Sexual health company Minna Life is accepting preorders on Kickstarter for its kGoal pelvic trainer device and app, which it claims is the world's first "smart" Kegel trainer.
The app improves compliance by providing realtime feedback and guidance, said pelvic floor specialist Elizabeth Miracle in a promotional video. "Thirty percent of women need direct feedback in order to perform a pelvic floor muscle contraction correctly," she said, adding that ensuring patient compliance is her biggest challenge.
The app shows women the number of repetitions, average squeeze and maximum squeeze strength, as well as their average squeeze time and weekly improvement, according to the video. Product designer Grace Lee says that the company is designing games and other interactions to add to the engagement level.
Indeed, games are becoming a popular method of employing apps and improving patient compliance. For example, Waltham, MA-based Affectiva is developing facial mood recognition games to treat autism.
To provide feedback, the app interacts with the squeezable pillow that is inserted into the vagina. It contains a motor for providing "realtime vibrational feedback" and a small vent that allows the user to adjust the air pressure and size to achieve the right fit.
According to the product's Kickstarter page, kGoal will be funded if it achieves at least $90,000 in support by August 4. So far the device has 200 backers and has raised almost $21,000. If the product succeeds it would add to the almost 80,000 medical apps on the market that are overwhelming FDA's regulatory capacity.
The agency has opted not to regulate most health apps and is focusing on those that could put patients at risk. In the past it has regulated pelvic muscle trainers as Class II devices requiring a 510(k). Minna Life's website does not mention the FDA. Inquiries about the regulatory status of the device and app were not returned by the agency or Minna Life before the publication deadline.
Minna Life says stronger pelvic floor muscles improve the quality of orgasm, recovery from pregnancy and incontinence.
- read the company blog