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KR-102964966-B1 - Pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation

KR102964966B1KR 102964966 B1KR102964966 B1KR 102964966B1KR-102964966-B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pelvic floor muscle exercise device utilizing pressure sensing and vibration stimulation. The device comprises a seated exercise aid for pelvic floor muscle exercise, the seated body on which a user sits; a first airbag unit positioned at the anus-corresponding position of the main body that protrudes and contracts vertically according to the increase or decrease of internal air pressure to form contact pressure and transmit the user's contraction motion as a pressure change; a second airbag unit positioned at the urethra or vagina-corresponding position of the main body that adjusts the protrusion height and degree of contact according to changes in air pressure to transmit changes in contraction intensity as pressure changes; and a third airbag unit positioned at the adductor thigh-corresponding position of the main body configured to directly sense contact pressure resulting from leg tightening motion.

Inventors

  • 이근재
  • 최만철

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20260123

Claims (6)

  1. A seated exercise aid for pelvic floor muscle exercises, comprising: a main body on which a user sits; A first airbag part positioned at the anal-corresponding position of the main body and protruding and contracting vertically according to the increase or decrease of internal air pressure to form contact pressure, thereby transmitting the user's contraction motion as a pressure change; A second airbag portion positioned at a urethral or vaginal corresponding position of the main body above, which adjusts the protrusion height and degree of contact by changes in air pressure and transmits changes in contraction strength as changes in pressure; and It includes a third airbag unit positioned at a location corresponding to the adductor muscle of the thigh of the main body and configured to directly detect contact pressure resulting from a leg tightening motion; A pressure sensor that converts changes in internal pressure of each airbag unit into an electrical signal; An air pressure drive unit that controls the protrusion amount and contact strength by supplying and discharging air to each airbag section, including a pump and a solenoid valve; A controller that compares the real-time pressure value from the pressure sensor with a user-set target pressure level and controls the pneumatic drive unit in a closed loop (feedback) until the target range is reached, thereby inducing the user's muscle contraction intensity to be maintained within the target pressure range; It includes a vibration module that outputs a stimulation pattern to relieve muscle fatigue or provide a feedback signal according to the control of the above controller, A pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation, characterized in that the above controller operates to induce maintenance of the target range by indicating, via visual, auditory, and vibration signals, to increase contraction intensity when real-time pressure falls below the target range and to relax force when it exceeds the target range.
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  3. In paragraph 1, The above controller sets a three-stage exercise cycle of relaxation, contraction, and maintenance (maintaining target pressure) as a time parameter, and During each stage transition, guidance is provided via displays such as LEDs, segments, or OLEDs, or through voice guidance, and A pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation, characterized by operating to allow the user to stably maintain a target pressure value by changing the vibration pattern, display color, and lighting pattern according to real-time pressure deviation during the maintenance phase.
  4. In paragraph 1, The above vibration module is, (a) When pressure is maintained within the target range, output low-amplitude, low-frequency relaxation vibrations to relieve fatigue, and (b) When the pressure deviates from the target range, a feedback type vibration is output with at least one of the amplitude, frequency, and duty cycle changed so that the user can intuitively sense the direction of force increase/decrease, and (c) A pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation, characterized by switching to a massage mode at the end of the exercise phase to assist in post-exercise relaxation of the muscles.
  5. In paragraph 1, The above controller provides anal mode, urethral/vaginal mode, adductor muscle mode, and integrated mode, and It automatically maps the airbag, sensor, and vibration modules to be activated according to the selected mode, and loads the target pressure range, step level, and cycle time for each mode, A pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation, characterized by operating to drive a cycle immediately after reference pressure calibration at the start.
  6. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned first airbag unit, second airbag unit, and third airbag unit are, Airbag for pressing pressure sensing and contact structures against the user's body; A sensor module that converts the internal pressure of the airbag into an electrical signal and transmits the signal to a control unit; A spring that reduces noise during vibration driving and provides a return force during air exhaust to induce rapid deflation of the airbag; Sound-absorbing sponge that absorbs mechanical noise generated when the vibration module operates; A rubber vibration-damping support layer that mechanically supports structures while blocking vibration transmission; and A vibration motor that outputs vibration stimulation for muscle fatigue relief or feedback signal provision according to the control of a control unit; comprising Pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation.

Description

Pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation The present invention relates to a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation. The present invention relates to an exercise assistance device for improving various pelvic floor-related symptoms, such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic floor laxity, caused by the functional decline or weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. More specifically, the invention relates to a pressure-based pelvic floor muscle exercise device that enables a user to contract and relax the anus, urethra/vagina, and thigh adductor muscles independently or integrally while seated, and precisely detects pressure changes occurring during this process while providing real-time feedback. Generally, the pelvic floor muscles consist of a group of muscles located in the lower pelvis that support the urethra, vagina, and rectum, playing a crucial role in various bodily functions such as urination, defecation, sexual function, and organ support. However, these muscles can weaken due to factors such as pregnancy and childbirth, aging, obesity, prolonged sitting, and pelvic misalignment, leading to increased discomfort related to urinary incontinence or pelvic floor relaxation. While self-training methods like Kegel exercises have been widely recommended, they have limitations in that it is difficult for users to determine for themselves whether they are contracting the correct muscles at the appropriate intensity. Beginners, in particular, often repeat incorrect exercise patterns by using abdominal, gluteal, or thigh muscles instead of the target muscles, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of the workout. To address these issues, some conventional technologies have proposed seat-type sensors or simple airbag-based pressure pads. However, existing devices often measure pressure in a single area or struggle to distinguish actual pelvic floor muscle contraction due to inaccurate sensitivity. Furthermore, most devices lack intuitive feedback to indicate whether the user has deviated from the target pressure range; as they are limited to visual displays, they present a problem in that users find it difficult to perceive the situation in real-time while seated. Moreover, while exercise induction technologies utilizing vibration stimulation have existed, their applicability was limited to simple vibration output levels and failed to provide customized feedback based on pressure changes in individual muscle groups. On the other hand, although pelvic floor muscle exercises are complex muscle movements performed through the coordinated action of the anal region, muscles around the urethra/vagina, and thigh adductor muscles, most conventional devices have only performed pressure measurements in a single direction (anterior or posterior). As a result, it has been difficult to detect issues where users apply excessive force to specific areas or, conversely, fail to adequately utilize specific muscles, and it has been difficult to induce balanced activation of the entire muscle group. Furthermore, existing devices have technical limitations in that the pressure sensing structure and the vibration structure are not separated, making accurate pressure measurement difficult due to noise generated during vibration and interference between the structures. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the before and after operation of a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the interior of a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the interior of the third airbag portion of a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the first airbag part and the second airbag part of a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the muscles around the pelvis. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a prototype of a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the sequence of operations of a pelvic floor muscle exercise device using pressure sensing and vibration stimulation according to one embodiment of the present invention. It protrudes and contracts in the up and down directions by exhausting. When the internal air pressure increases, the airbag protrudes upward and app