U.S. patent application number 15/019657 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders.
This patent application is currently assigned to UK DO-i Co., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is UK DO-i Co., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kyung II KIM, Gi Bum OH.
Application Number | 20160166833 15/019657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53174010 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160166833 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OH; Gi Bum ; et al. |
June 16, 2016 |
SEATING APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DIAGNOSING AND
CURING URINARY INCONTINENCE, ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AND DEFECATION
DISORDERS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a seating apparatus for the
diagnosis and treatment, and more particularly, to a seating
apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and curing
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
which enables to diagnose symptoms of urinary incontinence,
erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders by measuring
contraction pressure and contraction duration of pelvic floor
muscles, muscles of perineum and anal sphincters of a user, who
puts on cloth while seated, simultaneously with curing symptoms of
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
throughout biofeedback exercise and training.
Inventors: |
OH; Gi Bum; (Seoul, KR)
; KIM; Kyung II; (Busan, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UK DO-i Co., LTD. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
UK DO-i Co., LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
53174010 |
Appl. No.: |
15/019657 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14082076 |
Nov 15, 2013 |
9283385 |
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15019657 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
601/49 ; 607/3;
607/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/501 20130101;
A61H 2201/5061 20130101; A61N 5/0603 20130101; A61H 19/30 20130101;
A61H 21/00 20130101; A61N 2005/0608 20130101; A61H 23/02 20130101;
A61F 7/007 20130101; A61H 2203/0425 20130101; A61H 23/04 20130101;
A61H 2201/10 20130101; A61H 9/0078 20130101; A61H 2201/0157
20130101; A61H 2205/086 20130101; A61H 23/00 20130101; A61N 1/36007
20130101; A61H 2201/5071 20130101; A61F 2007/0074 20130101; A61F
7/12 20130101; A61N 2005/061 20130101; A61F 2007/0091 20130101;
A61H 2201/5048 20130101; A61H 2201/1633 20130101; A61H 2201/5097
20130101; A61H 2205/085 20130101; A61H 23/006 20130101; A61H
2201/169 20130101; A61H 2201/5046 20130101; A61F 2007/0048
20130101; A61H 2201/0228 20130101; A61H 2230/65 20130101; A61N
2005/0611 20130101; A61H 2201/5002 20130101; A61H 19/40
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61N 1/36 20060101
A61N001/36; A61H 21/00 20060101 A61H021/00; A61N 5/06 20060101
A61N005/06; A61H 23/02 20060101 A61H023/02; A61F 7/12 20060101
A61F007/12; A61F 7/00 20060101 A61F007/00 |
Claims
1. A seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of urinary
incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
comprising: a main case; a seat configured to connect to the upper
side of the main case and to form a through hole; a contact-type
air probe sensor module configured to be housed within the main
case by penetrating the through hole of the seat to make the top of
the contact-type air probe sensor module protrude toward the upper
side of the seat, the contact-type air probe sensor module being
configured to measure contraction pressure and contraction duration
of pelvic floor muscles, muscles of the perineum and anal
sphincters of a user while the contact-type air probe sensor module
being moved up and down and expanded by air, and the contact-type
air probe sensor module being configured to induce contraction and
relaxation of the user; an air generation module, equipped with an
air outlet, wherein the air generation module configured to be
fixed to the inside of the main case and to supply air to the
contact-type air probe sensor module; an implantable air probe
sensor connected to the air outlet of the air generation module, a
control module configured to be fixed to the inside of the main
case, to control the apparatus in accordance with a control
instruction to measure contraction pressure and contraction
duration of pelvic floor muscles, muscles of perineum and anal
sphincters for obtaining and outputting first values measured by
the apparatus in order to diagnose urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders by using an input value,
measured from the air generation module, and control the apparatus
to measure bio-electrical impedance of pelvic floor muscles and
anal sphincters on a basis of signals for obtaining and outputting
second values measured by the apparatus; an implantable electric
probe sensor inputting the signals to the control module; a power
module, said power module equipped with a power plug to the outer
surface of the main case; an interface module, which is installed
to the outer surface of the main case and is configured to connect
to the implantable electric probe sensor and the implantable air
probe sensor by electrically combining the control module and the
power module; and and a display module, said display module
configured to display the first and second values outputted from
said control module and said implantable electric probe sensor and
the implantable air probe sensor by electrically connecting to said
control module and the power module while accessing said interface
module, and to transfer the inputted control instruction to said
control module, wherein the contact-type air probe sensor module
comprises: a frame configured to form a first air tube hole to the
side; a lifting member configured to form a second air tube hole to
the side and to move up and down in the frame; an air bag,
installed at the bottom of the lifting member in the frame,
configured to be expanded by air, supplied from the air generation
module, and to move up the lifting member; and a contact-type probe
sensor, made up of transparent or translucent elastic material,
configured to be the form of streamline for adhering to pelvic
floor muscles, muscles of perineum and anal sphincters of a user
upon expansion by air supplied from the air generation module, and
to fix the bottom by means of the top of the lifting member and
clamping rings.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the implantable
electric probe sensor is configured to connect to the interface
module, to be outputted by the control module with measured
bio-electrical impedance of pelvic floor muscles and anal
sphincters of a user for diagnosing urinary incontinence and
erectile dysfunction with power source of the power module, and to
output current which enforces contraction and relaxation of pelvic
floor muscles and anal sphincters of a user in accordance with
regulation of the control module.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the implantable air
probe sensor is configured to mechanically combine with the air
outlet of the air generation module, to measure contraction
pressure and contraction duration of pelvic floor muscles and anal
sphincters of a user by being expanded by air while accessing to
the interface module, and to induce contraction and relaxation.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main case, made
up of synthetic resins or metal, comprises a handle in a front side
thereof, a support at the bottom thereof, and a storage groove for
storing the display module, the implantable electric probe sensor
and the implantable air probe sensor to one side thereof.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seat further
includes a heater installed inside said main case; and a back
configured to be folded in the rear of the main case.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said contact-type
air probe sensor module further includes: a light source, installed
inside of said lifting member, configured to generate light for
activating a physiological function of a body of the user; and a
vibration-generating motor, installed in one side of said lifting
member, configured to generate vibration.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air generation
module comprises: an air pump configured to generate air; a
distribution terminal configured to distribute air generated from
the air pump; an air blocking valve configured to connect to one
side of the distribution terminal; a first air tube, made up of
flexible material, configured to expand the contact-type probe
sensor by penetrating an air tube hole formed in the air blocking
valve and the frame of the contact-type air probe sensor module and
combining to the second air tube hole of the lifting member; a
second air tube, made up of flexible material, configured to expand
the air bag by penetrating the air tube hole formed in the air
blocking valve and the frame of the contact-type air probe sensor
module and combining to the air bag; a third air tube connected to
one side of the distribution terminal; a fourth air tube configured
to interconnecting the air blocking valve and the air outlet; and a
pressure sensor configured to connect to one end of the third air
tube, and to output an input value by means of the control module
with measured pressure which is electrically connected to the
control module.
8. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the implantable
electric probe sensor further includes: a heater configured to
generate heat; a light source configured to generate light for
activating a physiological function of a body of the user; and a
vibration-generating motor configured to generate vibration.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control module
further includes a first wireless communication equipment
configured to communicate with the display module based on wireless
data, and wherein said display module further includes a second
wireless communication equipment configured to communicate with the
control module based on wireless data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/082,076 filed Nov. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a seating apparatus for
diagnosis and treatment, and more particularly, to a seating
apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and curing
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
which enables to diagnose symptoms of urinary incontinence,
erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders by measuring
contraction pressure and contraction duration of pelvic floor
muscles, muscles of perineum and anal sphincters of a user, who
puts on cloth while seated, simultaneously with curing symptoms of
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
throughout biofeedback exercise and training.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0003] Urinary incontinence is a control problem of bladder and
urethral sphincter, wherein urethral pressure normally exceeds
bladder pressure, resulting in involuntary leakage of urine. It can
be defined as a syndrome which means more than urination, causing
involuntary urination visibly and preventing social activities or
sanitation.
[0004] Types of urinary incontinence are urge incontinence, stress
incontinence, and mixed stress & urge incontinence.
[0005] Urge incontinence is caused by instability of detrusor
muscle. While feeling the urge to urinate, urge incontinence is
involuntarily generated because there is no power to stop and bear
the flow of urine.
[0006] Stress incontinence comes from increased intra-abdominal
pressure, wherein insufficient strength of urethral ligaments,
bulbocavernous muscles, transverses perinei muscles and anal
sphincters increase intra-abdominal pressure, resulting in leakage
of urine, under 50 ml. There are various kinds of reasons for
increasing intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing,
laughing, bearing down, running, nose blowing, rough exercise,
impatience, excited condition, going up stairs quickly, sudden
uprising, etc.
[0007] Mixed stress & urge incontinence refers to urinary
incontinence in combination of urge incontinence and stress
incontinence, due to reduction in tensile force of stress
incontinence and detrusor muscle.
[0008] Generally, urinary incontinence happens to women more than
men. The number of employed women is increasing more and more, and
aging population is rapidly going up. Therefore, urinary
incontinence gives women severe damage in terms of mental, social
and economic sides. First of all, as for economic aspects,
according to a report in U.S.A. in 1989, expenses for urinary
incontinence treatment exceeded $10 billion, larger than those for
AIDS treatment. It implies that urinary incontinence causes many
economic problems.
[0009] As for physical damage, external genitals get wet all the
time, resulting in fungal infections and contact dermatitis. As for
mental damage, anxiety, tension and shame are due to unpleasant
odor, disrupting personal relations and social activities. Also,
negative impacts on self-concept and self-esteem cause mental
disorders such as depression or emotional alienation.
[0010] Moreover, it has been revealed that the excessive increase
of pelvic structure due to pregnancy and delivery weakens
contractile force of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles), causing
erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. It was reported that
90 percent of people avoid sexual performance more than once
because of urinary incontinence, and more than 80 percent of women
with severe symptom keep away from sexual performance. Urinary
incontinence is a formidable disease of disrupting marital relation
as well as causing inconvenience in daily life.
[0011] Urinary incontinence is diagnosed by medical examination by
interview, questionnaire, uroflometer, residual urine test,
urodynamic study, cystoscopy, radiographic and ultrasonic
inspection, micturition chart, pad inspection, perineometer, etc.
Among them, the perineometer, foreign-made, is divided into manual
(pump) operation and automatic operation, and measures symptoms of
urinary incontinence and effects of exercise for strengthening
pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercise) by measuring contraction
pressure and duration of pelvic floor muscles in hospitals and
research facilities in colleges. However, it is the problem that
the perineometer needs professional knowledge. Thus, it is
difficult for people to operate the perineometer.
[0012] Urinary incontinence is cured by medications, surgery,
nonsurgical method, etc. Medications include anticholinergic drugs,
smooth muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressant, etc. And, types
of surgery are Sling operation, Burch operation, TVT (Tension-free
vaginal tape), collagen injection, balloon treatment, etc.
[0013] There are physiotherapy and behavior therapy in nonsurgical
treatments. Physiotherapy has electrical stimulation, transcranial
magnetic stimulation, vaginal cone, hyperthermia, magnetic
stimulation, perineometer feedback, etc.
[0014] Among them, the electrical stimulation refers to a method
for inducing passive muscle strengthening by applying electrical
stimulation to pelvic floor muscles; and the transcranial magnetic
stimulation refers to a method for passively contracting pelvic
floor muscles with magnetic field. Behavior therapy refers to
bladder training, Kegel exercise, biofeedback, etc.
[0015] Bladder training means manual expression of bladder urine on
time. Kegel exercise indicates pelvic muscle training designed by
Arnold Kegel in 1948, widely used in curing urinary incontinence
and muscles by improving functions and strengthening of muscles
throughout contraction of pelvic floor muscles. Since pelvic floor
muscles (vagina muscles) are not often used, it is important to
exercise muscles in the right way. When exercising pelvic floor
muscles, abdominal or hip muscles besides pelvic muscles may be
used and then, this causes increased abdominal pressure and worse
urinary incontinence.
[0016] Biofeedback refers to physiological self-regulation, which
is one of behavior treatment based on learning through
reinforcement, suggested by B. P. Skinner, wherein a patient
realizes what he sees, hears and feels himself by detecting his
physiological responses and converting them into visual, auditory
and sensible signals.
[0017] In addition, erectile dysfunction is divided into symptoms
of female and male. There are sexual desire disorder, sexual
arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder and dyspareunia in female
erectile dysfunction.
[0018] In addition, there are premature ejaculation, impotence,
painful ejaculation, prostatic disease and hyposexuality in male
erectile dysfunction.
[0019] First, premature ejaculation, one of male erectile
dysfunction, has no medically certain definition, but it is defined
that 50 percent of total sexual intercourse occurs when a man
cannot control ejaculation and expels semen soon before a female
partner feels satisfaction. Generally, 40 percent of adult men have
this symptom. Premature ejaculation is a prevalent sexual
dysfunction in men, accounting for 60.about.70 percent of patients
who visit urological department. Although there may be statistical
differences, it often occurs among high educational people and city
dwellers. Recently, it is rapidly increasing among the young.
[0020] The main reason for premature ejaculation may have been
considered as mental problems, but the exact reason has not been
disclosed. Mental conflicts, worries, early sex activity, coitus
interrupts by concern for pregnancy, masturbation, and abnormal
feeling of glans may be the reasons. These can be diagnosed by
self-approach to sexual function, behavioral approach,
psychological approach, medical examination by interview, physical
examination, biothesiometry, penile color Doppler ultrasound,
Rigiscan and ejaculatory duct sensitivity test.
[0021] The treatments of premature ejaculation are behavior
therapy, medications, local application method, self-injection for
blood vessel expansion, penile dorsal neurectomy, autogenous dermis
graft, transcranial magnetic stimulation of inside and outside of
body, anal sphincters biofeedback therapy, oriental medicine and
oriental suppository.
[0022] Next, impotence is defined as inability to develop or
maintain an erection of the penis during sexual performance. 52
percent of adult men, over 40s, suffer from this symptom. The
reasons are mental problems, aging, diseases, drug side effects,
alcohol and smoking.
[0023] Impotence IS diagnosed by medical history, medical
examination by interview, International Index of Erectile Function
(IIEF), physical examination, hormone examination, penile erection
induction reaction test, transrectal ultrasonography, penile color
Doppler ultrasound, dynamic infusion cavernosometry and
cavernosography, penile arteriography, Rigiscan, snap gauge, visual
stimulation examination and electromyography. Also, the treatments
of impotence include psychiatric therapy, medications, penile
vascular surgery, penile vascular reconstructive surgery, penile
vein ligation for venogenic impotence, penile prosthesis,
self-injection for blood vessel expansion, penile vacuum
constriction device, trans cranial magnetic stimulation of inside
and outside of body, anal sphincters biofeedback therapy, oriental
medicine and oriental suppository.
[0024] Next, there is sexual disorder which comes from prostatic
disease.
[0025] Located at the bottom face of bladder between pubic bones
and rectum, prostate is fixed to bladder neck, on the top,
urogenital diaphoretic, at the low side, and puboprostatic ligament
in front, and is deeply situated in pelvic cavity. It is an
approximately 20-gram chestnut-shaped organ surrounding posterior
urethra in a form of wheels, and is a sex organ only existed in
males. Urethra is obliquely penetrating toward the front side of
the prostate. Also, both ejaculatory ducts are passing through
parenchyma at the back of the urethra. Divided into three glandular
lobes, the parenchyma of the prostate is composed of tract
vesicular structures whose types are glandular tissue and
interstitium, wherein a middle lobe is upper than a penetrated part
of the ejaculatory ducts and a side lobe is in the right and left
of the urethra. In addition, the prostate provides sperm in
testicle with nutrition by producing 30 percent of semen and helps
fertility of sperm throughout liquefying ejaculated semen and
reinforcing sperm motility. Also, alkaline prostatic fluid has an
important role in sperm, namely, helping sperm to reach to oviduct
for fertilization throughout neutralizing the inside of strong acid
vagina.
[0026] Meanwhile, diseases related to the prostate are classified
into prostatitis, prostatomegaly and prostate cancer. Among
prostate diseases, prostatitis mostly occurs in Koreans more than
Westerners and the frequency of prostate cancer is relatively low.
However, the frequency of prostatomegaly and prostate cancer has
been gradually increased due to western lifestyle and the increase
of aging population.
[0027] First, prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. 30
percent of men in their 20s to 50s suffer from the prostatitis; 50
percent of men experience once in their lives; and this is the most
common disease that 25 percent of patients who visit urological
department suffer from. There are acute and chronic bacterial
prostatitis, chronic noninfectious prostatitis and
prostatodynia.
[0028] Symptoms of prostatitis are micturition disorders, such as
residual urine, urmary frequency, nocturia, pyuria and narrow
voiding stream, and male erectile dysfunctions, such as unpleasant
feeling and pain in lower abdomen and perineum, backache,
didymalgia, dysuria, whole muscle pain, painful ejaculation,
premature ejaculation and impotence.
[0029] Further, prostatitis is diagnosed by papation test,
inflammatory cell test, bacterial culture, uroflowmetry test,
cystoscope test, prostate ultrasonography, color Doppler
ultrasound, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Treatments of
prostatitis include special antibiotics, anticholinergic drugs,
alpha blocker, hormone drugs, skeletal muscle relaxants, medicine
injection into prostate, neurodepressive therapy, microwave
thermotherapy, sacral nerve stimulation, transurethral needle
ablation (TUNA), oriental medicine, oriental suppository,
anti-inflammatory analgesic drug, prostate massage, sitz bath in
warm water, thermal massage, low frequency electrical stimulation,
trans cranial magnetic stimulation of inside and outside of body,
biofeedback exercise, pelvic exercise and diet therapy.
[0030] However, prostatitis is considered as a chronic disease
because it is often hard to find out causative organisms and
reasons for prostatitis; there is a limit (about 60 percent, cured)
to cure with medicine due to no medicinal penetration of prostate,
consisting of special cells; and it is frequently recurred even
after symptoms are alleviated. Accordingly, since many patients
long for treatment in various ways, not only the efficiency of
occupation is declined due to physical, economical and mental
exhaustion, but the quality of life is remarkably endangered.
[0031] Next, prostatic hypertrophy, most common in prostate of men
after middle age, is a disease which causes defecation disorders
and erectile dysfunction. It is occurred by multiplying
epitheliums, smooth muscles and connective tissue of prostate in
terms of histology, and urinary tract is pressurized by enlarged
prostate and uroflow resistance in terms of functions. Also,
genetic factors, physical constitution, nutrition, artery hardening
and differences among human races are considered as the causes of
prostatic hypertrophy, but these have not been correctly revealed.
Given high frequency among old people, it is closely related to
male hormones.
[0032] Treatments of prostatic hypertrophy include medical history,
International Prostate Symptoms Score (I-PSS), digital rectal
examination, uroflometer, residual urine test, transrectal
ultrasonography, tissue inspection, prostate specific antigen
(PSA), bladder scan, urine examination, tissue inspection and renal
function test. Symptoms of prostatic hypertrophy are defecation
disorders, such as urinary frequency, nycturia, hesistancy, pyuria,
residual urine and retention of urine, and male erectile
dysfunctions, such as unpleasant feeling and pain in lower abdomen
and perineum, backache, didymalgia, dysuria, whole muscle pain,
painful ejaculation, premature ejaculation and impotence.
Treatments of prostatic hypertrophy are classified into watchful
waiting, medical treatment, physical treatment, minimaly invasive
therapy, and surgical treatment: there are alpha-adrenergic
antagonists, Finasteride, anti-androgens, oriental medicine and
oriental suppository in medical treatment; there are biofeedback
therapy, low frequency electrical stimulation and transcranial
magnetic stimulation of inside and outside of body in physical
treatment; there are balloon dilatation, prostate stents,
thermotherapy (TUMT), TULIP, VLAP, TUEP, KTP, high intensity
focused ultrasound (HIFU), transurethral needle ablation (TUNA),
laser prostatectomy, electro vaporization and thermal therapy in
minimaly invasive therapy; and there are transurethral resection of
prostate (TURP), transurethral incision of prostate (TUIP) and open
prostatectomy in surgical treatment.
[0033] Next, prostatic carcinoma refers to a malignant tumor which
starts from surrounding areas of prostate. It frequently occurs as
long as people get older: men over 50 mostly develop prostatic
carcinoma. It is a quite common disease in Westerners, especially
in men, and prostatic carcinoma is the second highest death rates
after lung cancer. The frequency of prostatic carcinoma in Korean
men is lower than that of Westerners, but aging population is
steadily increasing due to Westernized food style, air pollution,
environment pollution, etc.
[0034] In addition, it is reported that genetic factors, age and
male hormones are assumed as the causes of prostatic carcinoma even
though these causes seem uncertain. Prostatic carcinoma starts
gradually, thus unrecognized. At first, unpleasant feeling and pain
in perineal region and rectum occur. Then, defecation disorders,
hematuria, pyuria, and renal dysfunction are shown gradually.
Metastasis mostly occurs in bones. Prostatic carcinoma is
accidentally found during annual medical checkup or prostate
hypertrophy examination rather than a patient or a doctor's concern
and conscious symptoms.
[0035] Prostatic carcinoma is diagnosed by Digital Rectal
Examination (DRE), trans rectal ultrasonography, tissue
examination, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, perineal punch
biopsy, bone scan, and lymphangiography. Treatments of prostatic
carcinoma include hormonal therapy for medicating antiandrogen or
female hormones; surgical therapy for performing radical
prostatectomy; radio therapy for applying radiation to external
affected prostate; and Chemo therapy for medicating more than two
anticancer drugs when hormone therapy is not valid. The prognosis
of prostatic carcinoma depends on physical condition, age, and
character (differentiated degree) of cancer cells. Generally, the
progress of prostatic carcinoma is slow. Thus, five year survival
rates are 70.about.90 percent when cancer is limited to prostate;
50.about.70 percent when cancer spreads to the surroundings of
prostate; 30.about.50 percent when cancer spreads to lymph node;
and 20.about.30 percent for remote metastasis to bones or lung.
Also, five year survival rates are 85.about.95 percent for radical
prostatectomy.
[0036] Meanwhile, brief explanations on "hemorrhoids
(haemorrhoids)", "fecal incontinence", and "constipation", which
are major symptoms of defecation disorders, are as follows.
[0037] First, most of adult suffer from hemorrhoids, which is a
disease occurring in the bottom of rectum, anus, and tissue of the
surrounding of anus. Types include haemorrhoids, anal fistula, anal
fissure, anusitis, pruritus ani, and rectal prolapse.
[0038] Among them, "haemorrhoids", which accounts for 50 percent
and is mostly recognized as hemorrhoids, is a disease in which
interior blood vessels of anus are expanded for some reasons, thus
making anal mucosal surfaces, which cover the blood vessels,
abnormally enlarged or stretched and even protruded outside the
anus in severe cases. 40.about.50 percent of adult men and women
suffer from haemorrhoids. It is classified into internal
hemorrhoids (20 percent), external hemorrhoids (10 percent) and
mixed hemorrhoids in accordance with shapes and positions, and it
is generated by aging, genetic factors, abnormal defecation habit
such as constipation and diarrhea, wrong food life like eating meat
and drinking alcohol, overwork, physical fatigue, hepatocirrhosis,
tumors in abdominal cavity, and pregnancy. Types of diagnosis
include medical examination by interview, inspection, Digital
Rectal Examination (DRE), proctoscope, sigmoidoscopy, anorectal
ultrasonography, anorectal manometry, and anal
electromyography.
[0039] Treatments of hemorrhoids are diet therapy, exercise, sitz
bath in warm water, massage, ointment, suppository, thermal
therapy, oriental medicine, oriental suppository, biofeedback
therapy, injection, elastic ring ligature, infrared heat
photocoagulation, cryotherapy, laser treatment, and surgery.
[0040] Next, fecal incontinence means excretion of gas or liquid
excrement in unconscious state. This is not a disease, but a
symptom which influences patients' lives by causing severe mental
anguish. It occurs for various reasons of damage of pelvic muscles,
anal sphincters, central nerves and pudendal nerves, sense
malfunction of rectum, dysfunction of anal sphincters, congenital
malformation, childbirth, and long-time use of obstruent. Fecal
incontinence is diagnosed by physical examination by interview,
anorectal manometry, anal electromyography, defecography, and anal
ultrasonography. Also, it is cured by diet therapy, medications,
gastrocolic reflex, biofeedback therapy for rectum and anal
sphincters, anal sphincters repair, and postanal redressement.
[0041] Next, constipation, a major symptom of defecation disorders,
refers to a situation that the number of defecation is less than
twice a week; the weight of bowel movements is below 35 g a day; 25
percent from the total bowel movements go for hard stool or
sensation of incomplete evacuation; and more than two symptoms
among the above situations continue over 3 months. Frequency is
about 10 percent of the total population: especially, the frequency
of young women and old people is approximately three times higher
than that of men or young people. Causes include: mental or
environmental factors (stress), wrong food style, dyscrinism,
disturbances of metabolism, nerve disorder, drug abuse, and
constitutional abnormality of large intestine or anus. Constipation
is diagnosed by digital rectal examination, colonoscopy, colonic
transit time, large bowel study, endoanal ultrasonography, anal
sphincters electromyography, and anal manometry. It is treated with
bowel movements training, intake of dietary fiber and lactic acid
bacteria, change of living habits, medications, oriental medicine,
oriental suppository, biofeedback therapy for rectum and anal
sphincters, low frequency electrical stimulation, transcranial
magnetic stimulation of inside and outside of body, and surgery.
Among these methods, "biofeedback therapy" refers to contraction
and relaxation therapy which is now significantly effective in
constipation and fecal incontinence. It treats symptoms by doing
exercise in person while checking status of contraction and
relaxation of one's rectum and anal sphincters through probe, LCD
display and headphones, and strengthening functions of declined
sense of rectum and sphincters with maximized capacity of somatic
nerves, autonomic nerves and sensory motor neuron. This is the most
fundamental and effective treatment among methods for curing
constipation and fecal incontinence.
[0042] Explanations on causes, symptoms and treatments of urinary
incontinence, erectile dysfunction, prostatic disease and
defecation disorders are described as above. General explanations
on biofeedback exercise and practical use are as follows.
[0043] Anorectal physiology examination of pelvic floor muscles
(vagina muscles), muscles of perineum, and anal sphincters is a
means for diagnosing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction,
prostatic disease and defecation disorders: types include anorectal
manometry, balloon expulsion test, balloon proctography,
defecography, colonic transit time study, anal electromyography,
transcrectal ultrasonography, anorectal angle, and saline
continence test.
[0044] Further, among these types, the anorectal manometry is
equipped with both physiologic test for rectum and anal sphincters
and biofeedback therapy, widely used in hospitals in relation to
large intestine and anus diseases.
[0045] In addition, biofeedback, a compound word of biology and
feedback, refers to physiological self-regulation, which is one of
behavior treatment based on learning through reinforcement,
suggested by B. F. Skinner, wherein a patient realizes what he
sees, hears and feels himself by detecting his physiological
responses and converting them into visual, auditory and sensible
signals. Recently, it belongs to one of orthodox medicine across
alternative medicine and complementary medicine, and it is widely
utilized in curing more than about 150 symptoms. Biofeedback
exercise is applied in pelvic floor muscle biofeedback exercise
used in incontinence treatment, vagina muscle and anal sphincters
biofeedback exercise used in erectile dysfunction treatment, rectum
and anal sphincters biofeedback exercise used in irritable bowel
syndrome, constipation, and fecal incontinence, frontal muscle
electromyelogram (EMG) biofeedback exercise used in control of
brainwave, electro cardiogram biofeedback exercise used in high
blood pressure and arrhythmia treatment, body temperature
biofeedback exercise, and Galvanic skin response biofeedback
exercise.
[0046] As stated above, besides a means for diagnosing and curing
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, prostatic disease and
defecation disorders, there are apparatus, currently used or
granted for patent (utility model), such as a pole-shaped anus
injecting apparatus using very low frequency (VLF), ultrasound,
infrared ray, near infrared (NIR), laser, heat, warm water,
vibration, and vacuum, urethra injection catheter using ultrasound,
perineum massaging apparatus using vibration, heat, and low
frequency, warm-water bath, sitz bath in warm water, and hot
mugwort pipe shape using oriental medicine like mugwort.
[0047] However, such apparatuses just temporarily alleviate pain or
unpleasant feeling. Also, the effect of treatment works in the
short term, thus not satisfying users.
[0048] Furthermore, oral medication, used for treatment, has
problems of side effects, like drug tolerance, organic malfunction
and organic damage due to long-term drug taking, and should combine
surgery because only medication cannot completely cure diseases. As
for western suppository and oriental suppository, effects do not
last long. Not only is it very unhealthy because of finger-using
injection into rectum and anus, but patients should live with
long-time injection. Nevertheless, medications cannot be fully
absorbed into human body.
[0049] Also, anorectal manometry makes up the majority of
physiologic test and biofeedback treatment for anal diseases,
defecation disorders and erectile dysfunction and is used in most
of hospitals. However, patients should visit hospital many times,
and it is too complex to operate for users. Also, it is quite
expensive and therefore, it costs a lot for inspection and
treatment.
[0050] Furthermore, widely used in urinary incontinence and
defecation disorders, low frequency electrical stimulation and
transcranial magnetic stimulation of inside and outside of body use
current and magnetic field, thus making contraction and relaxation
of muscles move. Treatment effects are short; it may be recurred;
and scientific reproducibility is not enough.
[0051] In addition, as for antibiotics widely used in prostate and
anal diseases, there have been resistant bacteria which cannot be
cured by existing antibiotics: these have been incurred by misuse
and overdose in advanced countries, and drug tolerance by small
dose, below adequate amount, in developing countries. Thus, the
World is currently facing to a serious level. Actually, in U.S.A.,
medical expenses for antibiotic tolerance amount for about $30
billion per year. In Korea, antibiotics consumption is about 33.2
people for every 1,000 people a day. It is 1.5 times higher than
OECD (Organization of Economic Corporation and Development)'s
average of 21.3 people. Also, the rate of prescription for
antibiotics in hospitals is 58.9 percent, more than 2.about.3 times
exceedingly higher than WHO (World Health Organization)'s
recommended value of 22.7 percent; and the rate of prescription for
injections amounts to 56.6 percent, even 3 times higher than WHO's
recommended value of 17.2 percent. Especially, the resistant rate
of penicillin for staphylococcus is 95 percent and thus, the rate
of antibiotics misuse in Korea is the world's highest. The number
of antibiotics resistant patients is on the increase, and efforts
to stop this situation are just temporary solutions. Thus, now,
there is no any special way.
[0052] Further, as for a personal apparatus for diagnosis and
treatment using silicon air probe (Korean Patent nos. 10-0710908,
10-0727783), filed by the applicant of the present invention and
granted for patent, a diagnosis and treatment apparatus for
hospitals has a problem that a patient, who goes to a hospital for
the first time, must inject an air probe into his coelom by nurse's
assistance at a partially open place, thus causing inconvenience
and shame, although it is rare for most of users to feel shame and
inconvenience because of home use.
PRIOR ART REFERENCE
[0053] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0710908; Korean Patent
Registration No. 10-0727783.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0054] For solving above problems, the object of the present
invention is to provide a seating apparatus for diagnosis and
treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders which enables a nurse or a
user to conveniently diagnose symptoms of urinary incontinence,
erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders by easily measuring
contraction pressure and contraction duration of pelvic floor
muscles, muscles of perineum and anal sphincters by means of a
seat-based contact probe sensor while a user puts on cloth, seated
on the present apparatus in public place like hospital, and to
conveniently and scientifically cure symptoms of urinary
incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
throughout biofeedback exercise and training.
[0055] Further, the other object of the present invention is to
provide a seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of
diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction
and defecation disorders which enables to diagnose symptoms of
urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction in person by
injecting an implantable air probe sensor, connected to the main
body, to coelom of a user who is seated on the present apparatus or
lies in bed at a private place like home and more accurately and
scientifically measuring contraction pressure and contraction
duration of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal
sphincters, and to cure symptoms of urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders throughout more accurate and
scientific biofeedback exercise and training of pelvic floor
muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters.
[0056] Further, the other object of the present invention is to
provide a seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of
diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction
and defecation disorders which enables to diagnose symptoms of
urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction by injecting an
implantable electric probe sensor to coelom of a user who is seated
or lies in bed at a private place like home and measuring bio
electrical impedance of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and
anal sphincters, and to cure symptoms of urinary incontinence,
erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders by applying
electricity to pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal
sphincters.
Technical Solution
[0057] To accomplish above objects, the present invention relates
to a seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing
and curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and
defecation disorders comprising: a main case equipped with a space
inside and shaped like an open-top hexahedron; a seat configured to
connect to the upper side of the main case and to form a through
hole in the center; a contact-type air probe sensor module
configured to be fixed to the inside of the main case by
penetrating the through hole of the seat to make the top protruded
toward the upper side of the seat, to measure contraction pressure
and duration of pelvic floor muscles, muscles of perineum and anal
sphincters of a user while being moved up and down and expanded by
air, and to induce contraction and relaxation; an air generation
module, equipped with an air outlet to supply air to an external
device, configured to be fixed to the inside of the main case and
to supply air through the contact-type air probe sensor module; a
control module configured to be fixed to the inside of the main
case, to control each component in accordance with control
instruction inputted from the outside, to measure contraction
pressure and contraction duration of pelvic floor muscles (vagina
muscles), muscles of perineum and anal sphincters for supplying
these information toward outside in order to diagnose urinary
incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders by
using an input value, measured from the air generation module, and
to measure bio electrical impedance of pelvic floor muscles (vagina
muscles) and anal sphincters on a basis of signals inputted from
the external device for supplying these information toward outside;
a power module, equipped with a power plug to the outer surface of
the main case, configured to charge a battery in the main case with
power source supplied from the power plug, to supply voltage,
outputted from the battery, to each component, and to control
intensity of electric current outputted from the battery in
accordance with external control; an interface module, installed to
the outer surface of the main case, configured to connect to the
external device by electrically combining the control module and
the power module; and a display module configured to display all
data outputted from the control module and the external device by
electrically connecting to the control module and the power module
while accessing to the interface module, and to transfer the
inputted control instruction to the control module.
[0058] Hereinafter, the external device is an implantable electric
probe sensor configured to connect to the interface module, to be
outputted by the control module with measured bio electrical
impedance of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal
sphincters of a user for diagnosing urinary incontinence and
erectile dysfunction with power source of the power module, and to
output current which enforces contraction and relaxation of pelvic
floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters of a user in
accordance with regulation of the control module.
[0059] Hereinafter, the external device is an implantable air probe
sensor configured to mechanically combine with the air outlet of
the air generation module, to measure contraction pressure and
contraction duration of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and
anal sphincters of a user by being expanded by air while accessing
to the interface module, and to induce contraction and
relaxation.
[0060] Hereinafter, the main case, made up of synthetic resins or
metal, comprises a handle in a front side, a support at the bottom,
and a storage groove for storing the display module, the
implantable electric probe sensor and the implantable air probe
sensor to one side.
[0061] Hereinafter, the seat further includes a first heater
installed inside; and a back combined to be folded in the rear of
the main case.
[0062] Hereinafter, the contact-type air probe sensor module
comprises: a frame, shaped like a ""-figured open-top cylinder,
configured to form a rectangle's first air tube hole to the side; a
lifting member, shaped like a ""-figured open-top cylinder,
configured to form a second air tube hole to the side and to move
up and down in the frame; an air bag, installed at the bottom of
the lifting member in the frame, configured to be expanded by air,
supplied from the air generation module, and to move up the lifting
member; and a contact-type probe sensor, made up of transparent or
translucent elastic material, configured to be the form of
streamline for adhering to pelvic floor muscles, muscles of
perineum and anal sphincters of a user upon expansion by air
supplied from the air generation module, and to fix the bottom by
means of the top of the lifting member and clamping rings.
[0063] Hereinafter, the contact-type air probe sensor module
further includes: a first light source, installed inside of the
lifting member, configured to investigate light; and a first
vibration-generating motor, installed in one side of the lifting
member, configured to generate vibration.
[0064] Hereinafter, the air generation module comprises: an air
pump configured to generate air; a distribution terminal configured
to distribute air generated from the air pump; an air blocking
valve configured to connect to one side of the distribution
terminal; a first air tube, made up of flexible material,
configured to expand the contact-type probe sensor by penetrating
the air tube hole formed in the air blocking valve and the frame of
the contact-type air probe sensor module and combining to the
second air tube hole of the lifting member; a second air tube, made
up of flexible material, configured to expand the air bag by
penetrating the first air tube hole formed in the air blocking
valve and the frame of the contact-type air probe sensor module and
combining to the air bag; a third air tube configured to combine
the other side and one side of the distribution terminal; a fourth
air tube configured to interconnecting the air blocking valve and
the air outlet; and a pressure sensor configured to connect to the
other side of the third air tube, and to output an input value by
means of the control module with measured pressure which is
electrically connected to the control module.
[0065] Hereinafter, the implantable electric probe sensor further
includes a second heater configured to generate heat; a second
light source configured to investigate light; and a second
vibration-generating motor configured to generate vibration.
[0066] Hereinafter, the implantable air probe sensor further
includes a third heater configured to generate heat; a third light
source configured to investigate light; and a third
vibration-generating motor configured to generate vibration.
[0067] Hereinafter, the control module further includes a first
wireless communication equipment configured to transmit and receive
the display module based on wireless data, and the display module
further includes a second wireless communication equipment
configured to transmit and receive the control module based on
wireless data.
[0068] According to the seating apparatus for diagnosis and
treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders of the present invention, as
constituted above, it enables a nurse or a user to conveniently
diagnose symptoms of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and
defecation disorders by easily measuring contraction pressure and
contraction duration of pelvic floor muscles, muscles of perineum
and anal sphincters by means of a seat-based contact probe sensor
while a user puts on cloth, seated on the present apparatus in
public place like hospital, and to conveniently and scientifically
cure symptoms of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and
defecation disorders throughout biofeedback exercise and
training.
[0069] Further, it enables to diagnose symptoms of urinary
incontinence and erectile dysfunction in person by injecting an
implantable air probe sensor, connected to the main body, to coelom
of a user who is seated on the present apparatus or lies in bed at
a private place like home and more accurately and scientifically
measuring contraction pressure and contraction duration of pelvic
floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters, and to cure
symptoms of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and
defecation disorders throughout more accurate and scientific
biofeedback exercise and training of pelvic floor muscles (vagina
muscles) and anal sphincters.
[0070] Further, it enables to diagnose symptoms of urinary
incontinence and erectile dysfunction by injecting an implantable
electric probe sensor to coelom of a user who is seated or lies in
bed at a private place like home and measuring bio electrical
impedance of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal
sphincters, and to cure symptoms of urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders by applying electricity to
pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0071] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective diagram showing the
constitution of a seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of
diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction
and defecation disorders according to the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional diagram A-A of FIG. 1.
[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional diagram B-B of FIG. 1.
[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective diagram of the
constitution of a contact-type air probe sensor module of the
seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and
curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation
disorders according to the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram showing the
constitution of the seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment
of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction
and defecation disorders according to the present invention.
[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective diagram showing conditions
for use of the seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of
diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction
and defecation disorders according to the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic sectional diagram showing the
constitution of an implantable electric probe sensor of the seating
apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and curing
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
according to the present invention.
[0078] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic sectional diagram showing the
constitution of an implantable air probe sensor of the seating
apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and curing
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
according to the present invention.
[0079] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate use state diagrams showing
conditions for use of the seating apparatus for diagnosis and
treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0080] The configuration of a seating apparatus for diagnosis and
treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders, according to the present
invention, will be described in detail with the accompanying
drawing.
[0081] In the following description of the present invention, a
detailed description of known incorporated functions and
configurations will be omitted when to include them would make the
subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. Also, the
terms used in the following description are defined taking into
consideration the functions provided in the present invention. The
definitions of these terms should be determined based on the whole
content of this specification, because they may be changed in
accordance with the option of a user or operator or a usual
practice.
[0082] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective diagram showing a seating
apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and curing
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
according to the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional
diagram A-A of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional diagram B-B
of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective diagram of
the constitution of a contact-type air probe sensor module of the
seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and
curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation
disorders according to the present invention; and FIG. 5
illustrates a schematic block diagram showing the constitution of
the seating apparatus for diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and
curing urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation
disorders according to the present invention.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a seating apparatus (1) for
diagnosis and treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary
incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
according to the present invention consists of: a main case (10); a
seat (20); a contact-type air probe sensor module (30); an air
generation module (40); a control module (50); a power module (60);
an interface module (70); a display module (80); an implantable
electric probe sensor (90); and an implantable air probe sensor
(100).
[0084] First, the main case (10) is composed of: a space (11), made
up of durable synthetic resins or metal, wherein each component is
installed inside for protection; a portable handle (13), installed
in a front side and shaped like an open-top hexahedron; a support
(15), installed at the bottom; and a storage groove for storing a
display module (80), an implantable electric probe sensor (90) and
an implantable air probe sensor (100), stated as below, to one
side.
[0085] Further, the sear (20) includes a first heater (23)
installed inside and combined to the top of the main case (10) in
the manner of a typical structure with a through hole in the
center; and a back (25) combined to be folded in the rear of the
main case (10). Hereinafter, the back (25) may be utilized as a
cover, and fixed by locking members (not illustrated) to the seat
(20) or the main case (10) separately while moving. Here, it is
desirable that the first heater (23) serves as hyperthermia of the
underpart of a body while maintaining constant designated
temperature automatically and is applied to a common wire-type
resistance heater or a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient
Resistance) film heater, which is an planar heating element. The
PTC film heater is effective in preventing overheat due to short
heating time (maximum), superior corrosion resistance and
durability, semi-permanent lifespan, no short circuit by overheat,
magnetic temperature control function and no separate on/off
control function, and in emitting far infrared ray and minus ion
with heat, necessary for hyperthermia.
[0086] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the implantable air probe
sensor module (30) consists of a frame (31), a lifting member (32),
an air bag (33), a contact-type probe sensor (34), a first light
source (35) and a first vibration-generating motor (36).
[0087] The frame (31), made up of synthetic resins or metal and
shaped like a ""-figured open-top cylinder, forms a rectangle's
first air tube hole (31a) to the side.
[0088] The lifting member (32), made up of synthetic resins or
metal and shaped like a "" figured open-top cylinder, forms a
second air tube hole (32a) to the side and moves up and down in the
frame (31).
[0089] Installed at the bottom of the lifting member (32) in the
frame (31), the air bag (33) is expanded by air, supplied from an
air generation module (40) stated below, thereby moving up the
lifting member (32). Hereinafter, lifting motors and gears may be
applied, instead of the air bag (33).
[0090] The contact-type probe sensor (34), made up of transparent
or translucent elastic material (typical rubber, silicon rubber,
soft plastic, etc.), functions as a sensor for human's movement in
the state of right and left, up and down expansion by air while
being shaped like longitudinally expanded hollow streamline for
adhering to pelvic floor muscles, muscles of perineum and anal
sphincters of a user upon expansion by air supplied from the air
generation module (40); serves as strengthening (Kegel exercise) of
pelvic floor muscles, muscles of perineum and anal sphincters by
repeating expansion and contraction; and fixes the bottom by means
of the top of the lifting member (32) and clamping rings (37).
Hereinafter, it is desirable that the contact-type probe sensor
(34) is configured to add Solitonium, which is a physiological
active wave transmitting material, far infrared ray, tourmaline,
which is a minus ion releasing material, elvan, etc.
[0091] It is desirable that the first light source (35) uses each
or both of low level laser diode, which has output intensity of
5.about.50 mW and wavelength range of 630 nm.about.980 nm, or high
luminance LED, which has output intensity of 5.about.50 mW and
wavelength range of 420 nm.about.850 nm. If a low-energy laser beam
which does not damage living cells is applied to body,
physiological function of body is activated and nature healing
power of an injured part is improved. Especially, if medical
devices using laser are applied to blood vessels, prostate,
reproductive organs, anus, and other injured parts of a patient, it
is effective in clarifying blood, controlling internal immunity,
and activating various enzymes. Therefore, laser treatment devices
have been widely used in hospitals. It has been widely known that
such low level laser influences microcirculation structures of
blood flow, and human's blood flow. Besides, it is famous for
acceleration of cell division, cell activation, immune cells,
antiinflammatory effects, and improvement of blood flow. Relevant
clinical trials are completed. The wavelength of laser, used in
therapy, is a wide range of visible rays, infrared rays, etc.
Actually, effects and areas of each wavelength are different. In
old days, laser medical equipment was mostly high level laser.
Recently, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been established,
thereby performing active research and trial tests all over the
world. The current treatment of various pain is the most prevalent
in LLLT, obtaining large effects on the acupuncture points in the
form of laser acupuncture by Canadian the Plugs Professor of He-Ne
laser to remove pain. Now, it has been widely applied, because
there are remarkable effects on removing pains as well as curing
diseases by directly applying acupuncture to not only acupuncture
points but also injured parts. Especially, low level laser is
highly effective in all kinds of chronic diseases, conventionally
known as incurable illness; patients have minor pain and side
effects due to intemerate, nonsurgical and non medicated treatment;
and medical expenses are much lower than those of traditional
treatment.
[0092] Installed on one side of the lifting member (32), the first
vibration-generating motor (36) shakes the contact-type probe
sensor (34) by generating vibration. At this time, the first
vibration-generating motor (36) may not be installed in case that a
vibrator air pump is applied to an air pump (42) of the air
generation module (40).
[0093] Further, the air generation module (40) consists of an air
outlet (41), an air pump (42), a distribution terminal (43), an air
blocking valve (44), first to fourth air tubes (45.about.48) and a
pressure sensor (49).
[0094] Installed on one side of the main case (10), the air outlet
(41) provides an implantable air probe sensor (100), as stated
below.
[0095] It is desirable that the air pump (42) supplies air to the
contact-type air probe sensor and the implantable air probe sensor,
as stated below, and consists of a general air pump configured to
output more than 800 mmHg of the maximum pressure or a vibrator air
pump configured to generate vibration.
[0096] The distribution terminal (43) is shaped like a storage tank
in which several exhaust pipes (43a), which connect to each of a
first air tube (45), a second air tube (46) and a third air tube
(47), are formed. The distribution terminal (43) distributes air,
generated from the air pump (42), to the contact-type air probe
sensor module (30) and the implantable air probe sensor (100).
[0097] The air blocking valve (44) expands, contracts and moves up
and down the air probe sensor module (30) by emitting air toward
outside or blocking air, and expands and contracts the implantable
air probe sensor (100). Hereinafter, a direct current
(DC)-normal-close type or direct current (DC)-normal-open type
solenoid valve is applied to the air blocking valve (44).
[0098] The first air tube (45) is made up of flexible material like
silicon in order to change a length in accordance with moving up
and down of the lifting member (32) of the contact-type air probe
sensor module (30), and expands the contact-type probe sensor (34)
by penetrating the first air tube hole (31a), formed in the frame
(31) of the air blocking valve (44) and the contact-type air probe
sensor module (30), and connecting to the second air tube hole
(32a) of the lifting member (32).
[0099] The second air tube (46) is made up of flexible material
like silicon, and expands the air bag (33) by penetrating the first
air tube hole (31a), formed in the air blocking valve (44) and the
frame (31) of the air probe sensor module (30), and connecting to
the air bag (33).
[0100] The third air tube (47) is connected to the other side of
the distribution terminal (43).
[0101] The fourth air tube (48) is interconnected to the air
blocking valve (44) and the air outlet (41).
[0102] The pressure sensor (49) is connected to the other side of
the third air tube (47), and outputs an input value by means of the
control module (50) by measuring pressure with the electrically
connected control module (50). At this time, it is desirable that
the pressure sensor (49) refers to a digital pressure sensor, built
in PCB with the control module (50), or a mechanic (Bellows type)
pressure sensor, having pressure measurement range of more than
1.about.500 mmHg.
[0103] Furthermore, the control module (50) is configured to be
fixed to the inside of the main case (10) while built in PCB; to
control the whole of each component in accordance with control
instruction inputted from the display module (80), as stated below;
to measure contraction pressure and contraction duration of pelvic
floor muscles (vagina muscles), muscles of perineum and anal
sphincters for diagnosing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders by using an input value,
measured from the air generation module (40), and to supply these
information to the display module (80); and to measure bio
electrical impedance of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and
anal sphincters by signals inputted from the implantable electric
probe sensor (90), which is an external device, and to supply these
information to the display module (80). Hereinafter, the control
module (50) functions as strengthening (Kegel exercise) of pelvic
floor muscles (vagina muscles), muscles of perineum and anal
sphincters by repeating expansion and contraction of the
contact-type air probe sensor module (30) and the implantable air
probe sensor (100) in a regular pattern while controlling the air
generation module (40). Hereinafter, it is desirable that the
control module (50) includes a timer (51) for measuring time, a CPU
(52), a storage unit (HDD, memory) (53), an MP3 player (54) and a
first wireless communication equipment (55) for transmitting and
receiving the display module (80) based on wireless data. Also, it
is desirable to include music therapy while exercise and treatment,
because an MP3 player provides functional music which is utilized
in music therapy.
[0104] Meanwhile, the power module (60) is configured to form a
power plug in the outer surface of the main case (10); to charge a
battery (61) in the main case (10) with power source supplied from
the power plug; to supply voltage, outputted from the battery (61),
to each component; and to control the intensity of current,
outputted from the battery (61) in accordance with regulation of
the control module (50), throughout a current regulator (63).
Hereinafter, it is desirable that the battery is a lithium-ion
battery or a lithium-polymer batter, and the battery consists of a
mass battery which enables to perform 20-cycle exercise with one
charge.
[0105] Further, the interface module (70) is installed in the outer
surface of the main case (10) with a plurality of terminals, and is
electrically connected to the implantable electric probe sensor
(90) and the implantable air probe sensor (100), which are external
devices, by electrically connecting to the control module (50) and
the power module (60).
[0106] Furthermore, the interface module (80) is configured to
display all data, outputted from the control module (50), the
implantable electric probe sensor (90), which is an external
device, and the implantable air probe sensor (100), while accessing
to the interface module (70) and electrically connecting to the
control module (50) and the power module (60), and to transfer
inputted control instruction to the control module (50).
Hereinafter, the display module (80) refers to a common device such
as terminals, to which a touch-type LCD is built, smartphones,
tablet PCs, etc., and the display module (80) consists of a monitor
(81) configured to output a button input means, which is operated
by a user's instruction, and working situation on a screen, and a
speaker (82) configured to output voice and music. Also, it is
desirable that the display module (80) includes a second wireless
communication equipment (83) configured to transmit and receive
data, which enables to transmit and receive various data
wirelessly, with the control module (50).
[0107] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the implantable electric
probe sensor (90) is generally configured to form a plurality of
ring-shaped electrodes (93) on the surface of a circular stick
shaped first body (92), in which a first handle for grasping (91)
is formed on end; to connect to the interface module (70) by
expanding a first cable (94) in the first handle for grasping (91);
to measure and output bio electrical impedance of pelvic floor
muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters of a user with the
control module (50) for diagnosing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders with power supplied from the
power module (60); and to output current which enforces contraction
and relaxation of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal
sphincters of a user in accordance with regulation of the control
module (50). At this time, the current intensity is regulated by
the current regulator (63) of the power module (60). Hereinafter,
the first body (92) may be made up of metal or PVC, PC, rubber,
etc., and electrodes may be composed of metal or conductive plastic
or conductive rubber. Also, the implantable electric probe sensor
(90) further includes a second heater (95), which is a PTC heater
element for generating heat; a second light source (96) configured
to investigate light by using each or both of low level laser
diode, which has output intensity of 5.about.50 mW and wavelength
range of 630 nm.about.980 nm, or high luminance LED, which has
output intensity of 5.about.50 mW and wavelength range of 420
nm.about.850 nm; and a second vibration-generating motor (97)
configured to generate vibration.
[0108] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the implantable air
probe sensor (100), a well known structure, is configured to
function as accurate diagnose by injecting to human's vagina or
anus and measuring contraction pressure and contraction duration of
pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincters; to form a soft cover
(103) in order to surround the surface of a circular stick shaped
second body (102), in which a second handle for grasping (101) is
formed on end for performing accurate diagnose and treatment more
than the contact-type air probe sensor module (30) throughout
biofeedback of strengthening (Kegel exercise) of pelvic floor
muscles and anal sphincters; to connect to the interface module
(70) by expanding a second cable (104) in the first handle for
grasping (101); and combine to the air outlet (41) with a fifth air
tube (105) expanded from the first handler for grasping (101).
Hereinafter, the second body (102) is made up of metal or PVC, PC,
rubber, etc., and the soft cover (103) is composed of rubber or
silicon, urethane, soft plastic, etc. Also, the implantable air
probe sensor (100) further includes a third heater (106), which is
a PTC heater element for generating heat; a third light source
(107) configured to investigate light by using each or both of low
level laser diode, which has output intensity of 5.about.50 mW and
wavelength range of 630 nm.about.980 nm, or high luminance LED,
which has output intensity of 5.about.50 mW and wavelength range of
420 nm.about.850 nm; and a third vibration-generating motor (108)
configured to generate vibration.
[0109] Accordingly, a seating apparatus (1) for diagnosis and
treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders is characterized by comprising
"Three ways-two channels system" configured to diagnose symptoms of
urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders
by selectively using the contact type air probe sensor module (30),
the implantable electric probe sensor (90), and the implantable air
probe sensor (100) and to cure symptoms of urinary incontinence,
erectile dysfunction and defecation disorders throughout
biofeedback exercise and electrical stimulation by selectively
using the contact-type air probe sensor module (30), the
implantable electric probe sensor (90), and the implantable air
probe sensor (100). [0110] One way two
channels--self-exam/measurement and self therapy/treatment by
contact-type air probe sensor module (30) [0111] Two ways two
channels--self-exam/measurement and self therapy/treatment by
implantable air probe sensor module (100) [0112] Three ways two
channels--self-exam/measurement and self therapy/treatment by
implantable electric probe sensor module (90)
[0113] Hereinafter, the seating apparatus for diagnosis and
treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders according to the present
invention will be described in detail with the accompanying
drawing.
[0114] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate use state diagrams showing
conditions for use of the seating apparatus for diagnosis and
treatment of diagnosing and curing urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders according to the present
invention.
[0115] On a basis of the stated constitution, three ways-two
channels diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence, erectile
dysfunction and defecation disorders are shown as below.
[0116] 1. Operation of Contact-Type Air Probe Sensor Module (30)
[0117] 1) Measurement of Contraction Pressure and Contraction
Duration/Diagnosis
[0118] First, when booting up a system and pressing a seat-based
measurement button of the display module (80) while accessing the
display module (80) to the interface module (70), the air pump (42)
of the air generation module (40) is operated, expanding the
contact-type probe sensor (34) by air, which is supplied to the
contact-type probe sensor (34) throughout the distribution terminal
(43), the air blocking valve (44) and the first air tube (45).
[0119] Simultaneously, air expands the air bag (33) through the
second air tube (46), thereby moving up the contact-type air probe
sensor module (30) and sticking the contact-type probe sensor (34)
to human body. At this time, the pressure sensor (49) detects
adequate amount of air, which is inputted to the control module
(50) in advance, to be injected to the contact-type probe sensor
(34) and the air bag (33); and when adequate amount of air is
injected, the air pump (42) stops operation of the control module
(50) and the air blocking valve (44) is closed, thereby stopping
air emitted.
[0120] In this condition, when a user contracts pelvic floor
muscles (vagina muscles), muscles of perineum and anal sphincters
as much as he can and keeps up its status for a long time, the
pressure sensor (40) measures the maximum contraction pressure
(mmHg) and the average contraction pressure of pelvic floor
muscles, muscles of perineum and anal sphincters, and the control
module (50) measures contraction duration by timing when the
pressure value is down below to a constant value from the maximum
point.
[0121] Then, the pressure sensor (49) measures resting pressure
(mmHg) of pelvic floor muscles, muscles of perineum and anal
sphincters when pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles), muscles of
perineum and anal sphincters are not under strain, that is, muscles
are relaxed.
[0122] After repeating and measuring the above motions, the control
module (50) outputs the measured maximum value, the minimum value
and the average value in the manner of screen and voice throughout
the display module (80) and stores in a storage unit. [0123] 2)
Feedback Exercise (Kegel Exercise)/Treatment
[0124] First, when booting up a system and pressing a seat-based
measurement button of the display module (80) while accessing the
display module (80) to the interface module (70), the air pump (42)
of the air generation module (40) is operated, expanding the
contact-type probe sensor (34) by air, which is supplied to the
contact-type probe sensor (34) throughout the distribution terminal
(43), the air blocking valve (44) and the first air tube (45). At
this time, the pressure sensor (49) detects adequate amount of air
to be injected to the contact-type probe sensor (34) and the air
bag (33) in accordance with a user's step therapy pattern (exercise
level), which is inputted to the control module (50) in advance;
and when adequate amount of air is injected, the air pump (42)
stops operation of the control module (50) and the air blocking
valve (44) is closed, thereby stopping air emitted.
[0125] Further, when a user performs feedback (biofeedback,
exercise for strengthening pelvis) for repeating contraction and
relaxation of muscles in compliance with instruction in the manner
of screen and voice from the display module (80), the pressure
sensor (49) measures contraction pressure, contraction duration and
resting pressure of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles), muscles
of perineum and anal sphincters by catching movements of pelvic
floor muscles, muscles of perineum and anal sphincters of human
body by means of the contact-type probe sensor (34).
[0126] Furthermore, the control module (50) may display exercise
data or instruction or guiding lines in the manner of bar graphs,
numbers or animation throughout screens of the display module (80),
and output voice or melody throughout speakers. Also, by pressing
option buttons of the display module (80) in order, a user selects
vibration, heating and beam therapy functions, and the selected
function runs during treatment when pressing a start button.
[0127] 2. Operation of Implantable Air Probe Sensor (100) [0128] 1)
Measurement of Contraction Pressure and Contraction
Duration/Diagnosis
[0129] First, when booting up a system, accessing the display
module (80) and the implantable air probe sensor (100) to the
interface module (70), injecting the implantable air probe sensor
(100) to coelom of a user while combining the expansion tube (105)
to the air outlet (41) of the air generation module (40), and
pressing an injection-based measurement button of the display
module (80), the air pump (42) of the air generation module (40) is
operated, expanding the soft cover (103) of the implantable air
probe sensor (100) by air, which is supplied to the implantable air
probe sensor (100) throughout the distribution terminal (43), the
air blocking valve (44) and the fourth air tube (48). At this time,
the pressure sensor (49) detects adequate amount of air, which is
inputted to the control module (50) in advance, to be injected to
the implantable air probe sensor (100); and when adequate amount of
air is injected, the air pump (42) stops operation of the control
module (50) and the air blocking valve (44) is closed, thereby
stopping air emitted.
[0130] In this condition, when a user contracts pelvic floor
muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters as much as he can and
keeps up its status for a long time, the pressure sensor (40)
measures the maximum contraction pressure (mmHg) and the average
contraction pressure of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and
anal sphincters, and the control module (50) measures contraction
duration by timing when the pressure value is down below to a
constant value from the maximum point.
[0131] Then, the pressure sensor (49) measures resting pressure
(mmHg) of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters
when pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal sphincters are
not under strain, that is, muscles are relaxed.
[0132] After repeating and measuring the above motions, the control
module (50) outputs the measured maximum value, the minimum value
and the average value in the manner of screen and voice throughout
the display module (80) and stores in a storage unit. [0133] 2)
Feedback Exercise (Kegel Exercise)/Treatment
[0134] First, when booting up a system, accessing the display
module (80) and the implantable air probe sensor (100) to the
interface module (70), injecting the implantable air probe sensor
(100) to coelom of a user while combining the soft cover (103) to
the air outlet (41) of the air generation module (40), and pressing
an injection-based exercise button of the display module (80), the
air pump (42) of the air generation module (40) is operated,
expanding the soft cover (103) of the implantable air probe sensor
(100) by air, which is supplied to the implantable air probe sensor
(100) throughout the distribution terminal (43), the air blocking
valve (44) and the fourth air tube (48). At this time, the pressure
sensor (49) detects adequate amount of air to be injected to the
implantable air probe sensor (100) in accordance with a user's step
therapy pattern (exercise level), which is inputted to the control
module (50) in advance; and when adequate amount of air is
injected, the air pump (42) stops operation of the control module
(50) and the air blocking valve (44) is closed, thereby stopping
air emitted.
[0135] Further, when a user performs feedback (biofeedback,
exercise for strengthening pelvis) for repeating contraction and
relaxation of muscles in compliance with instruction in the manner
of screen and voice from the display module (80), the pressure
sensor (49) measures contraction pressure, contraction duration and
resting pressure of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and anal
sphincters by catching movements of pelvic floor muscles (vagina
muscles) and anal sphincters of human body by means of the
implantable air probe sensor (100).
[0136] Furthermore, the control module (50) may display exercise
data or instruction or guiding lines in the manner of bar graphs,
numbers or animation throughout screens of the display module (80),
and output voice or melody throughout speakers. Also, by pressing
option buttons of the display module (80) in order, a user selects
vibration, heating and beam therapy functions, and the selected
function runs during treatment when pressing a start button.
[0137] 3. Operation of Implantable Electric Probe Sensor (90)
[0138] 1) Measurement of Bio Electrical Impedance/Diagnosis
[0139] First, when booting up a system, accessing the display
module (80) and the implantable electric probe sensor (90) to the
interface module (70), and pressing an injection based impedance
measurement button of the display module (80) while injecting the
implantable electric probe sensor (90) to coelom of a user, the bio
electrical impedance of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and
anal sphincters of a user is measured by electrodes (90) and is
outputted throughout the control module (50). At this time, the
current intensity is regulated by the current regulator (63) of the
power module (60).
[0140] Then, the control module (50) outputs the measured bio
electrical impedance in the manner of screen and voice throughout
the display module (80) and stores in a storage unit. [0141] 2)
Treatment
[0142] First, when booting up a system, accessing the display
module (80) and the electric probe sensor (90) to the interface
module (70), pressing an electrical treatment button of the display
module (80) while injecting the implantable electric probe sensor
(90) to coelom of a user, and pressing a level selection button in
accordance with a user's step therapy pattem (exercise level),
which is inputted to the control module (50) in advance,
moderate-intensity micro current from the current regulator (63) of
the power module (60) is applied to the electrodes (93) of the
implantable electric probe sensor (90), injected to human's coelom,
during predetermined therapy time. Then, urinary incontinence,
erectile dysfunction of pelvic floor muscles (vagina muscles) and
anal sphincters are cured by repeating compulsory contraction and
relaxation throughout low frequency current.
[0143] Furthermore, the control module (50) may display treatment
level, current intensity and residual time for treatment in the
manner of bar graphs, numbers or animation throughout screens of
the display module (80), and output voice or melody throughout
speakers. Also, by pressing option buttons of the display module
(80) in order, a user selects vibration, heating and beam therapy
functions, and the selected function runs during treatment when
pressing a start button.
[0144] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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