FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to medical apparatus, and more particularly to, an apparatus for vaginal exercise.

BACKGROUND

[2] Women, for centuries have been suffering from cervical cancer and due to unhealthy lifestyle, the number of women suffering from cervical cancer has been exponentially increasing.

[3] Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix— the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, plays a role in causing most cervical cancer. When a woman’s vagina is exposed to HPV, a woman's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small group of women, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cells on the surface of the cervix to become cancer cells.

[4] Women suffering from cervical cancer, usually post radiation, suffer from dry vaginal passage. Only after four months of post radiation, adhesions begin to form in woman’s vaginal passage. The adhesion formation takes place due to lack of oxygen supply to vaginal tissues. Other than forming adhesions, the vaginal tissues starts to shrink, and the vaginal muscles weaken and gradually lose their tone.

[5] In order to prevent stenos is, medical practitioners recommend vaginal dilating therapy but due to dry vaginal passage, patient often undergoes pain and may also suffer from fistula and infections. Due to extreme pain, patients hesitate from exercising vaginal dilating therapy, thereby resulting in complete shrinkage of vagina and various other issues.

[6] Currently, available vaginal dilating kits are provided with a vaginal dilator made of hard rubber layers or latex, and condoms as lubricant. The available vaginal dilator material causes severe injury in the vaginal passage, and as condoms are provided as lubricants, there are high chances of condoms getting tom while exercising, thereby causing severe injuries in the vaginal passage.

[7] Therefore, there is a requirement of an apparatus that can overcome the aforementioned issues. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[8] In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for vaginal exercise is provided. The apparatus includes a convex shaped housing, wherein the convex shaped housing includes a first side comprising a first set of openings on a surface of the first side, a first set of sensors configured to sense an amount of force applied to one or more adhesions formed in a vaginal passage and an actuator configured to enable discharge of liquid, via the first set of openings, corresponding to sensed force applied on the one or more adhesions, wherein the liquid is stored in a first container.

[9] The apparatus also includes a hollow cylindrical housing operatively coupled to the convex shaped housing. The hollow cylindrical housing includes a second set of openings provided on a surface of the hollow cylindrical housing and a second set of sensors configured to sense an amount of force applied on the hollow cylindrical housing upon contraction of a plurality of vaginal muscles. The hollow cylindrical housing is configured to store the liquid, wherein the liquid is discharged, via the second set of openings, corresponding to sensed force applied by the contraction of the plurality of vaginal muscles.

[10] The apparatus also includes a concave shaped housing operatively coupled to the hollow cylindrical housing. The concave shaped housing includes a plurality of vibrators configured to stimulate a plurality of external muscles of a vaginal wall.

[11] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus (10) for vaginal exercise, comprising:

a convex shaped housing (100) comprising:

a first side (102) comprising a first set of openings (104) on a first surface (112) of the first side (102);

a first set of sensors (106) configured to sense an amount of force applied to one or more adhesions formed in a vaginal passage;

an actuator (110) configured to enable discharge of liquid, via the first set of openings (104), corresponding to sensed force applied on the one or more adhesions, wherein the liquid is stored in the convex shaped housing (100); a hollow cylindrical housing (200), operatively coupled to a second side of the convex shaped housing (100), wherein the hollow cylindrical housing (200) comprises: a second set of openings (202) provided on a second surface (206) of the hollow cylindrical housing (200);

a second set of sensors (204) configured to sense an amount of force applied on the hollow cylindrical housing (200) upon contraction of a plurality of vaginal muscles;

wherein the liquid is stored in the hollow cylindrical housing (200), wherein the liquid is discharged, via the second set of openings (202), corresponding to sensed force applied by the contraction of the plurality of vaginal muscles; and

a concave shaped housing (300), operatively coupled to the hollow cylindrical housing (200), wherein the concave shaped housing (300) comprises a plurality of vibrators (302) configured to stimulate a plurality of external muscles of a vaginal wall.

[12] In another aspect, the convex shaped housing (100) and the hollow cylindrical housing (200) comprises a measuring scale (108).

[13] In another aspect, the first set of sensors (106) and the second set of sensors (204) comprise a pressure sensor.

[14] In another aspect, the liquid comprises a plurality of pH-level indicators, an anti-fungal composition, a lubricant and an anaesthetic.

[15] In an embodiment, the the plurality of pH-level indicators is configured to detect pH-levels in at least one of vaginal secretions and blood secretions.

[16] In another aspect, the convex shaped housing (100), the hollow cylindrical housing (200) and the concave shaped housing (300) comprises silicone.

[17] In another aspect, the actuator (110) comprises a plunger rod operatively coupled to a plunger tip.

[18] In an embodiment, the plunger rod of the actuator (110) is operatively coupled to a motor, wherein the motor is configured to control the actuator (110).

[19] In yet another aspect, the apparatus (10) of the present disclosure further comprises an interface unit (1000) configured to enable the actuator (110) to discharge a corresponding amount of liquid upon receiving sensed data, wherein the interface unit (1000) is operatively coupled to at least one of the convex shaped housing (100), the hollow cylindrical housing (200) and the concave shaped housing (300). [20] In another aspect, the interface unit (1000) further comprises a display unit configured to:

display the amount of force applied by the convex shaped housing(lOO); display the amount of force applied to the hollow cylindrical housing

(200); and

display the amount of liquid discharged by the at least one of the convex shaped housing (100) and the hollow cylindrical housing (200).

[21] In further embodiment of the present apparatus, the apparatus includes an interface unit configured to enable the actuator to discharge a corresponding amount of liquid upon receiving sensed data, wherein the interface unit is operatively coupled to at least one of the convex housing, the hollow cylindrical housing and the concave housing.

[22] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

[23] FIG. 1 is a pictorial depiction of an apparatus for vaginal exercise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[24] FIG. 2 is a pictorial depiction of an embodiment of an apparatus for vaginal exercise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[25] FIG. 3 is a pictorial depiction of an embodiment of an apparatus for vaginal exercise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[26] FIG. 4 is a pictorial depiction of an embodiment of an apparatus for vaginal exercise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[27] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[28] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

[29] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub- systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

[30] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

[31] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms“a”,“an”, and“the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [32] FIG. 1 is a pictorial depiction of an apparatus for vaginal exercise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus (10) includes a convex shaped housing (100), a hollow cylindrical housing (200), a concave shaped housing (300) and an interface unit (1000). The apparatus (10) is used for, including but not limited to, breaking one or more adhesions formed in a vaginal passage, strengthening of a plurality of internal vaginal muscles and a plurality of external vaginal muscles. The convex shaped housing (100) is curved in nature to provide ease of movement into the vaginal passage. In one embodiment, the apparatus (10) may be a phallus shaped.

[33] The apparatus (10) also includes a first closable orifice (112), a second closable orifice (208) and a handle (600). The first closable orifice (112) is provided in the convex shaped housing (100) and the second closable orifice (208) is provided in the hollow cylindrical housing (200), wherein liquid is enabled to be filled via the first closable orifice (112) into the convex shaped housing (100) and the liquid is enabled to be filled into the hollow cylindrical housing (200) via the second closable orifice (208).

[34] In one embodiment, the apparatus may be provided with a single closable orifice either in the convex shape housing (100) or in the hollow cylindrical housing (200) configured to enable filling of the liquid into the convex shaped housing (100) and the hollow cylindrical housing (200).

[35] In one embodiment, liquid may be, including but not limited to, a semi liquid.

[36] The handle (600) is provided for support, wherein the handle is operatively coupled to the concave shaped housing (300).

[37] The convex shaped housing (100), the hollow cylindrical housing (200) and the concave shaped housing (300) are fabricated of, including but not limited to, silicone and chromatic material, wherein in one embodiment, the silicone may be of medical graded silicone.

[38] The convex shaped housing (100) is separated from the hollow cylindrical housing (200) by a first separator (400) and the hollow cylindrical housing (200) is separated from the concave shaped housing (300) by a second separator (500), wherein the convex shaped housing (100) is operatively coupled to either the hollow cylindrical housing (200) or the concave shaped housing (300). In one embodiment, the convex shaped housing (100) is operatively coupled the hollow cylindrical housing (200), and the hollow cylindrical housing is operatively coupled to the concave shaped housing (300).

[39] The convex shaped housing (100) and the hollow cylindrical housing (200) includes a first set of openings (FIG. 2, 104) and a second set of openings (FIG.3, 202), respectively. The first set of openings (104) is configured to discharge the liquid, by an actuator (FIG.l, 110), into the vaginal passage upon the convex shaped housing (100) encountering the one or more adhesions, wherein the actuator is included in the convex shaped housing (100). The second set of openings (202) is configured to discharge the liquid upon the hollow cylindrical housing (200) experiencing contraction of the plurality of internal vaginal muscles.

[40] The liquid includes a plurality of pH-level indicators, an anti-fungal composition, a lubricant and an anaesthetic. The liquid when discharged out of the first set of openings (104) and the second set of openings (202) provides localized anaesthetic effect and eases the entry of the apparatus (10) into the vaginal passage without causing any frictions, thereby breaking the one or more adhesions.

[41] The pH-level indicators are, including but not limited to, a micro colouring agent has color changing characteristic when exposed to the vaginal secretions which have specific pH-level. The micro coloring agents are also sensitive for acidic levels in blood, which gets secreted from vaginal passage while breakage of the one or more adhesions. When the micro coloring agents comes in a contact with these secretions, the micro coloring agents change their color, thereby coating the outer surface of the apparatus, which in turn displays the exact vaginal passage dilated area to the user.

[42] The interface unit (1000) is configured to enable the actuator (110) to discharge liquid, wherein the interface unit (1000) is operatively coupled to the concave shaped housing (300), the hollow cylindrical housing (200) and the concave shaped housing (300). In one embodiment, the interface unit (1000) may be coupled wirelessly or in a wired manner to the convex shaped housing (100), the hollow cylindrical housing (200) and the concave shaped housing (300). In one embodiment, the interface unit (1000) may be coupled wirelessly or in a wired manner to the convex shaped housing (100), the hollow cylindrical housing (200) and the concave shaped housing (300).

[43] The interface unit (1000) includes, but not limited to a display unit (not shown in figures), a power supply unit (not shown in figures) and a processor (not shown in figures). The interface unit (1000) is, including but not limited to, a portable personal computer, such as a smart phone; a television and a laptop.

[44] In one embodiment, the interface unit (1000) is operatively coupled to the handle.

[45] FIG. 2is a pictorial depiction of the convex shaped housing (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[46] The convex shaped housing (100) is configured to help break the one or more adhesions formed in the vaginal passage.

[47] The convex shaped housing (100) includes first side (102), a first set of sensors (106) and an actuator (110).

[48] The first side (102) includes a first set of opening on a first surface (112) of the first side (102). In one embodiment, the first side (102) represents a top surface (first surface (112)) of the convex shaped housing (100). In another embodiment, the first side (102) may represent a curved part of the convex shaped housing (100). In one embodiment, the first set of openings (104) may be, including but not limited to, pores and microspores configured to discharge the liquid into the vaginal passage, wherein the liquid is stored into the convex shaped housing (100) from the closable orifice.

[49] The first set of sensors (106) are configured to sense an amount of force applied to one or more adhesions formed in a vaginal passage applied by a user. In one embodiment, the first set of sensors (106) may be placed on an inside perimeter of the convex shaped housing (100). In another embodiment, the first set of sensors (106) may be placed in the curved part of the convex shaped housing (100).The first set of sensors (106) are, including but not limited to, pressure sensors. The amount of force applied on the one or more adhesions is applied by a user, wherein the user may be, including but not limited to, a medical practitioner and a patient. The amount of force applied by the user is in a first linear direction. In one embodiment, the first linear direction may be representative of the apparatus being inserted into the vaginal passage of the patient by the medical practitioner or the patient.

[50] As the convex shaped housing (100) is obstructed by the one or more adhesions, the pressure applied on the one or more adhesions is sensed by the first set of sensors (106), wherein a first sensed data is sent to the processor. The processor is configured to receive the first sensed data from the first set of sensors (106) and records the first sensed data in a database (not shown in figures). Upon analysing received first sensed data, the processor sends a signal to the actuator (110), thereby enabling the actuator (110) to discharge the amount of the liquid, in the vaginal passage, corresponding to the first sensed data.

[51] The actuator (110) is configured to enable discharge of liquid, via the first set of openings (104), corresponding to the first sensed force applied one the one or more adhesions, wherein the liquid is stored in the convex shaped housing (100). In one embodiment, the actuator (110) may be a plunger rod operatively coupled to a plunger tip, wherein the plunger rod is operatively coupled to a motor, thereby enabling the motor to control the plunger rod.

[52] In one embodiment, the motor along with the plunger rod may be configured in the handle.

[53] The processor sends the signal to the motor, wherein the motor actuates the plunger rod to move forward and enable the discharge of the liquid, via the plunger tip, corresponding to the first sensed data. A corresponding amount of liquid is discharged by the plunger rod, via the first set of openings (104), into the vaginal passage. As the one or more adhesions are broken, a plurality of secretions, including but not limited to, vaginal secretions and blood secretions are released into the vaginal passage. As the liquid includes a plurality of pH-level indicators, the plurality of secretions is noted based on the pH-level of corresponding secretions.

[54] Due to chromatic material of the convex shaped housing (100), the colour of the convex shaped housing (100) changes when the convex shaped housing (100) comes in contact with corresponding plurality of secretions. The first sensed data and the amount of corresponding liquid discharged is stored in the database. The database also stores, including but not limited to, amount of vaginal secretion, amount of blood secretion, pH-level of the vaginal secretion, pH-level of the blood secretion and change in colour of the convex shaped housing (100).

[55] In one embodiment, the convex shaped housing (100) may include a first container, wherein the container is configured to store the liquid.

[56] The convex shaped housing (100) is also provided with a measuring scale (108) for analysing a vaginal length, wherein the measuring scale (108)may be calibrated in a standard centimetre scale.

[57] Further, the convex shaped housing (100) is operatively coupled to the hollow cylindrical housing (200) via an interlocking mechanism which includes a plunger lock and a handle lock. In the event the handle is locked, the plunger is configured to move to and fro within the convex shaped housing (100), as the handle lock may be provided with a cavity in which the plunger rod is configured to move to and fro.

[58] FIG. 3 is a pictorial depiction of the hollow cylindrical housing (200) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[59] The hollow cylindrical housing (200) is configured for exercise of vaginal muscles present in the vaginal passage.

[60] The hollow cylindrical housing (200) is operatively coupled to the convex shaped housing (100). The hollow cylindrical housing (200) includes a second set of openings (202) and a second set of sensors (204).

[61] The second set of openings (202) are provided on a second surface (206) of the hollow cylindrical housing (200), wherein the second surface (206) represent a top surface of the hollow cylindrical housing (200). The second set of openings (202) are, including but not limited to, pores and micro pores configured to discharge the liquid into the vaginal passage, wherein the liquid is stored in the hollow cylindrical housing (200) via the second closable orifice (208).

[62] In one embodiment, the hollow cylindrical housing (200) may include a second container, wherein the second container is configured to store the liquid.

[63] Once the hollow cylindrical housing (200) is positioned in the vaginal passage, the patient contracts the plurality of vaginal muscles. Upon contraction of the plurality of vaginal muscles, the second set of sensors (204) are configured to sense an amount of force applied on the hollow cylindrical housing (200) upon contraction of a plurality of vaginal muscles applied by the patient. The second set of sensors (204) sends a second sensed data to the processor. The processor is configured to receive the second sensed data from the second set of sensors (204) and records the second sensed data in a database (not shown in figures). Upon analysing received second sensed data, the processor sends a signal to the actuator (110), thereby enabling the actuator (110) to discharge the amount of the liquid, in the vaginal passage, corresponding to the second sensed data and simultaneously, the liquid present in the hollow cylindrical housing (200) is discharged, via the second set of openings (202), corresponding to the amount of pressure applied by the contraction of the plurality of vaginal muscles. The database also stores the amount representing the corresponding amount of liquid discharged. [64] The second set of sensors (204) is, including but not limited to, pressure sensors. The second set of sensors (204) is spread on the perimeter within the hollow cylindrical housing (200). The amount of force is applied by the patient, wherein the direction of force applied on the hollow cylindrical housing (200) in a second linear 1 direction. In one embodiment, the second linear direction may be representative of the direction of force applied by the contraction of the plurality of vaginal muscles to the hollow cylindrical housing (200).

[65] The hollow cylindrical housing (200) is provided with the measuring scale (108) for analysing the vaginal length and width, wherein the measuring scale (108) may be calibrated in a standard centimetre scale.

[66] The length of the vaginal passage is noted by the measuring scale (108) present on both the convex shaped housing (100) and the hollow cylindrical housing (200), wherein the length of the vaginal passage is determined by the change in colour of the convex shaped housing (100) and the hollow cylindrical housing (200). Further, the length of the vaginal passage is stored in the database.

[67] FIG. 4 is a pictorial depiction of an embodiment (300) of an apparatus for vaginal exercise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[68] The concave shaped housing (300) is operatively coupled to the hollow cylindrical housing (200). The concave shaped housing (300) includes a plurality of vibrators (302) configured to stimulate a plurality of external muscles of a vagina wall and a plurality of pelvic muscles, especially the muscles which have become loose, thereby strengthening the plurality of external muscles of the vagina wall.

[69] The concave shaped housing (300) is also coupled to an internal handle, wherein the internal handle may be of, including but not limited to, a convex shaped or a phallus shaped. In one embodiment, the internal handle is configured to be received into the vaginal passage of the patient. In another embodiment, the internal handle may be configured to be coupled to the convex shaped housing (100), wherein the convex shaped housing may act as a support in holding up the concave shaped housing (300).

[70] In one embodiment, the hollow cylindrical housing (200) may be of, including but not limited to, a phallus shaped or a convex shaped. In one such embodiment, the concave shaped housing (300) may be operatively coupled to the hollow cylindrical housing (200). [71] Further, the processor also includes one or more levels of vibrating speeds to control the speed of the plurality of vibrators (302), wherein the one or more levels of vibrating speeds may be controlled by the patient or the medical practitioner.

[72] The display unit is configured to display, including but not limited to, the amount of force applied by the convex shaped housing (100), the amount of force applied to the hollow cylindrical housing (200) and the amount of liquid discharged by the at least one of the convex housing and the hollow cylindrical housing (200). The display unit also displays, including but not limited, to one or more apparatus configuration settings, such as, including but not limited to, saving options for patient treatment data, new treatment options, alerts and connection settings.

[73] Further, the interface unit may include a tracking unit configured to notify/tracka plurality of details to the patient and/or the medical practitioner. The plurality of details is, including but not limited to, progress of the patient based on the amount of the liquid discharged and reduction in one or more adhesions. The database also includes tracked data.

[74] The present disclosure provides various advantages, including but not limited to, help a patient get rid of adhesions without causing injuries, to help stiffen and strengthen the internal and external muscles of the patient’s vagina.

[75] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[76] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.