Measurement aid for digital cervix examination

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the dilatation of the uterine cervix during labor and deliver. The system has a gauge and a monitoring unit. In one embodiment the gauge includes features for convenient attachment to the gloved fingertips of the clinician performing a routine digital probing of the cervix. The monitoring unit includes a sensor to automatically read the measurement of the gauge and a processor to process, record and display the sensor data. This system may be valuable for the assessment of the progress of labor and the early detection of delivery complications.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a gauge attached to gloved fingertips that are positioned to measure cervical diameter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of the gauge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the gauge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A shows a gauge indicator reading a 3-cm cervical diameter.

FIG. 3B shows a gauge indicator reading a 5-cm cervical diameter.

FIG. 3C shows a gauge indicator reading a 8-cm cervical diameter.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the gauge.

FIG. 5A shows another embodiment of the gauge indicator with a star pattern.

FIG. 5B shows another embodiment of the gauge indicator with a fan pattern.

FIG. 5C shows another embodiment of the gauge indicator with a sinusoidal pattern.

FIG. 5D shows another embodiment of the gauge indicator with a coil pattern.

FIG. 5E shows another embodiment of the gauge indicator with an uneven sinusoidal pattern.

FIG. 5F shows a reflectance signal generated by optically scanning the uneven sinusoidal pattern of FIG. 5E.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a monitoring unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a display screen of a monitoring unit in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A gauge for measuring the diameter of the uterine cervix comprising: a first patch attachable to a first gloved fingertip;a second patch attachable to a second gloved fingertip;a string between the first patch and the second patch;an indicator in the first patch indicating the distance between the first patch and the second patch.

2. The gauge of claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to display a segment of the string arranged in a geometrical pattern.

3. The gauge of claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to display a segment of the string arranged in a geometrical pattern superimposed with alphanumerical characters.

4. The gauge of claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to display a segment of the string arranged in a geometrical pattern selected from the group comprising: zigzag, sawtooth, sinusoidal, fan-shaped, coil-shaped, and star-shaped.

5. The gauge of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching is an adhesive.

6. The gauge of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

7. The gauge of claim 1, wherein the gauge is made of a flexible material.