The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 20, 1997
David Tomer, Haifa, IL;
Labor Control System (L.C.S.) Ltd., Nesher, IL;
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring uterine cervical dilation, effacement, and consistency during labor. A probe comprising a linear caliper and a flexible membrane is applied to the uterine cervix, and loaded by a constant closing force generated by a hydraulic piston mechanism. The flexible membrane assumes the contour of the opening of the uterine cervix, a fiber-optic sensor on the probe measures the curvature of the membrane, and a processor calculates cervical dilation from the degree of curvature of the membrane. The displacement of the caliper arms is recorded, and a processor calculates the degree of cervical effacement from the displacement data. The caliper closing force is transiently altered, and the resultant caliper arm displacement value is compared with a baseline displacement value so as to calculate a descriptor of cervical consistency. Cervical dilation, effacement and consistency data is displayed in real time, and compared with stored normal values.