Pelvic Exercise Sensor with Embedded Force Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing and treating pelvic muscle-related medical conditions, such as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, lack effective tools for accurately diagnosing, instructing, and monitoring the correct performance of pelvic exercises, leading to incorrect exercise techniques and potential tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a flexible polymeric material with embedded sensors to measure force and pressure, providing real-time feedback and tracking capabilities, and a system that includes a processor to evaluate pelvic muscle exercise profiles by comparing user data with baseline profiles, ensuring correct exercise intensity and form.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pelvic muscle exercises are performed without proper guidance and monitoring, then treatment cost and time are reduced, but exercise performance accuracy deteriorates leading to incorrect techniques and potential tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise performance accuracyVSAvoidguidance and monitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates sensors that detect pelvic muscle contraction and provide real-time feedback to the user through a user interface. This feedback mechanism enables the user to monitor their exercise performance accuracy and receive guidance on proper technique, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptive and self-correcting without requiring complex external monitoring infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to be inserted and used by the patient themselves without requiring insertion by a healthcare professional. The device autonomously performs sensing, processing, and feedback functions, enabling patients to self-monitor their exercise performance at home, thereby reducing the need for complex clinical monitoring systems while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and processing components are added to ensure correct exercise form, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce and pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice manufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines multiple sensing functions (force sensing, pressure sensing, contraction detection) into a single integrated unit with unified processing logic. The controller integrates data from all sensors and coordinates the user interface responses, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high measurement precision through coordinated multi-sensor operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to perform multiple functions using a common sensor array and processing system: detecting pelvic muscle contraction, measuring force, measuring pressure, providing real-time feedback, and tracking exercise progress. This multi-functionality reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for separate specialized devices for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device enables precise diagnosis, instruction, and monitoring of pelvic muscle exercises, reducing the risk of incorrect techniques and promoting effective treatment by providing accurate feedback and tracking progress, thereby improving patient adherence to exercise regimens.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor, wherein at least a portion of the sensor is embedded in the flexible polymeric material, and wherein the sensor is constructed and arranged to measure a force or pressure applied to the body portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11324999B2Methods and devices for sensing, guiding, and/or tracking pelvic exercise

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SKYE HEALTH

AI summary

Devices such as medical devices, including those for use in conducting pelvic muscle exercise, are generally provided. Embodiments herein relate generally to the medical device and consumer medical product fields, and in some embodiments, to a device for sensing, guiding, and/or tracking pelvic muscle exercise in men and women for the purpose of treating urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and other pelvic conditions.