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PORTABLE PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE DYNAMOMETER
Background
Contractile properties of female pelvic floor musculature, essential to continence and pelvic organ
support, are currently determined by evaluating pelvic floor muscle (“PFM”) strength manually
(pelvic examination) or indirectly (pressure and/or EMG measurements). Neither is optimal in
terms of validity and repeatability as both can be skewed by increased abdominal pressure or cocontractions of other pelvic muscles issues addressed by the PFM Dynamometer.
Technology
Ideal for clinicians and researchers, the small, easy-to-use (even by patients), portable and
inexpensive dynamometer resembles a small speculum and measures the contractile properties of
the pelvic floor musculature in supine, sitting and standing positions: immediate and continuous
measurement of tone (passive force), strength (active force), endurance and coordination. It
discriminates between continent and incontinent women and provides accurate, comparative
measurements pre- and post-physiotherapy.
Application
The PFM Dynamometer targets health professionals involved in the evaluation/detection,
prevention and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction; gynaecologists, urologist, general
practitioners and physiotherapists. A useful biofeedback tool for any pelvic floor dysfunction, it
enables better targeting and treatment of specific pelvic floor contractile dysfunctions.
Rehabilitation and urodynamic equipment manufacturers may also be interested in this probe.
Competitive Advantages
Provides direct, continuous, objective, valid and reliable measurements of different
aspects of pelvic floor musculature function - tone (passive force), strength (active
force), endurance and coordination - including information on the rapidity and basal
tone of muscle contractions.
Measures pelvic floor muscle function in different positions - sitting, standing and
supine - and is hands-free (i.e., no need to hold it in place).
Simple and easy to use, even by patients. Short and minimally invasive (smaller than a
paediatric speculum), women, old or young, can even insert it themselves without pain.
Small and portable with no fixed base; easy to carry for physicians, clinicians and
patients.
Patent
International patent application PCT/CA2014/050402 - “PROBE FOR MEASUREMENT OF SOFT
TISSUE FORCES SUCH AS PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE”
Next Steps
Using the dynamometer, the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Aging Laboratory research team led by
Dr Dumoulin are presently developing a clinical prediction tool that will enable women to be
directed to the most effective treatment for their condition, following a pelvic floor muscle
dynamometric evaluation.
Contact
Morgan Guitton, Jr. Eng.
Project Manager,
Business Development,
Sciences and Engineering
+1 (514) 340-3243 ext. 4231
[email protected]
Chantale Dumoulin, Ph.D.
Professor
Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal,
Canadian Research Chair in Urogyneacological Health and Aging
+1 (514) 340-3540 ext. 4153
[email protected]