Exercising kegel muscles using preprogrammed exercise programs
A Kegel muscle exercising apparatus includes various exercise programs that adaptively change depending on a user's exercise performance. This apparatus includes an insertable device for inserting into the body of a user, computer program code that contains exercise programs that specify operation of a stimulation mechanism by a controller, a stimulation mechanism that directs a user to contract her Kegel muscles according to an exercise program, a sensor that measures Kegel muscle contraction activity, and a controller that receives feedback from the sensor. This feedback comprises the results of an exercise program, and depending on the results, the apparatus can determine a different exercise program appropriate for the user. Following the different exercise programs allows a user to improve her Kegel muscle strength.
1. A method for exercising the Kegel muscles, the method comprising:
initiating a first exercise program in an apparatus inserted in the body of a user, wherein an exercise program specifies operation of a stimulation mechanism integrated within the apparatus, the stimulation mechanism configured to deliver one or more physical stimuli to the user at a location of the inserted apparatus, the operation corresponding with an instruction specified by the exercise program and varying the physical stimulus according to the exercise program, the exercise program specifying a plurality of patterns of operation of the stimulation mechanism that each correspond to a type of muscle contraction instructed to the user, wherein a pattern of the plurality of patterns of operation includes a contraction period and a relaxation period, the contraction period following delivery of a contraction stimulus comprising one or more physical stimuli that instructs the user to contract the Kegel muscles and the relaxation period following delivery of a relaxation stimulus comprising one of the one or more physical stimuli that instructs the user to relax the Kegel muscles;
monitoring, via a sensor integrated within the apparatus, results of the first exercise program performed by a user on the inserted apparatus;
selecting a second exercise program in the apparatus customized to the user based on the results of the first exercise and the results monitored; and
initiating the second exercise program.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pattern of the plurality of patterns of operation includes multiple cycles, each cycle of the multiple cycles containing at least one contraction period and at least one relaxation period.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the contraction stimulus lasts for about one second and the relaxation stimulus lasts for about one second.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the contraction period lasts for between about five seconds and about fifteen seconds and the relaxation period lasts for between about five seconds and about fifteen seconds.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the pattern of the plurality of patterns of operation includes at least five cycles.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the results are displayed on a display unit coupled to the apparatus.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the display unit comprises a mobile phone.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second exercise program is selected by a method comprising:
displaying the results of the first exercise program to a user; and
receiving a selection for a second exercise program by the user.
9. A method for exercising the Kegel muscles, the method comprising:
initiating a first exercise program in an apparatus inserted in the body of a user, wherein an exercise program specifies operation of a stimulation mechanism integrated within the apparatus, the stimulation mechanism configured to deliver one or more physical stimuli to the user at a location of the inserted apparatus, the operation corresponding with an instruction specified by the exercise program and varying the physical stimulus according to the exercise program, the exercise program specifying a plurality of patterns of operation of the stimulation mechanism that each correspond to a type of muscle contraction instructed to the user, wherein a pattern of the plurality of patterns of operation includes a contraction period and a relaxation period;
monitoring, via a sensor integrated within the apparatus, results of the first exercise program performed by a user on the inserted apparatus, wherein the results comprise a measure of reaction time of the muscle contracting in response to operation of the stimulation mechanism;
selecting a second exercise program in the apparatus customized to the user based on the results of the first exercise and the results monitored; and
initiating the second exercise program.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the contraction period follows delivery of a contraction stimulus comprising one of the one or more physical stimuli that instructs the user to contract the Kegel muscles.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the relaxation period follows delivery of a relaxation stimulus comprising one of the one or more physical stimuli that instructs the user to relax the Kegel muscles.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising providing the results for display.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the results are displayed on a display unit coupled to the apparatus.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the display unit comprises a mobile phone.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second exercise program is selected by a method comprising:
displaying the results of the first exercise program to a user on a mobile phone; and
receiving a selection for a second exercise program by the user.
16. A method for exercising the Kegel muscles, the method comprising:
initiating a first exercise program in an apparatus inserted in the body of a user, wherein an exercise program specifies operation of a stimulation mechanism integrated within the apparatus, the stimulation mechanism configured to deliver one or more physical stimuli to the user at a location of the inserted apparatus, wherein the stimulation mechanism comprises a motor that vibrates the insertable device, the operation corresponding with an instruction specified by the exercise program and varying the physical stimulus according to the exercise program, the exercise program specifying a plurality of patterns of operation of the stimulation mechanism that each correspond to a type of muscle contraction instructed to the user;
monitoring, via a sensor integrated within the apparatus, results of the first exercise program performed by a user on the inserted apparatus;
selecting a second exercise program in the apparatus customized to the user based on the results of the first exercise and the results monitored; and
initiating the second exercise program.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the contraction period follows delivery of a contraction stimulus comprising one of the one or more physical stimuli that instructs the user to contract the Kegel muscles.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the relaxation period follows delivery of a relaxation stimulus comprising one of the one or more physical stimuli that instructs the user to relax the Kegel muscles.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the results are displayed on a display unit coupled to the apparatus.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the display unit comprises a mobile phone.