Perineal elasticity meter

A Perineal elasticity meter having a circular central stem marked with millimeter markings and a sleeve portion surrounding the circular stem. Hinges connect the sleeve to expanders that extend from the circular stem. The perineal elasticity meter is configured to be inserted into the vagina of a patient in order to measure the elasticity of the perineal area. The sleeve includes an opening that shows a circumferential measurement achieved by the expansion of the expanders, as the sleeve moves along the central stem. Another perineal elasticity meter includes two stems connected via a hinge at a proximal portion of the stems. The proximal portions of the stems are configured to be inserted into the vagina of a patient and a measurement is taken of a distance between the expanded distal portion of the stems, thereby measuring the elasticity of the perineal area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage entry of International Application No. PCT/BR2008/000178, filed Jun. 25, 2008, which claims priority to Brazilian Application No. 018080032067, filed May 27, 2008, and Brazilian Application No. PI0702130-5, filed Jun. 26, 2007, the entire specification claims and drawings of which are incorporated herewith by reference.

Aspects presented herein provide a perineal elasticity meter, to be used in labor, in orderto evaluate if an episiotomy to a childbearing woman will be necessary during the expulsive period of childbirth.

In the past, episiotomies were routinely used. However, modern studies have shown that episiotomies can cause additional complications such as infections, pain, sexual and urinary dysfunctions and genital prolapses.

The pelvic floor muscles, known as the perineum or perineal area, endure a tremendous strain on their capacity in order to enable a baby passage during the expulsive period of labor. The distensibility or elasticity of this muscle vary significantly from one woman to another. Thus, some women require an episiotomy and other do not.

Currently, the ability of the perineum to expand is made in an evaluation by the professional person assisting the childbearing woman in an empiric manner, without any objective evidence.

Devices having a vaginal inflatable balloon exist, the purpose of which is to stiffen the pelvic floor muscles. Devices also exist whose purpose is to strain the muscle through inflatable balloon in order to increase the pelvic floor elasticity. Nevertheless, a need remains for an instrument that evaluates the strain capacity of this muscle in a quantitative way.

In order to address these needs, aspects of a perineal elasticity meter are presented herein. This device will be used before the expulsive period of childbirth. The device is used by introducing it into the middle third portion of the vagina. Once inserted, the meter will be opened and measurement component indicates a diameter measurement of the gap. When this measure is longer than 12 cm, for example, the measurement provides an indication that the patient will not need an episiotomy.

A second example device operates in a similar manner, and is configured to be used before the expulsive period of childbirth. It is, also, configured to be inserted into the middle third portion of the vagina. However, the second example device differs from the first example model, in that this device will be configured to open only in an anterior-posterior direction. After the device is opened in the anterior-posterior direction, a millimeter measuring component will precisely show the gap measurement.

The perineal elasticity meter, as described herein, could comprise a material that can be sterilized after each use, and can also comprise a disposable material that can be disposed of after use.

As seen inFIG. 1, the arms7and8are fixed in their medial face by hinges11and12, the hinges11,12being linked to two rings13and14fixed in the central stem1. The arms7and8are connected at hinges9and10to expanders4. Arm8, also connects to a hinge15which connects to arm16that has its distal end connected to sleeve2through hinge17.

Thus, when pressure is applied to the sleeve2, it demonstrates the circumference measurement through window3and applies pressure to arm16that in turn applies pressure to arms7and8which expand the expanders4opening the circumference of the device to a maximum of, e.g., 12 centimeters in diameter.

Aspects of a second example model are shown in perspective (FIG. 2) and in an open state (FIG. 3). The second example includes two stems21that are fixed in their proximal extremities (or internal) through hinge22. In the distal (or external) extremity, there is a millimeter ruler23, e.g., a measurement component. The measurement component can be either fixed or can be configured to move relative to the stem via hinge24. The stems1can be configured to have a form similar to gynecological speculum in their external face (convex surfaces) until approximately a middle of their extensions25. The portion shaped similar to a speculum, or having a convex shape, finishes in a border26that limits the penetration of the device. The stems continue to extend beyond the border26, in planar surfaces27configured to be grasped by the hands of the examiner.

A test performed with a perineal elasticity meter according to aspects presented herein, could be perceived by the patient similar to a gynecological specular exam. However, the perineal exam using the perineal elasticity meter present herein provides a more surfacial exam (e.g., measuring elasticity properties of the middle third of the vagina) and does not have contact with the uterine cervix.

Of course, this equipment can be made using various materials, sizes and colors as will be understood by one of skill in the art.