Device for monitoring periods of ovulation

• US 4,676,254 A
• Filed: 03/06/1986
• Issued: 06/30/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hermann J. Frohn
• Original Assignee: Hermann J. Frohn
• Inventors: Frohn, Hermann J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Application Number:
  US06/837,008
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 128/736, 128/738, 128/903, 128/775, 128/778, 33/511-512
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0012 Ovulation-period determination for animals A61D17/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0019 based on measurement of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals

Abstract

The present invention teaches a device for monitoring periods of ovulation, which comprises a housing containing a thermometer that is introducible into the uterus. Temperature values are inputted into a memory at predetermined time intervals. Thus, for long periods of time, body temperature may be measured accurately and in constant intervals. In response to an external command signal, a transmitter and a receiver causes the stored temperature values to be retrieved. In this way, a complete chart of body temperature may be obtained in order to accurately determine a woman'"'"'s ovulatory period, thereby allowing her to intentionally avoid or permit conception.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring periods of ovulation by measuring uterine temperature, comprising:

a housing, compatible with and configured to be easily insertable into a uterus through the vagina and the cervical canal;

a temperature measuring means contained in said housing;

a memory means contained in said housing for storing measured values of uterine temperature at predetermined time intervals;

a transmitting and receiving means contained in said housing for transmitting, in response to a receipt of an external signal, said temperature values from said memory means; and

an extractable holding member having means for anchoring said housing to an oviduct of said uterus.

2. A device according to claim 1 characterized in that said housing further comprises a pull thread for withdrawing said device from said uterus.

3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising biasing means, attached to said holding member, for retractably pulling said holding member into said housing, and

a releasable locking means for maintaining said holding member in an extracted position.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said releaseable locking means is controllable by an external command signal.

5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said holding member is retractable with said housing for easily withdrawing said housing from said uterus.

6. A device, implantable into and compatible with a hollow organ body having an internal surface, for the long term monitoring of the temperature of said body, comprising:

a generally rounded housing containing no edges, implantable within said body;

a temperature measuring means contained in said housing;

a memory means contained in said housing for storing measured values of temperature of said body at predetermined time intervals;

a transmitting and receiving means contained in said housing for transmitting, in response to a receipt of an external signal, said temperature values from said memory means; and

an extractable holding member having means for anchoring said housing to the internal surface of said body.

7. A mounting for a device to be situated in a uterus, comprising:

a housing insertable into a uterus

an extractable holding member having means for anchoring said device to an oviduct of said uterus;

said holding member being retractable within said housing.

a spring attached to said holding member for retractably pulling said holding member into said housing; and

a releasable locking means capable of engaging said holding member for maintaining said holding member in an extracted position.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that said holding member is a flexible telescopic rod.

9. A device according to claim 7 wherein said releasable locking means is controllable by an external command signal.

10. A device according to claim 7 further comprising a pull thread attached to said device for withdrawing said device from said uterus.

11. A device according to claim 7 wherein said extractable holding member has no attachments other than said housing that would impede the insertion of said holding member substantially into said oviduct.

12. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for anchoring said device further comprises a curve in said holding member at a point of contact with said oviduct.

13. A device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

biasing means attached to said holding member for retractably pulling said holding member into said housing.