Urinary incontinence treatment device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a urinary incontinence treatment device that stimulates pelvic floor muscles and surrounding muscles with low frequency and heat. The urinary incontinence treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an upper cover that is brought into contact with a user's body; a pair of internal electrodes disposed on the upper cover to apply a first low frequency to the user's body; and a pair of external electrodes disposed around the pair of internal electrodes to apply a second low frequency to the user's body, and having a smaller area than the pair of internal electrodes.

Description

Incontinence treatment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a urinary incontinence treatment device, and more specifically, to a urinary incontinence treatment device that stimulates pelvic floor muscles and surrounding muscles with low frequency and heat.

[0002] Urinary incontinence occurs when the muscles supporting the bladder and pelvis gradually weaken, leading to involuntary leakage of urine. In women, excessive expansion of the pelvic structure due to pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the contractility of the pelvic muscles, which can lead to urinary incontinence.

[0003] In modern society, where women's participation in society is increasing and the elderly population is rapidly increasing, urinary incontinence not only restricts patients' social life and hygiene, but also limits normal daily life, causing psychological, social, and economic harm and suffering. Therefore, there is a pressing need for methods to prevent and treat urinary incontinence.

[0004] Accordingly, incontinence treatment devices that treat incontinence using low frequency, heat, and micro-vibration have recently been in the spotlight, and research is being conducted to increase the treatment effect by applying appropriate stimulation and temperature to various areas.

[0005] The problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to provide a urinary incontinence treatment device that applies appropriate stimulation to various areas.

[0006] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0007] In order to achieve the above task, a urinary incontinence treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an upper cover that comes into contact with a user's body, a pair of internal electrodes arranged on the upper cover to apply a first low frequency to the user's body, and a pair of external electrodes arranged around the pair of internal electrodes to apply a second low frequency to the user's body and having a smaller area than the pair of internal electrodes.

[0008] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0009] According to the incontinence treatment device of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

[0010] First, there is an advantage in that the area of ​​the internal electrode that applies low frequency to the perineum is larger than the area of ​​the external electrode that applies low frequency to the buttocks or back of the thigh, thereby increasing the treatment effect for urinary incontinence.

[0011] Second, there is an advantage in that the maximum output voltage applied to the external electrode can be appropriately set to maintain the incontinence treatment effect without causing discomfort to the user.

[0012] Third, both the internal and external electrodes generate heat, which increases the effectiveness of urinary incontinence treatment, while also having the advantage of setting the maximum temperature appropriately, eliminating the risk of burns.

[0013] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a urinary incontinence treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a urinary incontinence treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a urinary incontinence treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0018] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0019] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0020] Hereinafter, the phrase "any configuration is placed on (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, and that other configurations may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0021] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0022] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0023] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C through D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0024] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings for explaining an incontinence treatment device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a urinary incontinence treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a urinary incontinence treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a urinary incontinence treatment device includes an upper cover (110) that comes into contact with a user's body, a pair of internal electrodes (130) that are arranged on the upper cover (110) and apply a first low frequency to the user's body, a pair of external electrodes (140) that are arranged around the pair of internal electrodes (130) and apply a second low frequency to the user's body and have a smaller area than the pair of internal electrodes (130), a light-emitting module (150) that is arranged between the pair of internal electrodes (130) and irradiates light, an input unit (170) that is arranged on the upper cover (110) and through which a user inputs a control command, and a lower cover (120) that is coupled to the lower side of the upper cover (110).

[0027] The upper cover (110) forms the upper exterior of the incontinence treatment device. The upper cover (110) is roughly shaped like a square, circle, or oval plate with rounded corners. A light-emitting module (150) and a pair of internal electrodes (130) are arranged in the center of the upper cover (110). A pair of external electrodes (140) and an input unit (170) are arranged on the outer portion of the upper cover (110). The upper cover (110) is coupled to the upper side of the lower cover (120).

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the upper cover (110) includes an inner upper cover (111) forming a central portion and having a light-emitting module (150) and a pair of internal electrodes (130) arranged therein, and an outer upper cover (113) forming an outer portion and having a pair of external electrodes (140) and an input portion (170) arranged therein.

[0029] The lower cover (120) forms the lower outer surface of the incontinence treatment device, is placed on the floor surface and supported by the floor. The lower cover (120) has a circumferential outer surface formed identically to the circumferential outer surface of the upper cover (110), and is roughly in the shape of a plate with rounded corners, such as a square, circle, or oval. The lower cover (120) forms a space in which electronic components such as a power supply unit, a control unit, first and second output units, and first and second heater units, which will be described later, are accommodated therein. An inner supporter (181) supporting a light-emitting module (150) and a pair of internal electrodes (130), and an outer supporter (183) supporting a pair of external electrodes (140) are arranged on the lower cover (120). The lower cover (120) is coupled to the lower side of the upper cover (110).

[0030] The control unit (170) receives commands for controlling the incontinence treatment device from the user. The control unit (170) includes several buttons that the user can press. The control unit (170) may include a display device that displays the operating status of the incontinence treatment device. The user can adjust the intensity of the first or second frequency or the temperature of the internal electrode (130) or the external electrode (140) through the control unit (170).

[0031] The light-emitting module (150) illuminates the user's body to activate cells. The light-emitting module (150) is preferably an LED (Light Emitting Diode) module that illuminates the user's perineum. The light-emitting module (150) is positioned at the center of the upper cover (110).

[0032] A pair of internal electrodes (130) are arranged to surround the light-emitting module (150). The pair of internal electrodes (130) contact the user's perineum and apply a first frequency. The pair of internal electrodes (130) stimulate the user's pelvic floor muscles to treat urinary incontinence. The pair of internal electrodes (130) generate heat and apply heat to the user's perineum.

[0033] Each of the pair of inner electrodes (130) has the same shape so as to be symmetrical with each other. Each of the pair of inner electrodes (130) has a semicircle or circular sector shape with rounded corners. Each of the pair of inner electrodes (130) is supported by an inner supporter (181).

[0034] A pair of external electrodes (140) are arranged to surround a pair of internal electrodes (130). The pair of external electrodes (140) are in contact with the user's buttocks or posterior thighs and apply a second frequency. The pair of external electrodes (140) stimulate the user's gluteus muscles to treat urinary incontinence. The pair of external electrodes (140) generate heat and apply heat to the user's buttocks or posterior thighs.

[0035] Each of the pair of external electrodes (140) has the same shape so as to be symmetrical with each other. Each of the pair of external electrodes (140) has an annular sector shape at its corners. The pair of external electrodes (140) are supported by an outer supporter (183).

[0036] The area of ​​a pair of inner electrodes (130) is larger than the area of ​​a pair of outer electrodes (140). The intensity of a first frequency applied by a pair of inner electrodes (130) is different from the intensity of a second frequency applied by a pair of outer electrodes (140). The pulse width of the first frequency applied by a pair of inner electrodes (130) is different from the pulse width of the second frequency applied by a pair of outer electrodes (140). The maximum intensity of the first frequency applied by a pair of inner electrodes (130) is larger than the maximum intensity of the second frequency applied by a pair of outer electrodes (140). The maximum output voltage applied to a pair of inner electrodes (130) is larger than the maximum output voltage applied to a pair of outer electrodes. The maximum output current applied to a pair of inner electrodes (130) is larger than the maximum output current applied to a pair of outer electrodes. The maximum temperature of one pair of outer electrodes (140) is higher than the maximum temperature of one pair of inner electrodes (130).

[0037] The inventors of the present invention experimentally discovered that the smaller the electrode area, the more sensitive the user becomes to the intensity of the frequency. Therefore, the maximum output voltage applied to a pair of external electrodes (140) with a small area should be lower than the maximum output voltage of a pair of internal electrodes (130). In particular, the maximum output voltage should be set in proportion to the square root of the electrode area.

[0038] The therapeutic effect and user discomfort were tested as follows for the relationship (S) between the maximum output voltage V1 of a pair of internal electrodes (130), the maximum output voltage V2 of a pair of external electrodes (140), the area A1 of a pair of internal electrodes (130), and the area A2 of a pair of external electrodes (140).

[0039]

[0040] S-2-1012 Therapeutic effect: Low, Moderate, High, Moderate, Low Discomfort: High, Moderate, Low, Moderate, High

[0041] That is, it is desirable to design it as follows:

[0042] However, since the above relationship cannot be clearly satisfied due to the design of the electrode considering the area and size that comes into contact with the user, it is desirable to design it as follows.

[0043]

[0044] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a urinary incontinence treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a urinary incontinence treatment device comprises a first output unit (240) that supplies a pulse output signal to a pair of internal electrodes (130) so that the pair of internal electrodes (130) output a first low frequency, a first heater unit (250) that supplies heat or energy to a pair of internal electrodes (130) so that the pair of internal electrodes (130) are heated, a second output unit (260) that supplies a pulse output signal to a pair of external electrodes (140) so that the pair of external electrodes (140) output a second low frequency, a second heater unit (270) that supplies heat or energy to a pair of external electrodes (140) so that the pair of external electrodes (140) are heated, and a user's command inputted to an input unit (170) is inputted to supply a first output unit (240), a first heater unit (250), a second output unit (260), and a second heater unit (270). It includes a control unit (230) that controls the light-emitting module (150), and a power unit (210) that supplies power from an external power source or a battery to the first output unit (240), the first heater unit (250), the second output unit (260), the second heater unit (270), and the light-emitting module (150).

[0046] The pulse width supplied by the first output unit (240) to a pair of internal electrodes (130) may be different from the pulse width supplied by the second output unit (260) to a pair of external electrodes (140).

[0047] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Furthermore, such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

Claims

1. Upper cover that comes into contact with the user's body; A pair of internal electrodes arranged on the upper cover and applying a first low frequency to the user's body; and An incontinence treatment device comprising a pair of external electrodes arranged around the pair of internal electrodes to apply a second low frequency to the user's body and having a smaller area than the pair of internal electrodes.

2. In paragraph 1, A treatment device for urinary incontinence wherein the maximum intensity of the first frequency is greater than the maximum intensity of the second frequency.

3. In paragraph 1, A urinary incontinence treatment device in which the maximum output voltage applied to the pair of internal electrodes is greater than the maximum output voltage applied to the pair of external electrodes.

4. In paragraph 3, The maximum output voltage V1 of the inner electrode, the maximum output voltage V2 of the outer electrode, the area A1 of the inner electrode, and the area A2 of the outer electrode have the following relationship: Incontinence treatment device.

5. In paragraph 1, The above pair of inner electrodes generate heat, The above pair of external electrodes generate heat, A urinary incontinence treatment device wherein the maximum temperature of the pair of external electrodes is higher than the maximum temperature of the pair of internal electrodes.

6. In paragraph 1, Each of the above pair of inner electrodes has a fan shape, Each of the above pair of external electrodes is an annular fan-shaped incontinence treatment device.

7. In paragraph 1, The above pair of external electrodes is a urinary incontinence treatment device that comes into contact with the user's back thigh.

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