Patent EP0094749A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0094749A2
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EP
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Monitoring of capillary blood flow
Assignee: Wyeth LLC
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Filing: 1983-04-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-04-21
Abstract
Abstract The monitoring of capillary blood flow in a woman's cervical wall and vaginal wall is provided so that the capillary blood flow patterns therein may be compared in order to evaluate various physiological conditions of the woman. Systems and devices for carrying out these evaluations, as well as for observing such capillary blood flow patterns separately, are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Harry Gee Hon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1464; A61B5/03; A61B5/033; A61B5/035; A61B5/14542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A device for use in monitoring cervical and/or vaginal capillary blood flow, comprising: a support adapted to be held between the vaginal wall and the cervical wall of a woman; and means for sensing capillary blood flow; the sensing means being positioned on the support to contact one of the cervical wall and the vaginal wall for sensing capillary blood flow therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A device for use in monitoring cervical and/or vaginal capillary blood flow, comprising: a support adapted to be held between the vaginal wall and the cervical wall of a woman; and means for sensing capillary blood flow; the sensing means being positioned on the support to contact one of the cervical wall and the vaginal wall for sensing capillary blood flow therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the support is. adapted to be expanded when placed between the cervical wall and the vaginal wall such that it presses against and is held by at least one of the vaginal and cervical walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the expandable support comprises an inflatable bladder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the expandable support is adapted to absorb fluids and to expand in response to such absorption.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the expandable support comprises a sponge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the support has a toroidal shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the toroidal support extends through at least about two thirds of a circle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the toroidal support has an inner, concave surface and an outer, convex surface; and the sensing means comprise a plurality of sensing means spaced about one of the inner and outer surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sensing means are spaced about both of the inner and outer surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 7, wherein the toroidal support has an inner, concave surface and an outer, convex surface; and wherein the sensing means comprises first, second and third sensing means disposed about one of the inner and outer surfaces at angular intervals of about one third of a circle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the first, second and third sensing means are disposed about the inner surface; and further comprising fourth, fifth and sixth sensing means disposed about the outer surface at angular intervals of about one third of a circle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the support is capable of being modified at the time of clinical use to conform to a woman's cervix.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
23 words
The device of claim I, wherein the support comprises a form-sustaining spine and a cushion positioned for contacting the cervical and vaginal walls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 13, wherein the spine is capable of reformation in clinical use for conformity to a woman's cervix.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 13, wherein the cushion is adapted to expand when placed between the cervical wall and the vaginal wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 15, wherein the expandable cushion is adapted to absorb fluids and to expand in response to such absorption.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 16, wherein the expandable cushion comprises a sponge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the sensing means comprises a base having a surface positioned to face one of the cervical and vaginal walls, infrared transmitting means supported by the base and having a portion protruding through the surface thereof to be pressed against one of the cervical and vaginal walls and for transmitting infrared radiation thereinto, and means for detecting infrared radiation supported by the base and having a portion protruding through the surface thereof to be pressed against said one of the cervical and vaginal walls and for receiving infrared radiation therefrom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 18, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series for the application of an illuminating voltage thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the sensing means comprise a plurality of sensors adapted to be positioned at spaced locations on one of the vaginal and cervical walls, each sensor being adapted to produce a signal representative of capillary blood flow at its respective location; and wherein the device further comprises means for producing a signal representative of an average value of the signals produced by the sensors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
2L The device of claim 20, wherein the average signal producing means comprises means for adding the amplitudes of the signals produced by the sensors.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of evaluating a physiological condition of a woman, comprising the steps of: producing a first signal representative of capillary blood flow in the woman's cervix; producing a second signal representative of capillary blood flow in the woman's vagina; and comparing the first and second signals.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of evaluating a physiological condition of a woman, comprising the steps of: producing a first signal representative of capillary blood flow in the woman's cervix; producing a second signal representative of capillary blood flow in the woman's vagina; and comparing the first and second signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the step of comparing the first and second signals comprises displaying the first and second signals with respect to a common time base.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the step of comparing the first and second signals comprises producing a third signal representative of differences between the first and second signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the step of producing the third signal comprises subtracting one of the first and second signals from the other.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the physiological condition is premature labor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the physiological condition is ovulation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the physiological condition is utero- placental insufficiency.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the physiological condition is maternal hypotension.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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