Ovulation prediction device

• US 9,568,463 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2014
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hilin Life Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hilin Life Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Denise, Helen
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Trang U
• Application Number:
  US14/204,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20140313322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 348/135, 348/77, 348/79, 348/80
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2010/0025 based on analysis of crystalisation structure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/487 of liquid biological material

Abstract

This disclosure provides a stand alone electronic device to predict a likely time of ovulation based on crystal formation in a mucous body fluid sample. Optionally body temperature data may also be measured and saved on the device memory. The device allows user to save the data, download images, and compare results from different times. The disclosure further provides a device that includes software using an algorithm to calculate frequency of crystals on the sample and allowing comparison of the frequencies. The algorithm may use the temperature data also. The device includes an option to transfer data onto a smart phone or similar device. The device is suitable for predicting ovulation of any mammal, including human beings, dogs and livestock including horses.

Claims

1. An electronic device to predict ovulation of a mammal from presence of crystal formation in a mucous body fluid sample, said device comprising:

a housing having a display, user controls, a data transfer port, and a receptacle for a sample;

an optics unit, a microprocessor unit, a light source, a heating/drying unit, an autofocus feature and a CCD array inside the housing;

wherein the user controls control the microprocessor, the microprocessor controls the light source, the autofocus feature, the heating/drying unit, and the display, and wherein upon inserting a sample into the receptacle the CCD array captures an image focused with the autofocus feature, and

wherein the image is converted to a digital format, saved on the memory and capable of being downloaded for viewing via the optics unit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sample is a fresh or a pre-dried saliva sample.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sample is inserted into the receptacle on a transparent slide, said slide having a groove for the sample.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating/drying unit has a thermo sensitive element that upon inserting the sample slide into the receptacle becomes in contact with the slide and turns on, and turns off upon the sample being dried, or after a predetermined time.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the user controls comprise on/off-button;

search-button;

date control; and

take a picture-button.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device can be coupled with a smart phone or a tablet, and the digital images may be saved in the smart phone or the tablet.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes software capable of using an algorithm to calculate a predicted ovulation time based on information retrieved from previously saved data.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes software capable of using an algorithm to calculate a predicted ovulation time based on comparative analysis between present test and template data.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the device additionally saves body temperature data and the software is capable of using an algorithm to calculate a predicted ovulation time based on combined information retrieved from previously saved image and temperature data.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes software capable of using an algorithm to provide a sampling schedule for the user to provide samples.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is battery operated.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the memory has a capacity to save at least 365 images.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the user can select one or more images and display them simultaneously to make comparisons.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the images is a template image.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the mammal is a human being, a horse or a dog.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the data transfer port receives a removable storage device or data transfer linkage.

22. A method to predict ovulation of a mammal from presence of crystal formation on a body fluid sample, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a saliva sample upon waking in the morning before drinking, eating or smoking in a groove of a transparent slide;

b) inserting the transparent slide into the receptacle of the device of claim 1;

c) taking an image of the sample with device of claim 1;

d) saving the image on the memory of the device of claim 1;

e) measuring body temperature and saving temperature date on the memory of the device of claim 1;

f) repeating steps a) to e) every morning upon waking at least for 30 days; and

g) comparing frequency of crystals on the picture to a frequency of crystals on previously taken photographs, and comparing the body temperature to previously measured temperature;

where the ovulation is predicted when the frequency of the crystals and the temperature reading are higher than previously.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the saved images and temperature data are shared electronically with a doctor and the doctor conducts the step f).

24. The method of claim 22, wherein in step g) the microprocessor uses a software and at least one algorithm to compare frequency of the crystals of step g) to frequency in previously taken images, and temperature of step g) to previously saved temperature data, and wherein the microprocessor provides a prediction of the ovulation time.

17. A method to predict ovulation time of a mammal from presence of crystal formation on a mucous body fluid sample, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a mucous body fluid sample on a glass plate and inserting the sample on the glass into a device, wherein the device comprises;

a housing having a display, user controls and a receptacle with a heating/drying unit for a sample; and

an optics unit, a microprocessor unit, a light source, an autofocus feature, and a CCD array inside the housing;

wherein the user controls control the microprocessor, the microprocessor controls the light source, the heating/drying unit and display;

b) allowing the heating unit dry the sample and CCD array capture an image and convert it to a digital format;

c) saving the picture on the memory; and

d) comparing frequency of crystals formation on the sample to frequency of crystals formation on previously taken figures, wherein changed formation and increased number of crystals is indicative of ovulation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mucous body fluid sample is a saliva sample.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the device is coupled to a smart phone or a tabloid and the images are saved on the smart phone or the tabloid.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the saved images are shared electronically with doctor and step d) is conducted by the doctor.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein in step e) the microprocessor uses a software and at least one algorithm to compare frequency of the picture of step d) to previously taken pictures, and wherein the microprocessor provides a prediction of the ovulation time.