Patent EA-000960-B1 (EA)
Title: Apparatus for treatment of the female pelvic floor
Inventor: CHRISTENSEN JANE NOGLEBAEK
IPC: A61M29/00
Filed: 1998-03-26
Abstract: 1. An apparatus, in particular for use in the antenatal period of pregnant women, and comprising a mandrel for insertion into the vagina, the main function of said apparatus being to dilate muscular, tendinous and connective tissue in the pelvic floor so as to make these tissue structures more elastic, characterized in that the mandrel (3) has mounted thereon a length of hose (4) which is expandable by means of a fluid and which may be connected with a pump (2) or the like for the fluid through at least one channel (6) in the mandrel, and that the mandrel has at least one vent channel (5) extending longitudinally through it and terminating outside the user in the use of the apparatus. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an end of the mandrel (3) has a slightly curved shape adapted anatomically to the vagina. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the part of the apparatus (1) adjoining the mandrel (3) is formed with a curvature opposite the curvature of the mandrel. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the vent channel (5) has a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear course. 5. An apparatus according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the mandrel is formed with recesses e.g. so that it presents ribs (21) in the area below the length of hose. 6. An apparatus according to one of clams 1-5, characterized in that the mandrel (3) is defined by an elevation (19) relative to the rest of the apparatus. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the elevation (19) is constructed as a locking ring for the length of hose. 8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the elevation (19) is provided with axially extending grooves (20) on the outer side. 9. An apparatus according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that it comprises a casing which may be pushed inwardly over the front end of the mandrel to cover a front portion of the length of hose (4) so that just the inner part of said length is active. 10. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the part (1) adjoining the mandrel has the shape of a bowl, and that the opening thereof and one end of the air pump (6) are constructed for detachable attachment of the air pump in the opening. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the air pump (6) is connected by a hose (52) with the rest of the apparatus, and that the bowl-shaped part (1) is preferably shaped such that the hose may be stored in it. 12. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the mandrel (3) is formed by an outer pipe (31) which, with an inner pipe (34), may be secured to the bowl-shaped part (1), preferably by threads. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the length of hose (4) is secured between one end (32) of the inner pipe and the end of the part (1) and between its other end (32) and a collar (36) on the inner pipe (43), respectively. 14. A protective cover for the apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed by a length of hose (10) intended for application to the mandrel (3) and at least secured at or near one end. 15. A protective cover according to claim 14, characterized in that the length of hose (10, 53) is provided with an elastic ring (11), one end being intended for application to the part of the apparatus which is present outside the user in use, the other end of the length of hose being intended for insertion into the vent channel (5). 16. A protective cover according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that one end of the length of hose (10, 53) is shaped as a pipe (54) intended for insertion into the vent channel (5) of the apparatus. 17. A protective cover according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it is constructed so as to assume a maximum size in the transverse direction to restrict the maximum expansion of the apparatus.