BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] Some medical conditions require applying external pressure on a body part, for example, for blocking bleeding from a blood vessel. In yet another example applying external pressure to a man's vas deferens between the anus and the pubic bone during sexual intercourse may delay the man's ejaculation thus may solve problems such as early ejaculation.

[002] There are several known attempts to solve early ejaculation, with only partial success, most of them involve taking medications or having a surgical intervention. A simple "mechanical" device may solve the problem with little to no side effects or risk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] Some embodiments of the invention may be related to a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body part of a user. The device may include a pressure applying head for applying pressure on the portion of the body, for example, a blood vessel or a vas deferens. The device may further include an actuator configured to cause the pressure applying head to apply pressure on the body part and a fastening unit for fastening the device to a body of a user. In some embodiments, the device may further include at least one sensor, for example, heart rate and/or blood pressure sensor and a controller configured to receive from the at least sensor a signal (e.g., a raise in the heart rate or blood pressure) and control the actuator based on the signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[004] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: [005] Fig. 1 is a high level block diagram of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention;

[006] Fig. 2 is an illustration of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention;

[007] Figs. 3A and 3B are illustrations of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention;

[008] Fig. 4 is an illustration of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention;

[009] Figs. 5A and 5B are illustrations of devices for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0010] Fig. 6 is an illustration of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention; and

[0011] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method of applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0012] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0013] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0014] In some embodiments it may be required to apply external pressure on a portion of a body. The device may be fasten to a body part, for example, the upper leg, the ram and the like. The device may include an element for applying the pressure.

[0015] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which is a high level block diagram of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention. A device 100 for applying pressure on a portion of a body may include a pressure applying head 110, an actuator 120 configured to cause the pressure applying head to apply pressure on the body part and an fastening unit 130 for fastening the device to a body of a user. In some embodiments, device 100 may further include a trigger 140 for activating actuator 120, a controller 150 and at least one sensor 160.

[0016] Pressure applying head 110 may include at least one of: a cushion, a sponge, a rubber cover and the like, for example, the sponge shown in Fig. 2. In some embodiments, pressure applying head 110 may include an inflatable balloon, as illustrated and discussed with respect to Figs. 5-6.

[0017] Reference is made to Fig. 2 which is an illustration of an example of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention. Device 100 of Fig. 2 may further include an arm 125 supporting pressure applying head 110. In some embodiments, actuator 120 is configured to move arm 125 and head 110 with respect to fastening unit 130.

[0018] Actuator 120 may be or may include at least one of: a pump, a compressed gas tank, a piston, a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, an electrical motor, a spring, a gear and the like. For example, actuator 120 may include the piston shown in Fig. 2. Additional examples for various actuators are given in Figs. 3-6. [0019] Fastening unit 130 may include any element or device that may allow the fastening and detachment of device 100 to a body portion (e.g., a body part) of a user. For example, fastening unit 130 may include a wearable element (e.g., underwear, shoulder straps and the like). In another example, fastening unit 130 may include one or more straps to be strapped around the at least one limb of the body, for example, the straps shown in Fig. 2.

[0020] Trigger 140 may include any element that may allow the user to control actuator 120 to cause head 110 to apply pressure on the user's body portion. For example, trigger 140 may include a button, a switch and/or a handle (shown in Fig. 2). In some embodiments, trigger 140 may include a light source for allowing the user to activate device 100 when visibility is limited (e.g., during the night).

[0021] In some embodiments, device 100 may automatically be activated following a detection of physiological changes in the user's body, for example, raise or drop in the blood pressure or heartrate, changes in the muscles' tonus , and the like. In some embodiments, controller 150 may receive from at least sensor 160 a signal and may control the actuator based on the signal. Controller 150 may include any processing unit and memory required to perform and execute instruction for receiving signals from a sensor and activating actuator 20 based on the received signals. For example, controller 150 may include a chip. In some embodiments, device 100 may include a timer 152 in communication with controller 150 and/or sensor 160, for measuring time periods as disclosed below. Timer 152 may be configured to measure time periods for activating actuator 160. In some embodiments, controller 150 may control actuator 160 to cause pressure applying head 110 to apply pressure on the portion of the body for a predetermined amount of time based on inputs received from timer 152, for example, the initiation time of the pressure application.

[0022] In some embodiments, sensor 150 may be a blood pressure sensor and the signal received indicates an increase/decrease in the blood pressure. In such case controller 150 may activate actuator 120 to cause pressure applying head 110 to apply pressure on a portion of a body , e.g., for a predefined time period, measured by timer 152, following the increase/decrease in the blood pressure. In some embodiments, sensor 150 may be a heart rate sensor and the signal received indicates an increase in the heart rate. In such case controller 150 may activate actuator 120 to cause pressure applying head 110 to apply pressure on a portion of a body, for a predefined duration of time, measured by timer 152, following the increase in the heart rate. It should be appreciated that other sensors may be used. For example, sensor 150 may be a galvanic skin response sensor, a humidity sensor and the like. It should be further appreciated that more than one sensor 150 may be used. According to some embodiments, activation of actuator 120 may be manual e.g., by pressing a button or a switch, and sensor or sensors 150 may cause the retraction of pressure applying head 110 from applying pressure on a portion of a body , when a sensed parameter indicates that pressure should be removed. For example, upon detecting a rise in the blood pressure or the heartrate above a predetermined threshold (e.g., a safety value) actuator 120 may retract pressure applying head 110 from applying pressure, at least until the blood pressure or the heartrate are reduced back to values below the safety value.

[0023] In some embodiments, device 100 may further include a power supply for supplying power to actuator 20 and/or controller 150 and/or sensor 160. In some embodiments, the power supply may include a battery, for example, when the actuator is or includes an electric motor or an electric pump. In some embodiments, the power supply may be a pressurized gas tank, for example, when actuator 20 is an inflatable balloon and/or a pneumatic piston.

[0024] Reference is now made to Figs. 3A and 3B which are illustrations of an open position and close position, respectively, of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention. A device 10 may include a first arm 12 A, for being attached to a first limb 22A (e.g., a thigh) of the user by a strap 26A, and a second arm 12B, for being attached to a second limb 22B (e.g., a second thigh) of the user by a strap 26B. Device 10 may further include a pressure applying head 14, for applying pressure on a user's body portion 24, and an actuator 16 that includes a gear for converting rotation movementl8A of first arm 12A and/or rotation 18B of second arm 12B to linear motion 20 of pressure applying head 14.

[0025] In some embodiments, actuator 16 may include round gears 28 A and 28B extending from arms 12A and 12B and being rotatable about a hinge and a linear double-sided gear 30 being complementary to round gears 28A and 28B, and pressed thereby. Linear double-sided gear 30 may support pressure applying head 14.

[0026] Reference is now made to Fig. 4 which is an illustration of a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention. A device 200 for applying pressure on a portion of a body may include a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator 50 that may be operated by pressing a trigger 36 (e.g., a push button), for example, by the hand of the user. Hydraulic fluid may be pushed through a pipe 38, upon pressing trigger 36, causing an arm 52 to be pushed by a piston 32, thus pressing head 14 against body portion 24 of the user. Device 40 may further include a wearable fastening mechanism 40, for example in a shape of underwear.

[0027] Reference is now made to Figs. 5 A and 5B which are illustrations of examples of devices for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention. Devices 300 and 400 may include inflatable pressure applying heads 14 (e.g., in the form of inflatable balloons). Devices 300 and 400 may include hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. In device 300 the user may press trigger (e.g., push button) 36 to directly inflate pressure applying head 14 with a hydraulic fluid or gas. In some embodiments, a manual pneumatic actuator may be used and may include a pumping unit that may allow the user to manually pump air and inflate head 14. In device 400, pressing trigger 36 may activate hydraulic or pneumatic pump 48 or another electromechanical mechanism to cause hydraulic fluid or gas to inflate pressure applying head 14. In some embodiments, device 400 may further include a pressure sensor 52 that may limit the operation of pump 48 or the electromechanical mechanism, for example, for limiting the sliding or the widening of pressure applying head 14. Upon inflating pressure applying head 14 pressure may be formed on body portion 24 (not illustrated). Devices 300 and 400 may be fastened to limbs 22a and/or 22b by any fastening mechanism.

[0028] Reference is now made to Fig. 6 which is an illustration of an example for a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body according to some embodiments of the invention. Device 500 may include an electromechanical actuator 54 that may cause an inflation of pressure applying head 14 to cause pressure on a portion 24 of a body as discussed above.

[0029] In some embodiments, actuators 54, 48, 50, 16 and 120 may all be controlled and activated automatically by a controller, such as controller 150, for example, in response to a signal received from a sensor such as sensor 160.

[0030] Reference is now made to Fig. 7 which is a flowchart of a method of applying pressure on a portion of a body part of a user according to some embodiments of the invention. The method of Fig. 7 may be performed by any one of devices 10 and 100-500 disclosed above. In box 710, embodiments may include fastening a device for applying pressure on a portion of a body of a user to a body part of the user. For example, any one of devices 10 and 100-500 may be fastened to a user body part (e.g., leg, arm etc.) using fastening unit 130, straps 26A and/or 26B and the like. In box 720, embodiments may include causing a pressure applying head included in the device to apply pressure on the portion of the body using an actuator. Actuators 54, 48, 50, 16 and 120 may cause pressure applying heads 14 or 110 to apply pressure on the portion of the body, for example, by inflating an inflatable head 14 or 110 or moving an arm supporting head 14 or 110. For example, the portion of the body may be the underarm and applying the pressure may be for blocking bleeding from a blood vessel. In yet another example the portion of the body may be a man's vas deferens between the anus and the pubic bone, and applying pressure may be during sexual intercourse in order to delay the man's ejaculation thus to solve problems such as early ejaculation. [0031] In box 730, embodiments may include receiving from at least one sensor included in the device a signal. A controller such as controller 150 included in any one of devices 10 and 100-500 may receive from sensor 160 a signal indicating raise/drop in blood pressure, heart rate and the like. In box 740, embodiments may include controlling the actuator to cause the pressure applying head to apply pressure on the portion of the body, based on the signal. Controller 150 may control any one of actuators 54, 48, 50, 16 and 120 to cause pressure applying heads 14 or 110 to apply pressure on the portion of the body, as disclosed above. In some embodiments, controlling the actuator to cause the pressure applying head to apply pressure on the portion of the body may be for a predetermined amount of time based on inputs received from a timer included in the device.

[0032] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.