Method and apparatus for monitoring cervical diameter
AssigneeOB Inovations, Inc.
InventorsJack Sliwa, Lee A. Blumenfeld
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for measuring cervical diameter comprises a support structure and measurement devices for detecting changes in cervical diameter, either directly or indirectly through changes in the size of the support structure. The support structure may conform to a cervical surface, typically being a peripherally expansible lumen or expansible structure. Alternatively, the support structure may engage the vaginal wall or fornices. Measurement devices may include gages which determine change in sizes of an expansible loop, electronic devices for measuring changes in transmitted or reflected energy, or combinations thereof. The devices are suitable for use on ambulatory patients and in out-patient situations.
Claims70
A cervimeter comprising:
- a loop element which is adapted to be securable to a cervix in a human female, wherein a peripheral length of the loop varies directly with a change in cervical size;
- and
- a gauge coupled to the loop element for measuring the change in loop dimension wherein the gauge is calibrated to show cervical dilation.
A cervimeter system comprising:
- an expansible support structure having a surface which is adapted to conform to and expand with a circumference of 2 cervix;
- and
- means for measuring changes in the size of the expansible support structure which result from changes in a cervical dimension and for correlating the measured change in size with cervical dilation.
A cervimeter comprising:
- a support structure which is adapted to engage at least one of the cervix or a portion of the vaginal wall proximate the cervix;
- and
- at least two radially deployable wires supported by the expansive support structure, said wires each having a free distal end which is securable to a peripheral location on a cervix;
- and
- a gauge coupled to the wires for measuring cervical size.
A cervimeter comprising:
- at least two radially deployable wires, said wires each having distal end which is securable to a peripheral location on a cervix and a free proximal end;
- and
- a gauge coupled to the wires for measuring movement of the wires as an indication of changes in cervical size.
A cervimeter as in claim 41, further comprising an expansible support structure which is adapted to conform to the inner surface of a vaginal cavity, wherein the wires are deployed radially from the support structure.
A cervimeter comprising:
- an expansible coil which is insertable into a cervical os and which uncoils as the os dilates, and
- a gauge coupled to the coil for measuring cervical size.
A method for detecting changes in the size of a cervix, said method comprising:
- securing a conformable structure to a surface of the cervix wherein the structure has a peripheral length which expands and contracts together with expansion and contraction of the cervix;
- measuring expansion and contraction of the peripheral length of the conformable structure, and correlating the measured change in length with cervical dilation.
A cervimeter comprising:
- a support structure which engages at least one of the cervix or a portion of the vaginal wall proximate the cervix;
- an expansible coil mounted on the expansible support surface, which is insertable into a cervical Os and which uncoils as the os dilates, and
- a gauge coupled to the coil for measuring cervical size.
A cervimeter comprising:
- a support structure comprising a pair of diverging spring elements spring-biased to engage against the inner wall of the cervix;
- and
- means on the support structure for measuring changes in a cervical dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.