Uterine contraction detection and initiation system and method
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting for uterine contractions of a uterus of an animal having a body to initiate uterine contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the method including the steps of:
- placing first and second electrodes in contact with the body, the first electrode being placed in direct contact with the uterus;
sensing electrical activity between the first and second electrodes;
detecting for uterine contractions from the sensed electrical activity; and
providing electrical current flow between the first and second electrodes when uterine contractions are undetected.
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Abstract
A system and method for detecting for and initiating contractions of a uterus of a human patient employs a sensor for sensing electrical activity of the uterus of the patient. Data from the sensed electrical activity is stored in memory. A processor accesses the stored data for analysis. Electrical energy is applied to the uterus to initiate a uterine contraction when the analyzed data fails to satisfy predetermined detection criteria.
58 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of detecting for uterine contractions of a uterus of an animal having a body to initiate uterine contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the method including the steps of:
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placing first and second electrodes in contact with the body, the first electrode being placed in direct contact with the uterus;
sensing electrical activity between the first and second electrodes;
detecting for uterine contractions from the sensed electrical activity; and
providing electrical current flow between the first and second electrodes when uterine contractions are undetected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for detecting for uterine contractions and stimulating a uterus of an animal having a body to initiate uterine contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the system comprising:
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a first electrode;
a first anchor for anchoring the first electrode to the uterus of the animal;
return current path establishing means for establishing a return current path within the body, the return current path including the first electrode;
a sense amplifier coupled to the first electrode for sensing electrical activity of the body;
a detector coupled to the sense amplifier for detecting for contractions of the uterus from the sensed electrical activity; and
a source of electrical energy coupled to the first electrode and responsive to the detector failing to detect uterine contractions for providing electrical energy to the body along the return current path for initiating contractions of the uterus. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for detecting for uterine contractions and stimulating a uterus of an animal having a body to initiate uterine contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the system comprising:
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first and second electrodes for establishing a return current path within the body;
an anchor for releasably anchoring at least one of the electrodes to the uterus of the animal;
a detector coupled to the first and second electrodes for detecting for uterine contractions; and
a source of electrical energy responsive to the detector failing to detect uterine contractions for applying electrical energy to the first and second electrodes for initiating contractions of the uterus.
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31. A system for detecting for uterine contractions and stimulating a uterus of an animal to initiate contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the system comprising:
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a sensor for sensing electrical activity of the uterus;
a processor for analyzing the electrical activity of the uterus and determining an absence of uterine contractions; and
an energy source for applying electrical energy to the uterus responsive to the processor when the electrical activity of the uterus fails to satisfy predetermined detection criteria from the absence of the uterine contractions.
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32. A system for detecting for uterine contractions stimulating a uterus of an animal to initiate contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the system comprising:
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a sensor for sensing electrical activity of the uterus;
means for storing data associated with the sensed electrical activity of the uterus;
a processor for analyzing the stored data and determining an absence of uterine contractions; and
an energy source for applying electrical energy to the uterus to initiate contractions of the uterus responsive to the processor when the analyzed data fails to satisfy predetermined detection criteria from the absence of the uterine contractions.
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33. A method of detecting for uterine contractions and stimulating a uterus of an animal to initiate uterine contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the method including the steps of:
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sensing electrical activity of the uterus;
analyzing the electrical activity of the uterus; and
applying electrical energy to the uterus to initiate contractions of the uterus when the analyzed electrical activity of the uterus fails to satisfy predetermined detection criteria.
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34. A method of detecting for uterine contractions and stimulating a uterus of an animal to initiate uterine contractions when uterine contractions are absent, the method including the steps of:
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sensing electrical activity of the uterus;
generating data associated with the sensed electrical activity;
storing the data associated with the sensed electrical activity;
analyzing the stored data; and
applying electrical energy to the uterus to initiate contractions of the uterus responsive to the analyzed data failing to satisfy predetermined detection criteria.
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Specification