Pelvic floor pain relief device and method of use

Abstract

A pelvic floor pain relief device for use by humans. The device is spherical, and comprised of three layers. The core of the device is a compact compressible spherical core, having a compressibility rating sufficient to substantially support the weight of a human sitting thereon while allowing but minimizing the deformation of the sphere under the human load. A strengthening layer, consisting of randomly wound filament material, is wound around the exterior of the compressible spherical core to further minimize the deformation of the sphere in use. Finally, an exterior protective layer retains the filament of the strengthening layer in relation to the sphere and provides a cleanable surface. The method of use of the device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A pelvic floor pain relief device for use by humans comprising a compact multi-layered spherical article consisting of at least three layers as follows: a. an innermost compressible spherical core, said core having a compressibility rating sufficient to substantially support the weight of a human sitting thereon while minimizing the deformation thereof under the human load; b. a strengthening layer covering the compressible spherical core, said strengthening layer comprising filament material wound randomly wound around the exterior of the compressible spherical core, whereby the strengthening layer completely covers the spherical core and further minimizes the deformability of the spherical article under human weight load; and c. an exterior protective layer covering the strengthening layer, retaining the filament of the strengthening layer in relation to the spherical core and providing a cleanable surface.

2. The pelvic floor pain relief device of claim 1 wherein the spherical core is a cellular foam element.

3. The pelvic floor pain relief device of claim 1 wherein the spherical core is an inflatable bladder.

4. The pelvic floor pain relief device of claim 3 wherein the device includes an inflation access port and the inflation of the inflatable bladder can be adjusted by the user to achieve a desired allowable deformity profile or compressibility of the device.

5. The pelvic floor pain relief device of claim 1 wherein the number of layers is more than three, additional layers being added to the spherical article between the spherical core and the exterior protective layer.

6. The pelvic floor pain relief device of claim 1 wherein the spherical core is sized for placement between the hips or in a sitting position in the pelvic floor area of the user.

7. A human pelvic therapy method using a pelvic floor pain relief device comprising a compact multi-layered spherical article consisting of at least three layers as follows: a. an innermost compressible spherical core, said core having a compressibility rating sufficient to substantially support the weight of a human sitting thereon while minimizing the deformation thereof under the human load; b. a strengthening layer covering the compressible spherical core, said strengthening layer comprising filament material wound randomly wound around the exterior of the compressible spherical core, whereby the strengthening layer completely covers the spherical core and further minimizes the deformability of the spherical article under human weight load; and c. an exterior protective layer covering the strengthening layer, retaining the filament of the strengthening layer in relation to the spherical core and providing a cleanable surface; said method comprising sitting on the pelvic floor pain relief device with it in alignment with the pelvic muscles of the user, wherein releasing pressure will be applied to the pelvic muscles of the user as the device is applied thereto and deformed by the weight of the human thereon.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the pelvic floor pain relief device used is the pelvic floor pain relief device of any one of claims 1 through 6.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the compressible spherical core is adjustably inflatable and the method further comprises adjusting the inflation of the compressible spherical core in advance of the user sitting on the device, to adjust the deformability of the device under human load.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. The drawings enclosed are:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a pelvic floor pain relief device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cutaway cross-section of the device of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior compressible spherical core of the device of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the strengthening filament layer of the device of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 being partially deformed on a surface, as if being under the load of human weight; and

[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 with a user sitting on the device, showing the utility and use of the device; and

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] As outlined herein, the present invention comprises a device for use in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle pain. It represents a considerable improvement over current state devices and methods which are used for exercise program type treatment of these conditions, either in a home environment by the user suffering from such pain or in a training or pelvic treatment environment.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a completed pelvic floor pain treatment device in accordance with the present invention. The device 1 comprises a multilayer compressible sphere capable of bearing the weight of a human with only a desired or minimized the formation of the sphere when under such load. The device 1 is compact in size and it will allow a user to sit on it for the purpose of the treatment or rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscle pain while allowing for simple storage or transportation and represents a substantial enhancement over manual treatment devices that are currently available. The device 1 as shown has a smooth exterior surface, although it will be understood that the device 1 could also have a textured exterior surface in certain embodiments and both such approaches are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 also shows an inflation nipple 6 which would be useful for the user to adjust the level of inflation of the device 1 to a desired level of hardness or deformability.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a cutaway cross-sectional view of the device 1 of FIG. 1, along line 2-2. This Figure is intended to show a cross-sectional profile of the device 1 including the layers of the device as otherwise outlined. The interior and innermost layer or component of the device 1 is a compressible spherical core 2. The spherical core 2 of the device would comprise either an inflated bladder, such as a compressible nylon or rubber bladder or the like, having a layer strength and an interior inflation pressure to permit for maximized strength to the weight of the anticipated user and allow for only a desired amount of the formation when a user sat on the device 1. The inflated void in the interior of the core 2 is shown at 3. As outlined above, in other cases rather than using an inflatable bladder as the spherical core 2, a compressible solid foam sphere 2 could be used, again selected based upon using a material of manufacture having desired degree of deformability or compressibility. Both such approaches are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] The next layer of the device which is shown is a strengthening layer 4. The strengthening layer 4 comprises at least one wound filament 5 which is randomly wound around the spherical core 2. The strengthening layer 4 comprises a sufficient quantity of randomly wound filament 5 to provide added strength to the spherical core 2 and to achieve the desired degree of compressibility and deformability of the device 1 when used. The strengthening layer 4 might comprise a single randomly wound layer of filament 5, or might comprise a plurality of individually wound layers of one or more types of filament 5 and both such approaches are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0030] The filament 5 can comprise any type of a stretchable filament which could be used to apply a randomly wound and tightly fitting strengthening layer 4 around the spherical core 2. Any type of the filament 5 which when randomly wound around the spherical core 2 will provide added strength and deformability management to the device 1 when sat upon by the user is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] The outer layer 7 of the device 1 is a retaining covering layer which retains the filament 5 and the strengthening layer 4 and provides a cleanable outer surface to the device 1.

[0032] The inflation nipple 6 is also shown extending through the layers of the device 1 into the inflation void 3.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown the interior compressible spherical core 2 of the device of FIG. 1. The inflation nipple 6 is also shown, via which the user could adjust the level of deflation of the device 1 to get their desired level of compressibility or deformability of the device 1. As outlined, some embodiments of the device 1 might also use a fixed inflation or fixed compressibility for the spherical core 2.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows the strengthening layer 4 applied to the outside of the spherical core 2 in a perspective view. As described the strengthening layer 4 consists of a stretchable filament 5 randomly wound around the exterior of the core 2 to provide added strength in managing the deformability of the spherical core 2.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows the device 1 of FIG. 1 on a surface 10, modelling the deformity of the device 1 on the surface 10 under weight load (without a person sitting on it). FIG. 6 shows a frontal view of a person 11 sitting on the device of the present invention on a surface 10, and FIG. 7 shows a side view of FIG. 6.

[0036] The method of use of the device 1 of the present invention to treat and rehabilitate pelvic floor pain and dysfunction, as demonstrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, is also intended to be covered within the scope of the present invention. The method consists of optionally adjusting the inflation pressure or deformability of the device 1, and then sitting on the device with it in alignment with the pelvic muscles to apply releasing pressure thereon.

[0037] It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that by routine modification the present invention can be optimized for use in a wide range of conditions and application. It will also be obvious to those of skill in the art that there are various ways and designs with which to produce the apparatus and methods of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but to provide examples of the apparatus and method to enable those of skill in the art to appreciate the inventive concept.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will recognize that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. The terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps not expressly referenced.