PERINEUM OVERLAY DEVICE
A perineum overlay device for locating anatomical features within the perineum of a patient and/or needle insertion sites for targeting anatomical features within the perineum of a patient includes a section of flexible material and a plurality of markings printed on a first side of the section of the material. The section of flexible material is configured to conform and cover a portion of the perineum of a patient. The plurality of markings are each configured to identify a location of an anatomical feature within the perineum and/or a needle insertion site corresponding to a targeted anatomical feature within the perineum, when the section is positioned over the perineum of a patient.
1 . A perineum overlay device for locating anatomical features within the perineum of a patient and/or needle insertion sites for targeting anatomical features within the perineum of a patient, the device comprising:
a section of flexible material configured to conform and cover a portion of the perineum of a patient; and
a plurality of markings printed on a first side of the section, each marking configured to identify a location of at least one of an anatomical feature within the perineum and a needle insertion site corresponding to a targeted anatomical feature within the perineum, when the section is positioned over the perineum of a patient.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer on a second side of the section that is opposite the first side.
3 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the section is configured to cover the vagina of a patient.
4 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the section is configured to cover the urethra of a patient.
5 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the section is configured to cover the anus of a patient.
6 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the markings include at least one anatomical marking configured to identify a location of one or more muscles selected from the group consisting of the puborectalis muscle, the pubococcygeus muscle, and the iliococcygeus muscle.
7 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the markings include at least one anatomical marking configured to identify a location of an anatomical feature of a patient selected from the group consisting of the vagina, the urethra, and the anus.
8 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the markings include at least one needle insertion site marking configured to identify a needle insertion site.
9 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the markings comprise graphical markings.
10 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the markings comprise textual markings.
11 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the markings comprise one or more openings in the section of flexible material.
12 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a needle stop attached to the first side of the section, the needle stop including a body having cylindrical bore through which a needle may be inserted.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the needle stop is positioned at a needle insertion site.
14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the needle stop is positioned over one of the markings identifying a needle insertion site.
15 . A method of treating a pelvic condition of a patient comprising:
positioning a perineum overlay device comprising a section of flexible material over the perineum of a patient comprising:
aligning alignment markings on a first side of the section with corresponding features on the perineum; and
bonding a second side of the section to the perineum;
inserting a needle through a needle insertion site marking or an anatomical marking on the first side of the section and into tissue of the patient; and
performing a pelvic treatment using the needle.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the alignment markings comprise at least one anatomical marking identifying an anatomical feature of the patient selected from the group consisting of the vagina, the urethra, and the anus; and
aligning alignment markings comprises aligning the at least one anatomical marking with the corresponding anatomical feature of the patient.
17 . The method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein:
the alignment markings comprise at least one opening; and
aligning alignment markings comprises aligning the at least one opening to a mark applied to the epidermis of the perineum of the patient or an anatomical feature of the patient.
18 . The method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein bonding a second side of the section to the perineum comprises bonding an adhesive layer attached to the second side of the section to epidermis of the perineum.
19 . The method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein inserting a needle through a needle insertion site marking or an anatomical marking on the first side of the section and into tissue of the patient comprises:
inserting a needle through a cylindrical bore of a needle stop attached to the first side of the section; and
limiting a depth at which the needle is inserted into the tissue through engagement with a shoulder portion of the needle stop.
20 . The method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein performing a pelvic treatment using the needle comprises at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of injecting a substance into the tissue, recording electromyogram signals, electrically stimulating the tissue, and implanting an electrode in the tissue.