Surgery – Body rests – supports or positioners for therapeutic purpose
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-25
2004-03-02
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body rests, supports or positioners for therapeutic purpose
C600S038000, C297S325000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06698431
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for supporting a human body preferably during an intimate activity.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
According to a study published in The Journal of American Medical Association, about 43 percent of woman and 31 percent of men regularly experience sexual dysfunction (JAMA, Feb. 10, 1999). The reported sexual dysfunctions include lack of interest in sex, problems with arousal, problems related to climaxing and ejaculation, pain during intercourse, not enjoying sex, and anxiety about sexual performance.
Sexual dysfunctions can be classified as life long, acquired, and situational. Life long sexual dysfunctions have always been present. Acquired sexual dysfunctions start due to physical or emotional problems at some point in the life of a person, who was able to function previously without the dysfunction. Situational sexual dysfunctions occur in some situations, but do not occur in other situations. Sexual dysfunction may also arise from ignorance or misinformation, due to poor communication or deterioration of a relationship, due to organic causes, or due to psychiatric illnesses.
There are different types of sexual disorders in both females and males. The American Psychiatric Association in their recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV, 4th ed., Brandon/Hill, 1994) defined and classified at least the following sexual disorders in females and males: Female Sexual Arousal Disorder, Female Orgasmic Disorder, Vaginismus, Erectile Dysfunction, Male Orgasmic Disorder, and Premature Ejaculation.
Female Sexual Arousal Disorder is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain arousal until completion of sexual activity. It is the inhibition or lack of general arousal and may include abnormal lubrication and swelling response. The woman with Female Sexual Arousal disorder does not adequately lubricate, her vagina does not expand, and she usually does not feel erotic sensations. Some of the most common causes of this dysfunction are guilt, anger and hostility.
Female Orgasmic Disorder is defined as a persistent or recurrent delay in, or absence of, orgasm in a female following a normal sexual excitement phase. Women exhibit wide variability in the type or intensity of stimulation that triggers orgasm. The diagnosis of Female Orgasmic Disorder is based on a clinician's judgment that the woman's orgasmic capacity is less than would be reasonable for an average woman of her age, sexual experience, and the adequacy of sexual stimulation she receives. Causes of Female Orgasmic Disorder include open or suppressed anger or hostility toward her partner, grief, or ineffective sexual techniques. Other causes of this dysfunction include familial, cultural or religious teachings that lead the woman to avoid or discourage effective sexual stimulation. Sometimes partners simply do not know how to give or receive effective stimulation.
Vaginismus is defined as a recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse. The original cause of this dysfunction is frequently an adversive stimulus (such as a traumatic assault or intercourse, or painful pelvic examination), pelvic disease or unconscious fear or guilt.
Male Erectile Dysfunction is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a persistent or recurrent inability to attain, or maintain adequate erection until completion of the sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction is also due to the impairment of the erectile reflex. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) can have organic (i.e., medical) causes or psychological causes. Among the most common medical causes are diabetes or other endocrine problems, nerve dysfunction such as spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, vascular disease, medications including antihypertensive, centrally acting, sedative and psychotropic medications. Alcohol and drug abuse also commonly lead to this sexual dysfunction. Anxiety seems to be the most likely psychological cause of erectile dysfunction.
Male Orgasmic Disorder is defined as a persistent or recurrent involuntary delay in, or absence of, orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase during sexual activity that a clinician, taking into account the person's age, judges to be adequate in focus, intensity, and duration. This disorder is fairly rare. Premature Ejaculation is defined as persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation or before, on, or shortly after penetration and before person wishes it. Premature Ejaculation rarely has a physical cause (such as infection of the urethra and prostate, neglected gonorrhea, or an overly tight uncircumcised foreskin) but usually a psychological cause.
Additionally, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual describes Inhibited Sexual Desire in males or females as another disorder, but strictly speaking not a sexual dysfunction. This disorder can severely disrupt the sexual relationship of a couple. Inhibited Sexual Desire is defined as a persistent or recurrent deficiency (or absence) in sexual fantasies and no desire for sexual activity. Both physical and psychological factors contribute to Inhibited Sexual Desire and similar disorders such as Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Sexual Aversion Disorder. Physical causes include hormone deficiencies, depression, stress, alcoholism, kidney failure and chronic illness. Psychological causes include relationship problems (power struggles, conflict, hostility), sexual trauma, death of a family member, or negative memories
The treatment of the above-described sexual dysfunctions (or disorders) can focus on medical therapy and/or psychotherapy. Medical therapy focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of underlying physical causes (such as diabetes, hormone deficiencies, depression, alcoholism, kidney failure, chronic illness or medication use). Specific medical treatments commonly used to treat sexual dysfunction and impotence include drug therapy (such as testosterone or Viagra), vacuum constriction devices (VCDs), penile injection therapy with vasoactive drugs, and penile prostheses. Psychotherapy and behavior therapy is used to resolve sexual dysfunction caused by emotional and mental problems.
A suitable environment may play an important role in treating the above described dysfunctions or disorders. Many people have physical constrains that may limit their sexual or intimate relationship with their partner in bed. Beds are the principal place for intimate or sexual activity, but they may have for many people limitations for several reasons. Beds are designed for sleeping and not specifically for engaging in intimacy, foreplay, lovemaking and intercourse, all of which are an occasional secondary function. In general, a two-dimensional mattress offers a limited opportunity for positioning and sustaining the human torso and limbs in sexually exciting and pleasurable positions. Usually, both partners are being supported on the same wide horizontal surface, which restricts easily achievable and sustainable angles of penetration.
Furthermore, beds require people to be mostly in a supine position for sexual intercourse and usually require one person to support the other's weight, or if not, for the other person to be kneeling or squatting. Many people, especially those that are overweight, or those who suffer certain physical disabilities, find it difficult or uncomfortable to engage in sexual intercourse while supporting the weight of their partner in a supine position. Other people have difficulty kneeling or squatting for any duration of time.
Since beds are primarily designed for sleeping, there may be an initial miscommunication between partners. One partner may be prepared for sleeping, while the other may wish to engage in intimate activities. Unless there is communication and agreement between partners, bed can be a source of sexual confusion, frustration and dissatisfaction, which can contribute to th
Harris Richard M.
Horita Sean
Rogers David C.
Brown Michael A.
Compass Institute, Inc.
Zitkovsky Ivan D.
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