Devices and methods for monitoring female arousal

A measurement device, comprising:

• at least one oximeter probe constructed for placement in proximity to the vaginal wall of a female subject, the at least one oximeter probe generating first data signals;
• a housing constructed for supporting the at least one oximeter probe in close association with the vaginal wall;
• and
• control electronics for receiving the first data signals and generating second data signals representing at least one of vaginal blood volume and vaginal pulse amplitude.

A measurement device, comprising:

• sensing means for producing first data signals, the sensing means being constructed for placement in proximity to at least one female anatomical structure, the at least one female anatomical structure being selected from the group consisting of the vagina and the clitoris;
• means for supporting the sensing means in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to at least one blood vessel within the female anatomical structure, such that the first data signals are related to a blood parameter associated with the at least one blood vessel, the at least one blood vessel including the clitoral cavernosal artery;
• and
• means, operably coupled with the sensing means, for receiving the first data signals.

A measurement device, comprising:

• at least one sensing element constructed for placement in proximity to at least one female anatomical structure, the at least one female anatomical structure being selected from the group consisting of the vagina and the clitoris, the at least one sensing element being constructed to produce first data signals;
• a housing constructed for supporting the at least one sensing element in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to at least one blood vessel within the female anatomical structure, the at least one blood vessel being selected from the group consisting of the vaginal artery and the clitoral cavernosal artery, such that the first data signals are related to a blood parameter associated with the at least one blood vessel;
• and
• control electronics operably coupled with the at least one sensing element to receive the first data signals;
• wherein the at least one sensing element comprises an ultrasound transducer;
• further wherein the control electronics process the first data signals to generate second data signals representing clitoral cavernosal artery blood velocity.

A measurement device, comprising:

• at least one sensing element constructed for placement in proximity to at least one female anatomical structure, the at least one female anatomical structure being selected from the group consisting of the vagina and the clitoris, the at least one sensing element being constructed to produce first data signals, wherein the at least one sensing element comprises a plurality of ultrasound transducers;
• a housing constructed for supporting the at least one sensing element in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to at least one blood vessel within the female anatomical structure, the at least one blood vessel being selected from the group consisting of the vaginal artery and the clitoral cavernosal artery, such that the first data signals are related to a blood parameter associated with the at least one blood vessel, wherein the housing comprises an elongate shaft constructed for insertion into the vagina, at least one of the plurality of ultrasound transducers being disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft;
• control electronics operably coupled with the at least one sensing element to receive the first data signals;
• and
• an adjustable housing portion constructed for supporting one of the plurality of ultrasound transducers, the adjustable housing portion being coupled with the elongate shaft to adjust the distance between the elongate shaft and the ultrasound transducer supported by the adjustable housing portion;
• wherein the plurality of ultrasound transducers comprises three ultrasound transducers, a first of the three ultrasound transducers disposed for taking measurements from one vaginal artery, a second of the three ultrasound transducers disposed for taking measurements from the second vaginal artery, and a third of three ultrasound transducers disposed for taking measurements from the clitoral cavernosal artery.

A measurement device, comprising:

• at least one sensing element constructed for placement in proximity to at least one female anatomical structure, the at least one female anatomical structure being selected from the group consisting of the vagina and the clitoris, the at least one sensing element being constructed to produce first data signals;
• a housing constructed for supporting the at least one sensing element in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to at least one blood vessel within the female anatomical structure, the at least one blood vessel being selected from the group consisting of the vaginal artery and the clitoral cavernosal artery, such that the first data signals are related to a blood parameter associated with the at least one blood vessel;
• and
• control electronics operably coupled with the at least one sensing element to receive the first data signals;
• wherein the at least one sensing element comprises a plurality of electrodes, further wherein the control electronics process the first data signals to produce second data signals that represent blood-volume changes in the female vaginal wall, the labia, and/or the clitoris.

A measurement device, comprising:

• at least one oximeter probe constructed for placement in proximity to the vaginal wall of a female subject, the at least one oximeter probe generating first data signals;
• a housing constructed for supporting the at least one oximeter probe in close association with the vaginal wall;
• control electronics for receiving the first data signals and generating second data signals representing oxygenation level of the hemoglobin in the capillaries of the vaginal wall;
• and
• at least one photoplethysmographic probe supported by the housing and operably coupled with the control electronics, the control electronics generating third data signals representing at least one of vaginal blood volume and vaginal pulse amplitude.

A measurement device, comprising:

• at least one oximeter probe constructed for placement in proximity to the vaginal wall of a female subject, the at least one oximeter probe generating first data signals;
• a housing constructed for supporting the at least one oximeter probe in close association with the vaginal wall;
• control electronics for receiving the first data signals and generating second data signals representing oxygenation level of the hemoglobin in the capillaries of the vaginal wall;
• and
• at least one electrode supported by the housing for generating data signals related to a vaginal parameter, the control electronics receiving the vaginal-parameter data signals.

A measurement device, comprising:

• at least one oximeter probe constructed for placement in proximity to the vaginal wall of a female subject, the at least one oximeter probe generating first data signals;
• a housing constructed for supporting the at least one oximeter probe in close association with the vaginal wall;
• control electronics for receiving the first data signals and generating second data signals representing oxygenation level of the hemoglobin in the capillaries of the vaginal wall;
• a pressure balloon operably coupled with a pressure source, the pressure balloon being disposed so as to urge the oximeter probe toward the vaginal wall with a desired pressure;
• and
• an automatic pressure-regulation mechanism, operably coupled with the pressure balloon and the control electronics, for automatically maintaining the contact pressure between the vaginal wall and the oximeter probe.