System and method for optimizing pelvic floor muscle training
Inventors
Iglesias, Ramon Jose • Mishelevich, David J. • Nash, Sean C. • Schaefer, Kaitlin B. • Lokre, Jahnavi • Trcka, Milan V. • Patel, Himanshu • Zwierstra, Jan B. • Dunlop, Trevor • Gifford, Aaron
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11426625-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for optimizing a patient's Kegel exercises is provided. The system includes a user interface device and a vaginal device. The vaginal device includes an intra-vaginal probe having an accelerometer that is configured to generate a signal in response to movement of the probe. The user interface device is connected to the vaginal device and analyzes signals from the accelerometer to provide physiological feedback information to the patient. The vaginal device may be connected to the user interface device via wireless communications such as BLUETOOTH® or by wire. The user interface device may be a smart device or a computer that transmits information to central web-based data server accessible by the patient or authorized healthcare providers or third-party payers.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for optimizing a patient’s pelvic floor muscle exercise. The system includes a user interface device having a graphical user interface configured to run a computer implemented application with visual and/or auditory feedback features, and an intravaginal device sized for insertion into the patient’s vagina that includes a plurality of accelerometers positioned along a length of the device. The intravaginal device generates signals in response to movement of the accelerometers during performance of the pelvic floor exercise.
The user interface device is configured to receive and analyze the signals wirelessly from the intravaginal device using the application. The application displays a positional image comprising a line on the graphical user interface that corresponds to the position of the patient’s vagina generated by the accelerometers. The positional image corresponds to a lift maneuver when the line rotates from right to left and corresponds to a bearing down movement when the line rotates from left to right.
The application is configured to display and record a change in indicia over time, where the indicia correspond to the positional image generated by the accelerometers prior to and during performance of the pelvic floor exercise, and the recorded indicia further comprise a session date, session time, maximum lift time, and session duration time. Using visual and/or auditory feedback features, the application provides physiological feedback information to the patient based on a change in the positional image over time and a duration of time during which the positional image reflects performance of the lift maneuver.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim. It includes multiple inventive features centered on intravaginal accelerometer-based sensing, wireless signal analysis by a graphical application, positional image lift versus bearing-down discrimination, recorded session indicia over time, and feedback that encourages specific pelvic floor muscle exercise behaviors to optimize lift duration.
Intravaginal accelerometer device generating motion signals for pelvic floor exercise
An intravaginal device comprising a plurality of accelerometers positioned along a length of the device, wherein the intravaginal device is sized for insertion into the patient's vagina and generates signals in response to movement of the accelerometers.
Wirelessly connected graphical user interface application for receiving and analyzing signals
A user interface device comprising a graphical user interface configured to run a computer implemented application comprising visual and/or auditory feedback features, wherein the user interface device is wirelessly connected to the intravaginal device and configured to receive and analyze the signals from the intravaginal device using the application.
Positional image line mapped to lift versus bearing-down based on rotation direction
The application configured to display a positional image comprising a line on the graphical user interface that corresponds to the position of the patient's vagina that is generated by the accelerometers of the intravaginal device during performance of the pelvic floor exercise, wherein the positional image corresponds to a lift maneuver when the line rotates from right to left and wherein the positional image corresponds to a bearing down movement when the line rotates from left to right.
Recorded indicia over time including session date, session time, maximum lift time, and session duration time
The application configured to display and record a change in indicia over time, wherein the indicia correspond to the positional image that is generated by the accelerometers prior to and during performance of the pelvic floor exercise, and wherein the recorded indicia further comprise a session date, session time, maximum lift time, and session duration time.
Physiological feedback based on change in positional image and duration reflecting lift maneuver
The application configured to provide physiological feedback information to the patient using the visual and/or auditory feedback features based on a change in the positional image over time and a duration of time during which the positional image reflects performance of the lift maneuver.
Feedback encouraging strengthening by increasing lift duration while limiting harmful activation
The physiological feedback information and the recorded indicia encourage the patient to activate pelvic floor muscles in a manner that strengthens the pelvic floor, limit activation of pelvic floor muscles in a manner that harms the pelvic floor, and increase the duration of time during which activation of the lift maneuver of the pelvic floor muscles that strengthen the pelvic floor is maintained, thereby optimizing the pelvic floor muscle exercise.
Across the provided independent claim, the core coverage is an intravaginal accelerometer device whose signals are wirelessly analyzed by a graphical application to render a positional-line image that differentiates lift maneuver versus bearing-down via rotation direction, record session-based indicia over time, and provide visual and/or auditory physiological feedback encouraging strengthening while limiting harmful activation and optimizing lift duration.
Stated Advantages
Optimizing the pelvic floor muscle exercise by increasing the duration of time during which activation of the lift maneuver is maintained.
Encouraging strengthening of the pelvic floor by activating pelvic floor muscles in a manner that strengthens the pelvic floor.
Limiting activation of pelvic floor muscles in a manner that harms the pelvic floor.
Documented Applications
Pelvic floor muscle exercise optimization using an intravaginal accelerometer system with visual and/or auditory physiological feedback and recorded session indicia.
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