FR2762983A1 - Vaginal or anal endo=cavity probe - Google Patents

Abstract

The probe is made to be disposed of after a single use, is preferably of a recyclable material, and has an antiseptic covering which is removed prior to use. It comprises an interior tube (1) sliding in an exterior or applicator tube (2), made from a material such as a food-grade cardboard coated with an impermeable film, an elastomer or vinyl-based material. The outer surface of the interior tube carries electrodes (3) in a number and shape determined by the planned use, made from a conducting ink- or paint based material or adhesive metallic film, and are linked to a recording apparatus (5). In addition, the exterior tube has its tip cut to form guides (13) for the interior tube.

Description

DESCRIPTION

  The subject of the present invention is a disposable vaginal or anal endocavitary probe and

  with double function of electro-stimulation and electromyographic recording.

  It applies to the medical field and more specifically to the physiotherapeutic treatment of urinary, anorectal and sexological disorders. It is intended for electrical stimulation of the anterior and posterior vaginal and anal perineal musculature as well as for electromyographic recordings of

  this musculature for therapeutic purposes.

  To date, these two techniques of electrostimulation and myolectric recording are performed with the same probe, at best personal, at a cost of ordering from 200 to 300 French francs, not reimbursed by the Health Insurance Funds. Some therapists, for profit and profitability, tend to use the same and single probe for all their patients, after cold disinfection by immersion in a sterilizing product, but of relative reliability, taking into account the

  viral infections (Hepatitis, HIV ...), bacterial, etc ...

  The device according to the present invention allows these drawbacks to be eliminated. It allows to operate the electrical stimulation and electromyographic recording and to be thrown away after use,

  guaranteeing patients against any risk of infection and limiting the financial cost of treatment.

  It consists of the combination of two non-separable parts: - the inner tube receiving the electrodes connected to stimulation and / or recording apparatus by an electrical connection, - a part called the outer tube or applicator tube, covering the inner tube and

fitting into the latter.

  In the attached diagrams, given by way of nonlimiting examples of embodiments of the invention, and intended to facilitate understanding of the inventive mechanism: FIG. 1 represents the complete probe, with its two modules in the closed position , ready to be

  used, and covered with an antiseptic envelope.

  FIG. 2 represents the complete probe, with its two modules in the open position, in use, FIG. 3 shows the inner tube of the probe,

  Figure 4 shows the outer tube of the probe.

  The device, FIGS. 1 to 4, consists of an inner tube (1) constituting the anterior part of the probe body, an outer tube (2) constituting the posterior part of the probe body, covering the

  Inner tube (1). The inner tube (1) slides in the outer tube or applicator tube (2).

  These two tubes (1) and (2) are made of a material such as food cardboard covered with a waterproof food plastic film and tolerated by the vaginal or anal mucous membranes or in A.B.S. or a derivative,

  or an elastomer or a vinyl derivative. This material will preferably be recyclable.

  The inner tube (1) has on its outer surface electrically conductive electrodes (3) provided with connections (4) which can be connected to a device for stimulation el / or recording recording (5). The electrically conductive electrodes (3), in number and shape determined by the use for which the probe is intended, can be made from electrically conductive materials such as: -an electrically conductive ink or paint, by spraying; -a glued metal sheet; -an electronic type film by printing the contact areas and conductors, allowing a lower financial cost

  of production and a very low cost price.

  The inner tube (1), preferably made of foodboard covered with an impermeable film, has at its proximal end (6) a longitudinal rod (7) through which the electrical targeting ends, terminating in ad hoc connectors. This rod (7) allows the practitioner to hold the probe for introduction into the endocavity orifice, avoiding any contact with the body of said probe. The inner tube (1) is wider in its proximal part (6) than in its distal part (9) to allow locking of the inner tube (1) in the applicator tube (2) during the introduction and reuse of the probe in the endocavitary orifice. The inner tube (1) further has at its proximal end (6) four notches (8) in which will be fixed the four guides (13) of the applicator tube (2). The internal tube (1) once introduced into the endocavitary orifice forms the anterior part of the probe; the rear part of the probe being composed by the outer tube or applicator tube (2). The distal end (9) of the inner tube (1) is

  of rounded shape to allow a good introduction of the probe into the cavity.

  The outer tube or applicator tube (2) is also preferably made of food board, covered with an impermeable film. The applicator tube (2) has, in its proximal part (10), ridged rings (11) which allow the practitioner to hold the applicator tube (2) when the inner tube (1) slides along the rod (7). in the applicator tube (2) to introduce the Inner tube (1) into the endocavitary rorice. The distal end (12) of the applicator tube (2) is rounded in shape for better insertion, easily guiding the inner tube (1) into the cavity. The installation is very hygienic and easy. This distal end (12) of the applicator tube (2) to allow the passage of the Inner tube (1) is cut longitudinally into four equal guides (13) of rounded shape which will serve to guide the inner tube (1) during introduction and block the applicator tube (2) on the inner tube (1) when the latter is introduced into the endocavitary roririce. These guides (13) once entered into the notches (8) cannot be released, rendering the probe unusable another time. An antiseptic envelope (14)

  covers the probe and is torn before using the probe.

  The interest of this probe resides on the one hand in its single use, solving all the problems of diffusion of sexually transmitted diseases, on the other hand in its design as well by its aseptic mode of application as by its ease of installation with its two inner tubes (1) and applicator

exterior (2).

Claims (7)

  1 - Vaginal or anal endocavitary probe, intended for electrical stimulation of the anterior and / or posterior perineal musculature, as well as perineal electromyographic recordings for therapeutic purposes, characterized in that it is for single use only, preferably made of material recyclable,   covered with a detachable antiseptic envelope (14) before use and at a very low cost.   2 - Endocavity probe according to any one of claims 1 characterized in that   that the probe consists of an inner tube (1) sliding in an outer tube or applicator tube (2) made of a material such as foodboard coated with an impermeable film or an elastomer or vinyl derivative   3 - Endocavity probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that   that the internal part (1) penetrating the cavity is made of a material such as food cardboard coated with an impermeable film or an elastomer or vinyl derivative preferably recyclable and comprising on its external surface electrodes (3) in number and in shape determined by the use for which said probe is intended, these electrodes, made from conductive ink or paint, of glued metal sheets, being provided with connection conductors (4) which can be connected to the apparatus   electrical stimulation and / or recording (5).   4 - Endocavitary probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   that the inner tube (1) has at its proximal end (6) a longitudinal rod (7) through which the electrical wiring passes    - Endocavity probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   that the inner tube (1) has a proximal part (6) wider than the distal part (9) for   allow the inner tube (1) to be locked on the outer tube or applicator tube (2).   6 - Endocavitary probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that   that the outer tube or applicator tube (2) present in its cut distal part (12)   longitudinally four guides (13) of rounded shape.   7 - Endocavitary probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that   that the inner tube (1) has at its proximal end (6) four notches (8) in which   fix the guides (13) of the outer tube or applicator tube (2).   8 - Endocavitary probe according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that   that the outer tube or applicator tube (2) has in its proximal part (10) ridged rings (11) making it possible to hold said outer tube or applicator tube (2) during the introduction of the inner tube (1) in the cavity.