Beltless fiber optic labor contraction sensing device

A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor, said fiber optic strain sensor comprising at least one fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end, a light source located adjacent to said first end of said fiber optic cable, and a light detector located adjacent to said second end of said fiber optic cable;
• a signal transceiver in communication with said light detector;
• and
• a sensor jacket, said sensor jacket defining a space in which said fiber optic strain sensor is positioned;
• wherein, said light detector is operable to communicate an output signal to said signal transceiver in response to the application of external force upon said fiber optic cable;
• said signal transceiver is operable to receive the output signal and communicate the output signal to monitor labor contractions.

A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor, said fiber optic strain sensor comprising at least one fiber optic cable, said fiber optic cable having a first and second end, a light source located adjacent to said first end of said fiber optic cable, and a light detector located adjacent to said second end of said fiber optic cable;
• a signal decoder in communication with said light detector;
• a signal transceiver in communication with said signal decoder, said signal transceiver including a signal receiver and signal transmitter;
• and
• a flexible drape overlying said fiber optic strain sensor;
• wherein, said signal decoder is operable to communicate an output signal to said signal transceiver in response to the application of force against said fiber optic cable, said signal transceiver is operable to communicate the output signal to monitor labor contractions.

A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor, said fiber optic strain sensor comprising at least one fiber optic cable, said fiber optic cable having a first and second end, a light source located adjacent to said first end of said fiber optic cable, and a light detector located adjacent to said second end of said fiber optic cable;
• a signal decoder in communication with said light detector;
• a signal transceiver in communication with said signal decoder, said signal transceiver including a signal receiver and signal transmitter;
• and
• a sensor jacket, said sensor jacket defining a space in which at least a portion of said fiber optic strain sensor is positioned;
• wherein, said signal decoder is operable to communicate an output signal to said signal transceiver in response to the application of force against said fiber optic cable, said signal transceiver is operable to communicate the output signal to monitor labor contractions.

A labor contraction sensing device for monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface for attaching said sensor to the abdomen of the female, said attachment surface being adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen, said sensor having a generally elliptical shape;
• and
• a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor;
• wherein said sensor is operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the female and communicating said output signal to said signal transmitter, and said signal transmitter is operable for receiving said output signal and communicating said output signal for monitoring the labor contraction.

A labor contraction sensing device for monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface for attaching said sensor to the abdomen of the female, said attachment surface having a generally elliptical shape and being adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen;
• and
• a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor,
• wherein said sensor is operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the female and communicating said output signal to said signal transmitter, and said signal transmitter is operable for receiving said output signal and communicating said output signal for monitoring the labor contraction.

A labor contraction sensing device for monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface for attaching said sensor to the abdomen of the female, said attachment surface being adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen, said fiber optic strain sensor comprising
• a fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end;
• a light source adjacent said first end of said fiber optic cable;
• and
• a light detector adjacent said second end of said fiber optic cable;
• and
• a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor;
• wherein said fiber optic cable, said light source, and said light detector are embedded in a flexible sensor cover;
• wherein said light source transmits a light beam through said fiber optic cable, and said light detector is operable to identify a change in said light beam indicative of the labor contraction;
• and
• wherein said sensor is operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the female and communicating said output signal to said signal transmitter, and said signal transmitter is operable for receiving said output signal and communicating said output signal for monitoring the labor contraction.

A labor contraction sensing device for monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface for attaching said sensor to the abdomen of the female, said attachment surface being adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen, said fiber optic strain sensor comprising
• a fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end;
• a light source adjacent said first end of said fiber optic cable;
• and
• a light detector adjacent said second end of said fiber optic cable, and
• a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor;
• wherein said fiber optic cable is embedded in a flexible sensor cover;
• a pouch overlying said sensor cover;
• wherein said light source, said light detector, and said signal transmitter are housed in an electronics box, said electronics box being removably contained within said pouch;
• wherein said light source transmits a light beam through said fiber optic cable, and said light detector is operable to identify a change in said light beam indicative of the labor contraction;
• wherein said sensor is operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the female and communicating said output signal to said signal transmitter, and said signal transmitter is operable for receiving said output signal and communicating said output signal for monitoring the labor contraction.

A labor contraction sensing device for monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface for attaching said sensor to the abdomen of the female, said attachment surface being adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen, said fiber optic strain sensor comprising
• a fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end;
• a light source adjacent said first end of said fiber optic cable;
• and
• a light detector adjacent said second end of said fiber optic cable;
• and
• a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor;
• wherein said fiber optic cable is configured in a pattern comprising a plurality of elongated lobes;
• wherein said light source transmits a light beam through said fiber optic cable, and said light detector is operable to identify a change in said light beam indicative of the labor contraction;
• and
• wherein said sensor is operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the female and communicating said output signal to said signal transmitter, and said signal transmitter is operable for receiving said output signal and communicating said output signal for monitoring the labor contraction.

A labor contraction sensing device for monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said device comprising:

• a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface for attaching said sensor to the abdomen of the female, said attachment surface being adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen;
• a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor;
• and
• a flexible drape overlying said fiber optic strain sensor;
• wherein said sensor is operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the female and communicating said output signal to said signal transmitter, and said signal transmitter is operable for receiving said output signal and communicating said output signal for monitoring the labor contraction.

A method of monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said method comprising:

• attaching a fiber optic strain sensor to the abdomen of the female, said sensor having a generally elliptical shape and an attachment surface adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen;
• placing a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor,
• generating an output signal with said sensor in response to a labor contraction of the female;
• communicating said output signal from said sensor to said signal transmitter;
• and
• transmitting said output signal from said signal transmitter to a monitoring device.

A method of monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said method comprising:

• attaching a fiber optic strain sensor to the abdomen of the female, said sensor having an attachment surface adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen, said attachment surface having a generally elliptical shape;
• placing a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor;
• generating an output signal with said sensor in response to a labor contraction of the female;
• communicating said output signal from said sensor to said signal transmitter;
• and
• transmitting said output signal from said signal transmitter to a monitoring device.

A method of monitoring labor contractions of a pregnant female, said method comprising:

• attaching a fiber optic strain sensor to the abdomen of the female by placing a flexible drape over said sensor, said sensor having an attachment surface adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen;
• placing a signal transmitter in communication with said sensor, generating an output signal with said sensor in response to a labor contraction of the female;
• communicating said output signal from said sensor to said signal transmitter;
• and
• transmitting said output signal from said signal transmitter to a monitoring device.