Cervix monitoring system and related devices and methods
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening during labor, comprising:
- a probe configured to image the cervix opening and provide image data, and a monitoring unit having a processor and an image display, the processor configured to receive and process the image data to identify the cervix opening and provide data signals representing the cervix opening to the image display for displaying information based on said data signals.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a minimally invasive system and method for monitoring changes in a cervix opening during labor, including changes in its diameter. The system having a probe and a monitoring unit serve to monitor periodically the cervix opening during labor and obtain measurements of the diameter of the cervix opening. The probe primarily includes a camera for imaging the cervix opening, a lens to provide an optimal field of view for the camera at close range to the cervix opening, a light source to illuminate the cervix and a balloon to expand the vagina around the probe and position the probe to allow unobstructed imaging of the cervix. The monitoring unit which controls the probe to acquire images of the cervix and receives and processes image data from the probe includes a processor which uses image segmentation techniques to identify and measure the opening of the cervix and generates data signals. The monitoring unit also includes an image display which displays information based on the data signals for viewing by health care providers and/or the patient, including graphic images of the cervix opening and other text information relating to the cervix opening as an indicator of the progress of labor. In one embodiment, the processor implements segmentation techniques and/or blob analysis algorithms to analyze the images of the cervix to identify the opening and measure its diameter. Other algorithms may also be implemented to correct for any spatial distortion, particularly barrel distortion.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening during labor, comprising:
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a probe configured to image the cervix opening and provide image data, and a monitoring unit having a processor and an image display, the processor configured to receive and process the image data to identify the cervix opening and provide data signals representing the cervix opening to the image display for displaying information based on said data signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A probe positionable in a vagina for monitoring a cervix during labor, comprising:
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a housing adapted for insertion and withdraw from the vagina;
a camera situated in the housing, the camera adapted to capture images of the cervix;
a light source adapted to illuminate the cervix; and
a balloon on the housing, the balloon adapted to inflate around at least a portion of the housing for positioning the probe in the vagina. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for monitoring dilation of an opening of a cervix, comprising:
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a probe configured to image the cervix opening and provide image data, and a processor configured to receive and process the image data to identify the opening of the cervix and provide data on a dimension of the opening. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening using a probe, a processor and an image display, comprising:
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the probe capturing an image of the cervix opening and providing image data;
the processor receiving and processing the image data to identify the cervix opening, determining a diameter and providing data signals representing the cervix opening to the image display; and
the image display displaying information based on said data signals. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A probe positionable in a vagina for imaging an opening of a cervix during labor, comprising:
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a housing configured for insertion into and removal from the vagina;
a camera situated in the housing, the camera adapted to capture images of the opening of the cervix;
a spacer for positioning the probe within the vagina a predetermined distance from the cervix. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. A probe for imaging a cervix, comprising:
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an imaging member adapted to capture an image of the cervix; and
a cap covering at least a portion of the imaging member, the cap being releasably coupled to the imaging portion for disposal after use with the imaging member. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A system for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a probe adapted for imaging the cervix opening and generating image data, and a processor receiving and processing the image data, wherein the probe has a hydrophobic imaging window.
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43. A system for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a probe adapted for imaging the cervix opening, and generating image data; and
a processor receiving and processing the image data;
wherein the probe has a hydrophobic imaging aperture.
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44. A system for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a probe adapted for imaging the cervix opening and generating image data; and
a processor receiving and processing the image data;
wherein the probe has a hydrophobic probe housing.
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45. A system for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a probe adapted for imaging the cervix opening and generating image data; and
a processor receiving and processing the image data;
wherein said probe includes pneumatic means for cleaning its imaging window. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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47. A probe positionable in a vagina for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a housing adapted for insertion and removal from the vagina;
a camera adapted for imaging the cervix opening; and
a balloon configured to inflate for widening the vagina to provide the camera with a view of the cervix opening. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A probe positionable in a vagina for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a housing adapted for insertion and removal from the vagina;
a camera adapted for imaging the cervix opening; and
a plurality of balloons disposed around said housing;
wherein inflation of said balloons widens the vagina to provide the camera with a view of the cervix opening. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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54. A probe positionable in a vagina for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a housing adapted for insertion and removal from the vagina;
a camera adapted for imaging the cervix opening; and
a plurality of balloons disposed around said housing;
wherein inflation of said balloons creates channels to allow fluid drainage along a longitudinal axis of said probe.
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55. A probe positionable in a vagina for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a housing adapted for insertion and removal from the vagina;
a camera adapted for imaging the cervix opening; and
a multi-compartmental balloon disposed around said housing;
wherein inflation of said balloon creates channels to allow fluid drainage along a longitudinal axis of said probe.
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56. A probe for imaging a cervix, comprising:
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a distal imaging member; and
a proximal supporting member;
wherein said distal imaging member and said proximal supporting member are releasably coupled to each other for insertion of the distal imaging member into a vagina by the proximal supporting member and release of the distal imaging member at a suitable position within the vagina. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59)
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60. A probe for imaging a cervix comprised of:
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a distal imaging member;
a proximal elongated member which is generally flexible and configured to receive a generally rigid elongated supporting member for greater rigidity when said probe is inserted into a vagina.
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61. A unit for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a probe adapted for placement in a vagina for imaging a cervix and generating image data, and a processor configured to receive and process the image data;
wherein the probe includes an oximetry sensor to measure the oxygenation of a fetus through the cervix opening.
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62. A unit for monitoring dilation of a cervix opening, comprising:
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a probe configured for placement in a vagina for imaging a cervix and generating image data; and
a processor configured to receive and process the image data;
wherein the said probe includes an oximetry sensor that contacts a presenting part of a fetus through the cervix opening to measure oxygenation of said fetus.
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63. A unit for imaging a cervix from inside a vagina during labor, comprising:
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a probe including;
a first light source that diffusely illuminates the cervix for imaging;
a second light source that illuminates a spot on the cervix for ranging;
a distal imaging member adapted to capture images of the cervix and generate cervix image data representing the cervix and to capture at least one image of the spot and generate spot image data;
a processor configured to receive and process said cervix image data and said spot image data, wherein the spot image data is processed to indicate a distance between said probe and said cervix.
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Specification