Exercise devices – Having specific electrical feature – Monitors exercise parameter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-16
2001-07-24
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Having specific electrical feature
Monitors exercise parameter
C600S546000, C600S595000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264582
ABSTRACT:
The object of the invention is a method for the training of skeletal muscles, in which method a measurement probe is placed on or in the immediate vicinity of one or several muscles, the electrical activity of one or several muscles is measured by a measurement probe and muscle function and condition are followed via the muscle electrical activity.
Presently, measurement probes are used to follow muscle electrical activity and thereby muscle function. While carrying out muscle exercises it is very important that the person doing the exercises gets feedback as clearly as possible already during the exercises. Especially when exercising such muscles about which the function may be difficult to follow or difficult to sense, rapid feedback is central for success of treatment and training. There are several such muscles and muscle groups, including the pelvic floor muscles.
Weakening or injury of the pelvic floor muscles can cause injury incontinence. Urinary incontinence is a condition in which the involuntary leakage of urine becomes a social and hygiene problem. Incontinence is found in about a fifth of persons aged 15-75. In the working age group incontinence is, however, primarily a problem in women. In women suffering from incontinence the problem causes social withdrawal work absenteeism, limitations or activities, marital problems and anxiety. The most common of the urinary disturbances is stress incontinence, in which urine leaks during physical exercise or while straining. Incontinence caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles can be treated surgically, but surgery can be avoided with many non-surgical therapies.
Many exercises for different muscles are carried out under controlled conditions, such as in the clinic or laboratory. This requires health care personnel and precise schedules. Furthermore, the patient must arrive at a specific time. There are also training devices that can be used at home, but the patient does not usually get reliable information about or feed back from the exercise while exercising at home.
The most important treatment and rehabilitation procedure for pelvic floor muscles is the increasing of the strength, speed and function of the pelvic floor muscles through active muscle training. For this purpose different equipment has been developed by which these muscle can be trained in the clinic, laboratory or other similar places. It is important that the incontinence problem gets properly treated by doing simple muscle exercises and repeatedly for a sufficient length of time for a given training session. That the urinary incontinence problem can be treated at home and that exercises can be done in a familiar environment at the patient's convenience is also extremely important.
The goal of the invention is achieved by a method whose characteristics are presented in the claims.
In the method according to the invention auditory feedback is linked to the measurement probe. The auditory feedback enables the user to concentrate on muscle activity and gives feedback during the training session. By taking advantage of the biofeedback equipment in the invention, certain physiological conditions and their changes, of which the patient would otherwise remain unaware, can be detected, followed and altered. In this way the patient can learn to recognize the activity of certain muscle groups and to control their function. The feedback develops self guidance mechanisms at the same time. For auditory feedback, any sound considered appropriate for the purpose can be used.
In the preferred application of the invention is the use of voice as a guidance for auditory feedback. In principle, virtually anybody can closely follow the verbally given instructions, which allows treatment and training to be carried out in the intended fashion to improve the condition of target muscles. Another advantage is that in addition to instructions, words of encouragement can be added, motivating the patient and improving compliance with treatment and training.
The invention can be advantageously applied so that health care personnel can control the measurement probe. The microprocessor in the probe allows the care giver programs the desired treatment and training program. This allows the treatment and training exercises to be individually tailored to the needs of each patient. The probe has a memory unit and calendar for following the programmed protocols. Information from the training sessions that are carried out are saved in the memory for review during a follow-up visit to the clinic. It is also possible to take advantage of various other methods of data transfer for sending training session information to the clinic, and similarly, to allow updating or changing of the treatment and training programs.
In a favorable adaptation of a method compatible with the invention, the method is used for the treatment of urinary incontinence. For this purpose the measurement probe is placed into the vagina, the electrical activity of the pelvic floor muscles is measured and the pelvic floor muscles undergo training. The activity of pelvic floor muscles is hard for the patient to recognize without reliable equipment and measuring probes. In the recognition of the activity of these muscles and in their exercising it is important to get feedback during the entire training session in order to achieve a training effect. When using a method compatible with the invention, feedback about muscle activity is given at all times, allowing active exercising of these muscles in a programmed and pre-selected way.
The invention can be favorably applied to give visual feed back to allow recognition of muscle activity. A monitor or equivalent is used for following treatment and training sessions and for evaluating muscle condition. This kind of visual equipment can form part of the treatment and training equipment. The equipment can be used at home or health care personnel can use it in the clinic, laboratory or other similar places.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5474083 (1995-12-01), Church et al.
patent: 5538486 (1996-07-01), France et al.
patent: 6063046 (2000-05-01), Allum
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Richman Glenn E.
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