Treatment of pelvic organ prolapse
A method and device for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor prolapse is provided. The diagnosis and treatment may involve the use of a multiple sensor-enabled device for vaginal insertion capable of providing real-time data regarding the patient's physiology, the position and movement of the urethra, and the muscular strength of the patient's vagina and pelvic floor. The methods and devices of the invention may also be useful to addressing other medical issues, including urinary incontinence, sexual health, and fecal incontinence, as well as facilitate patient home wellness activities.
1. A method for treating a female patient with a pelvic floor disorder comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting into the patient's vagina a device comprising microelectromechanical accelerometers positioned along a length of the device;
(b) displaying on a graphical user interface a visual representation of the patient's vagina corresponding to a position of the device that is generated by the accelerometers prior to performance of a pelvic floor exercise, and recording the position that is prior to the performance;
(c) displaying on the graphical user interface a visual representation of the patient's vagina corresponding to a position of the device that is generated by the accelerometers during the performance of the pelvic floor exercise by the patient, and recording the position that is during the performance;
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) one or more times; and
(e) generating pelvic floor position information based on the recorded positions of the patient's vagina during steps (b) and (c) and using the pelvic floor position information to guide the patient via the visual representation during at least one step (c) so as to activate pelvic floor muscles that strengthen the pelvic floor or to limit activation of pelvic floor muscles that harm the pelvic floor, thereby treating the pelvic floor disorder.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein steps (b) and (c) occur in real-time and/or wherein the device transmits the positions of the patient's vagina during steps (b) and (c) wirelessly to the graphical user interface.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface is a display screen of a computer or smart phone.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein steps (b) and (c) are repeated five or six times daily and/or wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed every four to six weeks.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a pressure sensor.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is inserted wholly within the vagina.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method strengthens the pelvic floor muscles of the patient.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pelvic floor exercise comprises a Kegel maneuver.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pelvic floor exercise comprises a Valsalva maneuver.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pelvic floor disorder is pelvic floor weakness or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the female patient.