INTRAVAGINAL MONITORING DEVICE

• US 20110190579A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illuminare Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Illuminare Holdings Limited
• Inventors: ZIARNO, Witold Andrew, Bennett, James D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,679,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/425 for reproduction or fertilisation specially adapted for use with animals A61D19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/035 Intra-uterine probes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/344 Foetal cardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4318 Evaluation of the lower reproductive system A61B5/4343 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4343 Pregnancy and labour monitoring, e.g. for labour onset detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/023 : for introduction into the body, e.g. into the oesophagus oesophageal ECG probes A61B5/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 : in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 : related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 : Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 : Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0611 : Vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 : for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 : ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

The invention relates to an intravaginal monitoring device, method of intravaginal monitoring, and system and network for intravaginal monitoring. The intravaginal monitoring device and or network includes multiple modes of operation that enable non-pregnancy monitoring, pregnancy testing, pregnancy monitoring, STD detection, precancerous condition monitoring, cancerous condition monitoring, pre-birth monitoring and prediction, neo-natal monitoring, ovulation monitoring, an automated rhythm method, among various applications of the device, method and network of the present invention.

Claims

1. An imaging device sized to be at least partially inserted within a vaginal channel to reach a cervical region within the vaginal channel, the imaging device comprising:

a housing having a first portion and a second portion;

an imager disposed on the first portion of the housing;

the first portion of the housing being sized to support imaging within the cervical region within the vaginal channel;

the second portion of the housing being sized to at least partially conform to the vaginal channel; and

in which the first portion has a maximum diameter greater than that of the second portion.

2. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein at least part of the first portion of the housing is deformable, whereby insertion of the device is facilitated.

3. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the housing is sized and dimensioned to be fully insertable into the vaginal channel.

4. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the housing is designed to be worn within the vaginal channel.

5. A cap used with a monitoring device, the monitoring device having a first mechanical interface portion, the monitoring device being sized for at least partial insertion into a vaginal channel of a female reproduction system, the monitoring device having an optical imager assembly, the cap comprising:

a first cap region having a second mechanical interface portion sized such that the second mechanical interface portion matingly engages the first mechanical interface portion of the monitoring device; and

a second cap region that is shaped to assist the optical image assembly of the monitoring device.

6. The cap of claim 5, wherein the assistance comprising attempting to maintain a minimum field of view.

7. The cap of claim 5, wherein the assistance comprising attempting to limit fluid from reaching the optical imager assembly.

8. The cap of claim 5, wherein the second cap region is at least partially deformable.

9. The cap of claim 5, wherein the second cap region comprises a bulbous shape.

10. The cap of claim 5, wherein the second cap region comprises an asymmetric shape.

11. The cap of claim 5, wherein the cap is selected from one of a plurality of caps, and each of the plurality of caps having a different form factor from others of the plurality of caps.

12. The cap of claim 5, wherein the cap is capable of progressive expansion.

13. A kit used at least in part to service any of a plurality of female reproductive systems, each of the plurality of female reproductive systems having a dimensional characteristic differing from that of the others of the plurality of female reproductive systems, the kit comprising:

a plurality of caps;

each of the plurality of caps having a form factor;

the form factor of a first of the plurality of caps corresponding to the dimensional characteristic of a first of the plurality of female reproductive systems; and

the form factor of a second of the plurality of caps corresponding to the dimensional characteristic of a second of the plurality of female reproductive systems.

14. The kit of claim 13, further comprising a monitoring device that mechanically couples with the caps.

15. The kit of claim 13, further comprising a plurality sleeves.

16. The kit of claim 13, further comprising an intravaginal imaging device.

17. The kit of claim 16, further comprising a carrying case.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the carrying case contains a cavity with a polymer lining.

19. The kit of claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of caps provides a unimpeded optical pathway there through.

20. The kit of claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of caps having a substantially transparent portion to provide an optical pathway there through.