Vaginal probe and method of using same
First Claim
1. A probe for determining a body condition of a human or animal subject comprising,a generally cylindrical housing, the housing being elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a first end portion sized for insertion into the subject'"'"'s mouth, vagina or anus, and a second end portion,the first end portion including an end tip having a first thickness, and a contoured portion spaced rearwardly from said end tip towards the second end portion, the contoured portion defined at least in part by a generally concave surface, said concave surface curving in a generally longitudinally extending arc with said contoured portion having a minimum thickness selected less than the first thickness,at least one sensor disposed along said concave surface for sensing a body characteristic of said subject which is indicative of said body condition and generating data signals representative of said sensed body characteristic,said contoured portion further including a pair of spaced apart ribs extending longitudinally along at least part of said concave surface to define a channel therebetween, said at least one sensor being disposed within said channel,an integrated circuit for receiving said data signals from each of said sensors and for processing said data signals, andan output electronically linked to said integrated circuit for outputting information representing the status of said body characteristic.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A probe used to determine different possible body conditions of a human or animal subject includes an elongated insertable portion which is adapted for use orally, anally or vaginally, and along which are provided a number of biosensors and/or temperature sensors. The elongated portion is contoured so as to have a complementary shape to the physiology of the user'"'"'s mouth, anus or vagina to ensure good contact between the probe sensors and the subject'"'"'s body fluids or tissues. At least some of the sensors are positioned within a channel or trough which extends along the insertable portion of the probe and which is sized to collect body fluids from the subject therein. Preferably the channel is defined by a pair of spaced apart projecting ribs with fluid grooves formed in the elongated portion to assist in directing body fluids towards the channel and sensors. In use, once the probe is inserted, body fluids will tend to collect in the channel ensuring that the sensors therein are emersed in the fluid, eliminating air pockets and ensuring more accurate biosensor readings.
177 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A probe for determining a body condition of a human or animal subject comprising,
a generally cylindrical housing, the housing being elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a first end portion sized for insertion into the subject'"'"'s mouth, vagina or anus, and a second end portion, the first end portion including an end tip having a first thickness, and a contoured portion spaced rearwardly from said end tip towards the second end portion, the contoured portion defined at least in part by a generally concave surface, said concave surface curving in a generally longitudinally extending arc with said contoured portion having a minimum thickness selected less than the first thickness, at least one sensor disposed along said concave surface for sensing a body characteristic of said subject which is indicative of said body condition and generating data signals representative of said sensed body characteristic, said contoured portion further including a pair of spaced apart ribs extending longitudinally along at least part of said concave surface to define a channel therebetween, said at least one sensor being disposed within said channel, an integrated circuit for receiving said data signals from each of said sensors and for processing said data signals, and an output electronically linked to said integrated circuit for outputting information representing the status of said body characteristic.
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10. A vaginal probe for determining a body condition of a human subject comprising,
a housing elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion having an end tip and a contoured portion spaced rearwardly from said end tip towards the second end portion, the first end portion being sized to permit its insertion into the subject'"'"'s vagina with said end tip locating adjacent to the subject'"'"'s cervix, the contoured portion including a generally concave surface curving in a generally longitudinally extending arc, a plurality of axially spaced sensors disposed along said concave surface, at least one of said sensors for sensing a body characteristic which is indicative of said body condition and generating data signals representative of said sensed body characteristic, said contoured portion further including a pair of ribs, said ribs being spaced from each other and extending longitudinally along at least part of said concave surface to define a channel therebetween, said sensors being disposed at axially spaced locations along said channel, an integrated circuit for receiving data signals from said sensors and for processing said data signals received therefrom, and an output display electronically linked to said integrated circuit displaying information indicative of said body condition.
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16. A vaginal probe for determining a body condition of a human or animal subject comprising,
a housing having a first end portion elongated along a longitudinal axis and sized for insertion into the subject'"'"'s vagina, and a second end portion, the first end portion including a channel sized to permit the collection of vaginal fluids therein, and at least one sensor located within said channel for sensing a body characteristic of said subject which is indicative of a body condition and generating data signals representative of said sensed body characteristic, an integrated circuit electronically linked to said at least one sensor for processing generated data signals, and an output linked to said integrated circuit for outputting information indicative of said body characteristic.
Specification