Device for holding medical instrumentation sensors at and upon the cervix os of a human female, particularly for holding the ultrasonic transducers of an ultrasonic transit time, real-time, cervical effacement and dilatation monitor

An ultrasonic transit time cervimeter comprising:

• an ultrasonic transmitter in the substantial shape of a three-dimensional, non-planar, body characterized in that ultrasound is emitted from the transmitter along a multiplicity of axis in multiple different directions;
• an ultrasonic receiver in the substantial shape of a three-dimensional, non-planar, body characterized in that ultrasound is received along a multiplicity of axis from multiple different directions;
• a flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane means fitting in position about the cervix os and holding the ultrasonic transmitter, and also the ultrasonic receiver, to the wall of the cervix uteri of human female at spaced apart positions so that a straight line ultrasonic acoustic path at least partially through the cervix exists between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver, the path being simultaneously along at least one ultrasound emission axis of the ultrasonic transmitter and at least one ultrasound reception axis of the ultrasonic receiver;
• an ultrasonic transit time micrometer for detecting a delay in the propagation of ultrasound from the ultrasonic transmitter to the ultrasonic receiver as an indication of the dilatation of the cervix uteri;
• and
• electrical wires connecting both the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver in their positions secured to the wall of the cervix by the flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane means to the ultrasonic transit time micrometer.

A method of monitoring cervical dilatation comprising:

• securing an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver at spaced-apart positions upon a flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane;
• fitting the flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane in position about the cervix os so as to hold the ultrasonic transmitter, and also the ultrasonic receiver, to the wall of the cervix uteri of human female at spaced apart positions so that a straight line ultrasonic acoustic path at least partially through the cervix exists between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver;
• energizing the secured ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver with and by an ultrasonic transit time micrometer;
• detecting the ultrasound propagation transit time from the ultrasonic transmitter to the ultrasonic receiver with and by use of the ultrasonic transit time micrometer in order to provide an indication of the corresponding dilatation of the cervix uteri.