Pelvic floor muscle strengthening device and pelvic floor muscle strengthening method using same

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device capable of electrically stimulating the pelvic floor muscles and the obturator internus muscles and also stimulating the gluteus maximus muscles. The present invention provides a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device comprising: a first electrical stimulation unit for applying electrical stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles of a user; and a second electrical stimulation unit for applying electrical stimulation to the obturator internus muscles of the user.

Description

Pelvic floor muscle strengthening device and pelvic floor muscle strengthening method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device and a pelvic floor muscle strengthening method using the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that applies electrical stimulation and / or vibration stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles and the obturator internalis muscle, respectively, and a pelvic floor muscle strengthening method using the same.

[0002] Urinary incontinence, a condition characterized by involuntary leakage of urine, is a common condition often overlooked. While 30% to 40% of adult women suffer from this condition, only 23% of patients actually seek medical attention.

[0003] For these reasons, treatments for urinary incontinence that can be administered at home are preferred. A preferred device for home use is an electrical stimulation device that provides repetitive electrical stimulation. This device requires the user to sit in a sitting position, placing electrodes in close contact with the treatment area, while applying electrical stimulation.

[0004] The muscles at the bottom of the pelvis are called pelvic floor muscles, and the electrical stimulation device described above is based on research showing that strengthening these muscles can treat or alleviate urinary incontinence. Furthermore, strengthening these muscles has been found to be related to sexual function.

[0005] One method for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is using low-frequency pulse electrical stimulation. This electrical stimulation device can be used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, improving bowel movements, sexual function, and urinary incontinence. It can also be used to massage the prostate area.

[0006] When abdominal pressure increases—due to activities like coughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, or running—the pelvic floor muscles contract, increasing urethral pressure beyond that of the bladder, preventing involuntary urine leakage. If abdominal pressure increases excessively, the pelvic floor muscles alone may not be able to provide sufficient contraction force.

[0007] The pelvic floor muscles are hammock-like muscles that extend anteriorly to the pubic bone and posteriorly to the coccyx above the anus, supporting the bladder and abdominal structures. Until now, electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles, with their complex structure and diverse anatomical functions, has been considered a single unit. While the effects of pelvic floor muscle stimulation on improving sexual function and urinary incontinence vary depending on the site of stimulation, conventional electrical stimulation devices have not been recognized as delivering specific electrical stimulation to each site.

[0008] Meanwhile, among the various muscles of the buttocks, the external rotators and extensors of the hip joint are structures connected to the pelvic floor muscles through the fascia. When the external rotators or extensors of the hip joint contract, the pelvic floor muscles may show a co-contraction phenomenon, which can induce a stronger contraction. In subjects with reduced awareness and contraction sensation of the pelvic floor muscles, contraction of the gluteal muscles can be induced instead of pelvic floor muscle contraction. The obturator internalis muscle (see Figure 2) is located inside the gluteus maximus. Stimulating a specific part of the gluteus maximus where the obturator internalis is located can stimulate both the gluteus maximus and the obturator internalis simultaneously.

[0009] In modern society, sedentary lifestyles are leading to a decline in gluteal muscle use. COVID-19, in particular, has had a profound impact on all sectors of the economy, culture, and society since 2020. The proportion of people working from home without commuting is increasing, and outdoor activities are decreasing. As the time spent sitting at a desk increases, the number of people complaining of pain in the lower back, pelvis, and knees is also increasing.

[0010] Patent Document 1 relates to a device for strengthening pelvic floor muscles and a method for controlling the same. Patent Document 1 relates to a device for strengthening pelvic floor muscles, comprising: a device body having a seating means for allowing a user to sit; and two or more electrode pads for applying low-frequency pulses arranged around a location corresponding to the user's anus without the user's anus coming into contact with the device body.

[0011] Patent Document 2 relates to a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device having an improved structure so that the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle strengthening is improved by bringing electrode pads into close contact with the coccygeal muscles (see FIG. 1). Patent Document 2 includes a main body on which a user can sit, a pair of levator ani muscle electrode pads that are spaced apart from each other and apply low-frequency pulses to the user's levator ani muscle when the user sits on the main body, and a coccygeal muscle electrode pad that is positioned above the pair of levator ani muscle electrode pads and applies low-frequency pulses to the user's coccygeal muscle when the user sits on the main body.

[0012] Patent Document 3 relates to a low-frequency treatment device. Patent Document 3 includes a plate-shaped body, a low-frequency generating unit located inside the body and generating low frequencies, a first low-frequency unit located in the upper center of the body and having a first transmission rod protruding upward for transmitting low frequencies generated from the low-frequency generating unit, a transmission rod groove corresponding to the transmission rod formed at the lower portion thereof and fixed to the upper portion of the first low-frequency unit, a height-adjusting catheter having a fixing protrusion protruding at the upper portion thereof, and a first contact catheter having a first fixing groove corresponding to the fixing protrusion formed at the lower portion thereof and fixed to the upper portion of the height-adjusting catheter, the upper portion of which is formed as a gently curved surface and comes into contact with a first affected area, and the low frequencies are transmitted to the first affected area through the height-adjusting catheter and the first contact catheter.

[0013] Patent Document 4 relates to a biofeedback training device for examining and treating urinary incontinence and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles (vaginal muscles). Because the device must be inserted directly into the vagina, this device imposes greater spatial, temporal, and emotional constraints than conventional electrical stimulation devices. Furthermore, the device requires the user to strictly maintain hygiene due to the risk of bacterial infection, which is inconvenient.

[0014] Patent Document 5 relates to a combined device for prostate treatment, rectal and anal physiological examination, and biofeedback exercise. Similar to Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5 also suffers from the same burden and hygiene issues associated with its use due to its direct insertion into the user's anus.

[0015] Patent Document 6 relates to a wearable device for neuromuscular stimulation, a device for stimulating the neuromuscular tract for the treatment of spinal injuries and chronic pain. While Patent Document 6 shares the same electrical stimulation characteristics as the present invention, it differs from the present invention in the type of electrical stimulation used and the location of the electrodes for treating spinal injuries and chronic pain.

[0016] A product of the type described in Patent Document 6 is called an EMS (electronic muscle stimulation) suit. The EMS suit targets the skeletal muscles at the outermost layer, while the present invention targets the pelvic floor muscles located deep within, so the targets of stimulation are different.

[0017] Thus, existing patents related to improving urinary incontinence primarily aim to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles around the perineum. They do not address technologies that simultaneously alleviate pain in the pelvis, lower back, and knees that can arise from weakened gluteal muscles, as well as sports activities or daily life that require stronger pelvic floor muscle contraction, which require co-contraction of the obturator internus, gluteal muscles, and pelvic floor muscles.

[0018] Patent Document 1 has electrodes only on the seating device, so it can stimulate the pelvic floor muscles, but it has difficulty stimulating the muscles around the buttocks. Patent Document 2 also does not solve the above problem because it only stimulates the coccygeal muscle for the treatment of urinary incontinence. All conventional electrical stimulation devices related to urinary incontinence basically strengthen only the pelvic floor muscles, which is to say, strengthen the pubococcygeus muscle among the levator ani muscles. As such, conventional electrical stimulation devices cannot be a solution for further strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, which is the purpose of the present invention.

[0019] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 1227749 (January 23, 2013) (Patent Document 1)

[0020] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 1585649 (January 8, 2016) (Patent Document 2)

[0021] Republic of Korea Utility Model Registration No. 0440013 (May 13, 2008) (Patent Document 3)

[0022] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 0710908 (April 17, 2007) (Patent Document 4)

[0023] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 0727783 (June 7, 2007) (Patent Document 5)

[0024] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007 / 0049814 (May 1, 2007) (Patent Document 6)

[0025] Soljanik I, Janssen U, May F, et al. Functional interactions between the fossa ischioanalis, levator ani and gluteus maximus muscles of the female pelvic floor: a prospective study in nulliparous women. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics. 2012;286: 931-38. ('Non-patent Document 1')

[0026] Bø K, Stien R. Needle EMG registration of striated urethral wall and pelvic floor muscle activity patterns during cough, Valsalva, abdominal, hip adductor, and gluteal muscle contractions in nulliparous healthy females. Neurology and urodynamics. 1994;13: 35-41. ('Non-patent Document 2')

[0027] Tuttle LJ, Autry T, Kemp C, et al. Hip exercises improve intravaginal squeeze pressure in older women. Physiotherapy theory and practice. 2019: 1-8. ('Non-patent Document 3')

[0028] Underwood DB, Calteaux TH, Cranston AR, Novotny SA, Hollman JH. Hip and pelvic floor muscle strength in women with and without stress urinary incontinence: a case-control study. Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy. 2012;36: 55-61. ('Non-patent Document 4')

[0029] The present invention aims to address the aforementioned issues and provides a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device capable of further enhancing the contractile strength of the pelvic floor muscles. The present invention also aims to provide a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device capable of strengthening the gluteal muscles.

[0030] Specifically, the present invention provides a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device capable of electrically stimulating the pelvic floor muscles and the obturator internalis muscle. The present invention also provides a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device capable of electrically stimulating the pelvic floor muscles and the obturator internalis muscle while also stimulating the gluteus maximus muscle. The present invention also provides a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device capable of further enhancing the contractile power of the pelvic floor muscles by adding vibration to the electrical stimulation.

[0031] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device including a first electrical stimulation unit that provides electrical stimulation to the user's pelvic floor muscles, and a second electrical stimulation unit that provides electrical stimulation to the user's obturator internus muscle.

[0032] The second electrical stimulation unit may be in contact with a position higher than the position of the first electrical stimulation unit in contact with the skin within 5 cm on either side, preferably within 3 cm on either side, based on the shortest connecting curve of the skin connecting the skin where the ischial tubercle of the user is located and the skin where the great trochanter of the femur is located when the user is sitting.

[0033] The first electric stimulation unit and the second electric stimulation unit are composed of two electrodes each positioned on the left and right with respect to the center of the human body, for a total of four electrodes, and when the four points, which are the center points of the first electric stimulation unit and the second electric stimulation unit, are connected, a trapezoidal shape is formed, and in the trapezoid, the connecting line of the center points of the first electric stimulation unit forms a short horizontal upper side, and the connecting line of the center points of the second electric stimulation unit forms a long horizontal lower side, and the trapezoid may be in a shape that slopes downward toward the short horizontal upper side.

[0034] The length of the above-mentioned short horizontal upper side is 0.5 cm to 10 cm, the length of the above-mentioned long horizontal lower side is 5 cm to 40 cm, the difference in height between the short horizontal upper side and the long horizontal lower side is 1 cm to 20 cm, and the height of the above-mentioned trapezoid may be 3 cm to 20 cm. However, the above-mentioned size may vary depending on the body size of the user. In particular, the length of the above-mentioned long horizontal lower side must contact a position higher than the position of the first electrical stimulation unit in contact with the skin within a range of 5 cm on either side based on the shortest connecting curve of the skin connecting the skin where the ischial tubercle of the user is located and the skin where the great trochanter of the femur is located when the user is sitting. The length of the above-mentioned long horizontal lower side may be 5 cm to 40 cm, and may be as short as 5 cm to 20 cm.

[0035] The second electrical stimulation unit may contact the area of ​​the user's buttocks where the user's obturator internus muscle is located. Specifically, the buttocks may be the area where the gluteus maximus muscle is located.

[0036] A vibration unit that generates vibration may be added to the first electric stimulation unit and / or the second electric stimulation unit. The vibration unit may generate sound waves.

[0037] The vibration may be from 50 Hz to 200 Hz. The vibration may be fixed, and preferably may be from 80 Hz to 150 Hz, more preferably from 100 Hz to 140 Hz, and most preferably from 110 Hz to 130 Hz.

[0038] The vibration unit may have a frequency that varies within a range of 50 Hz to 200 Hz. The vibration may increase or decrease in frequency. The vibration may increase or decrease in frequency within a set range. When the vibration frequency increases, the muscle may contract, and when the vibration frequency decreases, the muscle may relax. The vibration and electrical stimulation may be applied simultaneously or alternately.

[0039] The above electrical stimulation is an electrical signal having a frequency of 0 Hz to 100 Hz, a pulse width of 100 μs to 500 μs, and an effective root mean square (rms) value of 1 mA to 50 mA, and may be used in combination with a medium frequency signal of 1000 Hz to 10000 Hz. A preferred electrical stimulation frequency is 25 Hz to 50 Hz.

[0040] Among the first electric stimulation unit and the second electric stimulation unit, the part facing the user's body may include a metal, a silicone pad, a carbon electrode pad, or a jelly pad.

[0041] The area of ​​the part facing the user's body may be 3㎠ to 50㎠.

[0042] The present invention also provides a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device including a main body having an upper surface on which a user can sit, a first electric stimulation unit disposed on the upper surface of the main body and composed of two electrodes, and a second electric stimulation unit composed of two electrodes, wherein both of the two electrodes are disposed at a higher position than the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit and the interval between the two electrodes is wider than the interval between the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit.

[0043] The main body part includes a rear support part extending upward from the rear of the main body part, and the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation part can be placed on the rear support part. The two electrodes of the second electric stimulation part can be placed on an elastic part of the rear support part. The elastic part is a material that can contract when a user sits, and as a non-limiting example, an elastic material such as rubber or a spring may be added, or a cushioning part containing air may be included.

[0044] The distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit is 0.5 cm to 10 cm, the distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation unit is 5 cm to 40 cm, the difference in height between the short upper horizontal side connecting the centers of the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit and the long lower horizontal side connecting the centers of the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation unit is 1 cm to 20 cm, and the distance between the short upper horizontal side and the long lower horizontal side may be 3 cm to 20 cm.

[0045] However, the above size may vary depending on the user's body size. In particular, the distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the second electrical stimulation unit should be in contact at a location higher than the location of the contact with the skin of the first electrical stimulation unit within a range of 5 cm on either side based on the shortest connecting curve of the skin connecting the skin where the ischial tubercle of the user is located and the skin where the great trochanter of the femur is located when the user is sitting. The distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the second electrical stimulation unit may be within 5 cm to 40 cm, and may be as short as 5 cm to 20 cm.

[0046] The positions of the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit and / or the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation unit can be changed along the front-back direction of the main body.

[0047] The present invention can also be provided in a form in which the means for solving the above problems are arbitrarily combined.

[0048] The present invention can provide a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that can further strengthen the contractile force of the pelvic floor muscles compared to conventional pelvic floor muscle strengthening devices.

[0049] Specifically, the present invention can provide a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that electrically stimulates the pelvic floor muscles and the obturator internalis muscle. The present invention can also provide a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that electrically stimulates the pelvic floor muscles and the obturator internalis muscle while also stimulating the gluteus maximus muscle. The present invention can also provide a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that adds vibration to the electrical stimulation to further enhance the contractility of the pelvic floor muscles.

[0050] The present invention can also provide a method for strengthening pelvic floor muscles and buttock muscles using the above device.

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for strengthening pelvic floor muscles according to patent document 2.

[0052] Figure 2 is an anatomical diagram showing the obturator internus muscle.

[0053] Figure 3 is an anatomical diagram showing the location of the greater trochanter of the femur.

[0054] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 5 is an example of an ultrasound measurement photograph to confirm the degree of electrical stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles.

[0056] Figure 6 shows the results of the degree of contraction of the pelvic floor muscles according to comparative examples 1 to 3 and examples 1 to 2.

[0057] The advantages and features of the present invention and the method for achieving them will become clear with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the attached drawings.

[0058] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms.

[0059] The embodiments herein are provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform a person skilled in the art of the present invention of the scope of the invention.

[0060] And the invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0061] Accordingly, in some embodiments, well-known components, well-known operations, and well-known techniques are not specifically described to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0062] Additionally, throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components, and the terminology used (referred to) in this specification is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0063] In this specification, the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and the reference to an element or action as “including (or comprising)” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or actions.

[0064] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used in a meaning that can be commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0065] Also, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless they are defined otherwise.

[0066] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0067] Figure 2 is an anatomical diagram showing the obturator internus muscle, and Figure 3 is an anatomical diagram showing the location of the greater trochanter of the femur.

[0068] The obturator internus muscle is a muscle that performs the function of the lateral rotator of the thigh. The muscle originates on the inner surface of the anterolateral wall of the pelvis, and since this part is attached to the fascia of the pelvic floor muscles (Non-patent Document 1), contraction of the obturator internus can induce contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. This is supported by research results showing that pelvic floor muscle function was improved when hip squeeze exercises or thigh lateral rotation exercises were performed instead of pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises. Therefore, the obturator internus and pelvic floor muscles are connected structures and can have a contraction relationship (Non-patent Documents 2, 3, 4). Unlike conventional electrical stimulation devices, the present invention was derived through experiments in which electrical stimulation was directly applied to the obturator internus muscle, thereby contracting the pelvic floor muscles.

[0069] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. The pelvic floor stimulation strengthening device according to the present invention includes a first electrical stimulation unit (100) and a second electrical stimulation unit (200). The first electrical stimulation unit (100) provides electrical stimulation to the user's pelvic floor muscles, and the second electrical stimulation unit (200) provides electrical stimulation to the user's obturator intermedius muscle.

[0070] The first electric stimulation unit (100) and the second electric stimulation unit (200) are composed of two electrodes each positioned on the left and right with respect to the center of the human body, for a total of four electrodes. When the four points, which are the center points of the first electric stimulation unit (100) and the second electric stimulation unit (200), are connected, a trapezoidal shape is formed. In the trapezoid, the connecting line of the center points of the first electric stimulation unit forms a short horizontal upper side (A), and the connecting line of the center points of the second electric stimulation unit forms a long horizontal lower side (B). The trapezoid may have a shape that slopes downward toward the short horizontal upper side.

[0071] The length of the short horizontal upper side (A) is 0.5 cm to 10 cm, the length of the long horizontal lower side (B) is 5 cm to 40 cm, the difference in height (h) between the short horizontal upper side and the long horizontal lower side is 1 cm to 20 cm, and the height (H) of the trapezoid may be 3 cm to 20 cm.

[0072] However, the above size may vary depending on the user's body size. In particular, the length (B) of the long horizontal lower side should contact a position higher than the skin contact position of the first electrical stimulation unit within a range of 5 cm on either side based on the shortest connecting curve of the skin connecting the skin where the ischial tubercle of the user is located and the skin where the great trochanter of the femur is located when the user is sitting. The length (B) of the long horizontal lower side may be within 5 cm to 40 cm, and may be as short as 5 cm to 20 cm.

[0073] The first electric stimulation unit (100) is similar to the electrode of the prior art patent document 1, and two electrodes are arranged around the user's perineum and the female urethra when the user is seated. However, since the present invention requires that the first electric stimulation unit (100) and the second electric stimulation unit (200) be in contact with the user simultaneously, the positions of the first electric stimulation unit (100) and / or the second electric stimulation unit (200) may be changed depending on the user.

[0074] The dotted line in Figure 2 corresponds to the ischial tubercle. The ischial tubercle is an elongated, oval-shaped prominence extending posteriorly and inferiorly from the ischium, and is the weight-bearing portion of the body when seated. Figure 3 shows the location of the greater trochanter of the femur, which is the most outwardly protruding portion in the seated position.

[0075] The second electrical stimulation unit (200) corresponds to a position higher than the position of the contact with the skin of the first electrical stimulation unit within 5 cm on either side, preferably within 3 cm on either side, based on the shortest connecting curve of the skin connecting the skin where the ischial tubercle of the user is located and the skin where the greater trochanter of the femur is located when the user is sitting.

[0076] The area of ​​the portion of each electrode of the first electrical stimulation unit (100) and the second electrical stimulation unit (200) facing the user's body may be 3㎠ to 50㎠.

[0077] The second electrical stimulation unit (200) may contact the area of ​​the user's buttocks where the user's obturator internus is located. Specifically, the buttocks may be the area where the gluteus maximus is located.

[0078] A vibration unit that generates vibration may be added to the first electric stimulation unit and / or the second electric stimulation unit. The vibration unit may generate sound waves.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention comprises a main body (10) having an upper surface (12) on which a user can sit, the first electric stimulation unit (100) is composed of two electrodes and is arranged on the upper surface (12) of the main body (10), the second electric stimulation unit (200) is composed of two electrodes, the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation unit (200) are arranged at a higher position than the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit (100), and the interval between the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation unit (200) is wider than the interval between the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit (100).

[0080] The distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit (100) is 0.5 cm to 10 cm, and the distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation unit (200) is 5 cm to 40 cm.

[0081] The electrode of the first electric stimulation unit (100) may change position along the front-back direction of the main body (10). Specifically, only the electrode that comes into contact with the user moves, and the part that actually supplies electricity to the electrode is fixed to a certain length or more, but in the absence of the electrode, it may be hidden in a form that does not directly provide electric stimulation to the user. An example of the part that actually supplies electricity to the electrode is a long grooved shape, and an elastic cover with a portion cut out on the outside may be added. In this case, the electrode may include an extension that can be coupled to the groove.

[0082] The main body (10) includes a rear support portion (14) extending upward from the rear of the main body (10), and two electrodes of the second electric stimulation portion (200) are disposed on the rear support portion (14). The two electrodes of the second electric stimulation portion (200) are disposed on an elastic portion (15) of the rear support portion (14). The elastic portion (15) is made of a material that can contract when a user sits, and as a non-limiting example, an elastic material such as rubber or a spring may be added, or a buffer portion containing air may be included.

[0083] In order to verify the effectiveness of the present invention, electrical stimulation was applied to multiple users under various conditions, and the degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction was measured using ultrasound. Fig. 5 is an example of an ultrasound measurement photograph to verify the degree of electrical stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles. The upper photograph of Fig. 5 is a direct photograph obtained by ultrasound, and the lower photograph shows the degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction (movement). Fig. 5 shows the result of a contraction of 0.09 cm.

[0084] (Comparative Example 1)

[0085] The degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction was observed using a device according to Patent Document 1. The device is a commercially available product and is designated as Easy K.

[0086] (Comparative Example 2)

[0087] The degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction was observed using a device according to Patent Document 2. The device is a commercially available product designated as Easy K7. The frequency of the electrical stimulation was fixed at 25 Hz.

[0088] (Comparative Example 3)

[0089] The degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction was observed using a device according to Patent Document 2. The device is a commercially available product designated as Easy K7. The frequency of the electrical stimulation was fixed at 50 Hz.

[0090] (Example 1)

[0091] The degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction was observed using a device according to the present invention. The device is designated as Easy K9. The frequency of the electrical stimulation was fixed at 25 Hz.

[0092] (Example 2)

[0093] The degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction was observed using a device according to the present invention. The device is designated as Easy K9. The frequency of the electrical stimulation was fixed at 50 Hz.

[0094] Fig. 6 shows the results of the degree of pelvic floor muscle contraction according to Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and Examples 1 and 2, and represents the average value of the experimental results for 12 women. The unit of pelvic floor muscle contraction on the y-axis is cm. Example 1 (Easy K9, 25 Hz) and Example 2 (Easy K9, 50 Hz) showed the best results. For reference, the degree of contraction according to Example 2 corresponds to the maximum value that can be exhibited when a user intentionally contracts the muscles. In other words, when the device according to the present invention is used, even if the same conditions of electrical stimulation as those of the device according to the prior art are applied, stimulation corresponding to the maximum contraction value of the muscles occurs even when the user does not intend it at all. Example 2 represents the limit, which is the maximum value of muscle contraction, and it can be seen that the degree of stimulation of the pelvic floor muscle strengthening device according to the present invention is actually greater than that.

[0095] (Example 3)

[0096] In addition to Example 1, 120 Hz vibration was added continuously and simultaneously.

[0097] (Example 4)

[0098] In addition to Example 1, 120 Hz vibration and electrical stimulation were added alternately.

[0099] (Example 5)

[0100] In addition to Example 1, vibrations increasing from 50 Hz to 120 Hz were simultaneously added.

[0101] (Example 6)

[0102] In addition to Example 1, vibrations decreasing from 120 Hz to 50 Hz were simultaneously added.

[0103]

[0104] Table 1 shows the experimental results for Examples 1, 3 to 6 and the average values ​​of the experimental results for 12 women. Referring to Table 1, when vibration is added, a synergistic effect (Example 3) appears when a certain vibration is applied simultaneously with electrical stimulation. In the case of Example 3, it appears that the muscle contraction is greater than that of Example 1, which is the maximum muscle contraction that the user can consciously contract, indicating that applying vibration generates a very large stimulus.

[0105] When a vibration-reducing stimulus was applied simultaneously with electrical stimulation (Example 6), an unusually significant downward relaxation effect was observed in the pelvic floor muscles. This confirmed that applying vibration in the present invention also produces a relaxation effect completely unpredictable from conventional electrical stimulation.

[0106] (Explanation of symbols)

[0107] 100: First electrical stimulation section

[0108] 200: Second electrical stimulation section

[0109] 10: Main body

[0110] 12: Top surface

[0111] 14: Rear support

[0112] 15: Elasticity

[0113] A: Short horizontal upper edge

[0114] B: Long horizontal lower edge

[0115] h: height difference between top and bottom

[0116] H: Height of the saddle

Claims

1. A first electrical stimulation unit that provides electrical stimulation to the user's pelvic floor muscles; A second electrical stimulation unit that provides electrical stimulation to the obturator internus muscle of the user; Pelvic floor muscle strengthening device including 2. In paragraph 1, The second electrical stimulation unit is a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that contacts a position higher than the position of the first electrical stimulation unit's contact with the skin within a range of 5 cm on either side based on the shortest connecting curve of the skin connecting the skin where the ischial tubercle of the user is located and the skin where the great trochanter of the femur is located when the user is sitting.

3. In paragraph 1, The first electrical stimulation unit and the second electrical stimulation unit are composed of two electrodes each positioned on the left and right sides of the center of the human body. When connecting the four points, which are the center point of the first electric stimulation unit and the center point of the second electric stimulation unit, a trapezoidal shape is formed. In the above trapezoid, the connecting line of the center point of the first electric stimulation unit forms a short horizontal upper side, and the connecting line of the center point of the second electric stimulation unit forms a long horizontal lower side. The above trapezoid is a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device having a shape that slopes downward toward the shorter horizontal upper side.

4. In paragraph 3, The length of the short horizontal upper side is 0.5 cm to 10 cm, The length of the long horizontal lower side is 5 cm to 40 cm, The difference in height between the short upper horizontal side and the long lower horizontal side is 1 cm to 20 cm. A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device having a height of the trapezoid of 3 cm to 20 cm.

5. In paragraph 1, The second electrical stimulation unit is a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that contacts the area of ​​the user's buttocks where the user's obturator internus muscle is located.

6. In paragraph 1, A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device in which a vibration generating unit is added to the first electric stimulation unit and / or the second electric stimulation unit.

7. In paragraph 6, The above vibration is a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device having a frequency of 50 Hz to 200 Hz.

8. In paragraph 6, The above vibration unit is a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device with variable frequency.

9. In paragraph 6, A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device in which the first electric stimulation unit and / or the second electric stimulation unit and the vibration unit operate simultaneously or alternately.

10. In paragraph 1, The above electrical stimulation is an electrical signal having a frequency of 0 Hz to 100 Hz, a pulse width of 100 μs to 500 μs, and an effective root mean square (rms) of 1 mA to 50 mA, and is a pelvic floor muscle strengthening device that can be used by overlapping a medium-frequency signal of 1000 Hz to 10000 Hz.

11. In paragraph 1, A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device, wherein the part of the first electric stimulation unit and the second electric stimulation unit facing the user's body includes a metal, a silicone pad, a carbon electrode pad, or a jelly pad.

12. In paragraph 11, A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device having an area of ​​3㎠ to 50㎠ facing the user's body.

13. A main body having a top surface on which a user can sit; A first electrical stimulation unit disposed on the upper surface of the main body and composed of two electrodes; A second electric stimulation unit comprising two electrodes, wherein both of the two electrodes are positioned higher than the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit, and the gap between the two electrodes is wider than the gap between the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit; A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device including:

14. In paragraph 13, The above main body portion includes a rear support portion extending upward from the rear of the main body portion, A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device in which the two electrodes of the second electrical stimulation unit are placed on the rear support unit.

15. In paragraph 14, A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device in which the two electrodes of the second electrical stimulation unit are placed in the elastic unit of the rear support unit.

16. In paragraph 13, The distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the first electrical stimulation unit is 0.5 cm to 10 cm, The distance between the centers of the two electrodes of the second electrical stimulation unit is 5 cm to 40 cm, The difference in height between the short horizontal upper side connecting the centers of the two electrodes of the first electric stimulation unit and the long horizontal lower side connecting the centers of the two electrodes of the second electric stimulation unit is 1 cm to 20 cm. A pelvic floor muscle strengthening device in which the distance between the short horizontal upper side and the long horizontal lower side is 3 cm to 20 cm.

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