shown in full length. FIG. 11 shows an 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 the in FIG. 11 The seat part 21 has two seats 21 a, between which a recess 21 c is inserted to receive the pressure receiving device 1. FIG. 13 shows a section along the section line DD according to FIG. 11 , The recess 21 c is so deep recessed in the seat part 21 and configured adapted with respect to the geometric configuration of the pressure receiving device 1, 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 loosely inserted into the seat part 21.
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 in FIG. 13 shown, 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 rests. 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 located 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 21 c is preferably as in the FIGS. 11 to 14 illustrated, at least partially positively designed with respect to the pressure receiving device 1, 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 a further possible embodiment, however, the pressure-receiving device 1 can also be firmly connected to the seat part 21.

FIG. 14 shows a section through the in FIG. 11 illustrated exercise device 20, perpendicular to the pressure receiving device 1. The pressure receiving device 1 is inserted into the recess 21c, so that the pressure receiving device 1 protrudes partially over the seat surface 21a. In one possible embodiment, a plurality of seat parts 21 are provided, with different deep recesses 21c, so that it can be determined via an appropriate choice of one of the seat parts 21, in which the pressure receiving device 1 is inserted, to what extent the pressure receiving device 1 projects beyond the seat surface 21a, or for example in an inclined seat 21a, like the Pressure receiving device 1 with respect to the seat 21 a runs. In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible outer shell 3a, as in FIG. 14 exemplified, have an anatomically adapted outer shape. However, the anatomical shape can also, as in FIG. 14 represented, 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 is cylindrical. On the hollow body 3, the support member 19 is placed and can be replaced. In one possible embodiment, the support part 19 could also be firmly connected to the 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. The pressure receiving device 1 is connected via a connecting cable 24b to a computer 24. The computer 24 is connected to the screen via a connection cable 24b. A training person sits on the seat part 21, looks at the screen 22, and sees there a setpoint course 23 and the currently measured actual value 23a as a function of time.

The pelvic floor training device is advantageously operated such that a desired value 23 for the muscle 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 actual value 23a and setpoint value 23 is output. Advantageously, as in FIG. 15 represented a desired value curve 23 as a function of time and displayed on a display device 22. The actual value 23a is measured by the pressure receiving device and as a 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 means of a corresponding contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and thereby exercise the pelvic floor muscles in a targeted and monitorable manner. With the in FIG. 15 shown tracking device can be given a variety of training programs or from different setpoint curves. In addition, a training progress can be displayed.

Claims (14)

1. A 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 seated, comprising a seat part (21), and comprising a pressure sensor (1) for detecting the muscle force, wherein the pressure sensor (1) comprises a pressure-measuring or force-measuring device (7) and also a hollow body (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), wherein the hollow body (3) comprises a flexible outer sheath (3a), and wherein the inner space (3b) of the hollow body (3) contains a gel material, an elastic multi-component material or a liquid material (4a) that acts as pressure mediator, wherein the seat part (21) and the pressure sensor (1) are designed matching each other in such a way that the hollow body (3) protrudes at least partially above a seat surface (21a) of the seat part (21), characterized in that the hollow body (3) comprises an upper fixed end part (3c), a lower fixed end part (3d) and a spacer element (3e), wherein the upper end part (3c) and the lower end part (3d) are held spaced apart from each other by the spacer element (3e) and the spacer element (3e) extends in the longitudinal direction (L), and in that the flexible outer sheath (3a) of the hollow body (3) connects the upper end part (3c) to the lower end part (3d) in such a way that a closed inner space (3b) forms within which the spacer element (3e) is also arranged, in that the pressure-measuring or force-measuring device (7) extends in the longitudinal direction (L) at least partially within the inner space (3b) in order to transmit the pressure from the outer sheath (3a) to the pressure-measuring or force-measuring device (7) via the pressure mediator, in that the seat part (21) and the pressure sensor (1) are designed as separate units that can be joined together and separated again, and in that the seat part (21) has a depression (21c) into which the hollow body (3) can be placed in such a way that the hollow body (3) protrudes partially above the seat surface (21a) of the seat part (21).
2. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the depression (21c) is designed matching the outer contour of the hollow body (3), so that the hollow body (3) lies flat in the depression (21c).
3. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the seat surface (21a) extends obliquely.
4. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force-measuring device (7) extends at least along the entire length (L) of the inner space (3b).
5. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure-measuring or force-measuring device (7) extends along the center of the hollow body (3).
6. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer element (3e) is designed as a hollow tube with wall openings (3f), and in that the pressure-measuring or force-measuring device (7) is arranged extending inside the spacer element (3e).
7. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the spacer element (3e) extends along the center axis of the hollow body (3).
8. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible outer sheath (3a) is designed in the shape of a hollow cylinder.
9. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible outer sheath (3a) has an anatomically adapted outer shape.
10. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that a preferably exchangeable add-on part (19) is provided which is designed in such a way that it can be attached to the hollow body (3) in a manner extending in the longitudinal direction of the latter.
11. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hardness or the pliability of the flexible outer sheath (3a) can be determined via the pressure of the pressure mediator.
12. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the flexible outer sheath (3a) has a Shore hardness in the range of between 20 and 90.
13. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure-measuring or force-measuring device (7) comprises a force transducer (2) and a flexible hollow body (7a) which extends rectilinearly in the direction of extent (M) and has an inner space (7b), in that the inner space (7b) is closed and contains a second liquid material (7h), and in that the force transducer (2) is coupled to the inner space (7b) in a manner perpendicular to the direction of extent (M) in order to measure the pressure of the second liquid material (7h).
14. The pelvic floor training device as claimed in one of claims 1 through 11, characterized in that the pressure-measuring or force-measuring device (7) comprises a plurality of force transducers (2) which are arranged, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (L), on the spacer element (3e).

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