PRETERM LABOR MONITOR
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and apparatus for monitoring uterine and/or cervical activity indicative of labor in a patient. The system includes a medical device and a data processor in communication with the medical device. The medical device includes a structural component, a first electrode attached to the structural component, and a second electrode attached to the structural component. The structural component is structured to be in contact with a cervical surface and a vaginal surface of the patient, such that said first electrode is in electrical contact with said cervical surface and said second electrode is in electrical contact with said vaginal surface. The first electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the cervical surface and the second electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the uterus through the vaginal surface. The data processor is adapted to process the electrical activity of the electrodes to detect contractions on a surface of the patient indicative of labor.
23 Citations
45 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A system for monitoring activity indicative of uterine activity in a patient, said system comprising:
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an electrode; and a data processor in communication with the electrode, wherein the electrode is adapted to be placed in contact with an internal or external surface of the patient such that the electrode is in electrical contact with said surface and is adapted to receive an electrical activity of said surface, and wherein the data processor is configured to process the electrical activity from the electrode to detect electrical activity in the range of approximately 0.001 to 0.5 Hertz on said surface of the patient, said electrical activity providing information that is indicative of uterine activity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for monitoring activity indicative of uterine activity in a patient, said system comprising:
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a medical device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; and a data processor in communication with the medical device, wherein the first electrode is adapted to be arranged in electrical contact with an interior surface of the patient, wherein said second electrode is adapted to be arranged in electrical contact with one of an interior or exterior surface of the patient, wherein the first electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the interior surface of the patient, wherein the second electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the interior or exterior surface of the patient, and wherein the data processor is configured to process the electrical activity from the first and second electrodes to detect electrical activity on at least one surface of the patient, said electrical activity providing information that is indicative of uterine activity. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A medical device for monitoring uterine and/or cervical activity indicative of uterine activity in a patient, comprising:
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a structural component; a first electrode attached to the structural component; and a second electrode attached to the structural component, wherein the structural component is structured to be arranged in contact with a cervical surface and a vaginal surface of the patient such that said first electrode is in electrical contact with said cervical surface and said second electrode is in electrical contact with said vaginal surface, wherein the first electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of said cervical surface, and wherein the second electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the uterus through said vaginal surface. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A medical device for monitoring activity indicative of uterine activity in a patient, comprising:
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a structural component adapted to be in close proximity to a cervical surface of the patient; a stretch sensor attached to the structural component and arranged to detect a change in resistance in response to contractions and dilations of the cervical surface of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
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44. A medical device for monitoring activity indicative of uterine activity in a patient, comprising:
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a structural component adapted to be in close proximity to a cervical surface of the patient; and a light sensor attached to the structural component that is adapted to measure changes in reflectance of light from the cervical surface of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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Specification