Method and apparatus for the recording and analysis of uterine electrical activity from the abdominal surface
First Claim
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1. A method of characterizing uterine electrical activity, comprising:
- applying action potential measuring electrodes to an abdominal or vaginal surface of a patient;
storing electromyographic signals, including action potentials, produced by said electrodes;
analyzing uterine activity indicating parameters from action potentials within said stored electromyographic signals; and
characterizing uterine activity of said patient based on said parameter analysis.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for recording and analyzing uterine electrical and mechanical activity from the abdominal surface. Electrodes are applied to the abdominal surface of a patient, and electromyographic signals produced by the electrodes are digitized, stored and analyzed to assess uterine electrical activity. Assessment of the function of other smooth muscle organs, for example the bladder and lower gastrointestinal tract is also contemplated.
91 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of characterizing uterine electrical activity, comprising:
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applying action potential measuring electrodes to an abdominal or vaginal surface of a patient; storing electromyographic signals, including action potentials, produced by said electrodes; analyzing uterine activity indicating parameters from action potentials within said stored electromyographic signals; and characterizing uterine activity of said patient based on said parameter analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for recording and analyzing uterine electrical activity from the abdominal or vaginal surface, comprising:
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at least one action potential measuring electrode applicable to an abdominal or vaginal surface of a patient under analysis; an analog-to-digital converter, connected to said at least one electrode, for converting electromyographic signals, including action potentials, produced by said electrode into digitized data indicative of said electromyographic signals and action potentials; a memory for storing said digitized data; and a programmed computer for analyzing uterine activity indicating parameters from action potentials represented by said stored digitized data, and for providing an indication of uterine electrical activity of said patient under analysis as a function of said uterine activity indicating parameters.
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Specification