US4036212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of predetermining time of ovulation in women and in animals to control conception
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-10-12
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1996-10-12
Abstract
Abstract The achievement of conception and the sex of the resulting human baby depends upon, or is influenced by, the time of impregnation with respect to the time of ovulation. Predetermination of prospective ovulation time enhances success since impregnation should precede ovulation because sperm remains viable longer than the egg. On the basis of the discovery that vaginal fluid contains ATP not only in women but also in a class of mammals, e.g., cows, and that the concentration varies in repeated patterns in successive ovulation cycles, the time of ovulation is predicted by measurement of ATP concentration. This is done quantitatively and reliably by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of ATP with luciferase/luciferin. A suitable buffer effects protraction of light for accurate reading with a simple meter.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Karuhn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:24
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/66; A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0012; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320012; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/906; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/14; Y10T436/141111; Y10T436/16; Y10T436/163333
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
The method of monitoring the progress of the ovulation cycle of a female mammal of the kind having an ovulation cycle which comprises periodically determining the concentration of ATP in the mammal's vaginal fluid over the period of desired investigation by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of the ATP content of periodically taken samples of the fluid with luciferase/luciferin in the presence of magnesium and manganese ions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
The method of monitoring the progress of the ovulation cycle of a female mammal of the kind having an ovulation cycle which comprises periodically determining the concentration of ATP in the mammal's vaginal fluid over the period of desired investigation by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of the ATP content of periodically taken samples of the fluid with luciferase/luciferin in the presence of magnesium and manganese ions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reaction solution is buffered to stabilize its pH and protract the light signal resulting from the reaction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the buffer comprises a 1.5 molar aqueous solution of glycine adjusted to a pH of 8.0 with purified choline base with MgSO 4 and MnSO 4 added in the amount of 1 × 10.sup. -3 molar for each material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the buffer comprises a 1.5 molar aqueous solution of glycine adjusted to a pH of 8.0 with LiOH with MgSO 4 and MnSO 4 added in the amount of 1 × 10.sup. -3 molar for each material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2 wherein each determination is carried out as follows: a standard sample of vaginal fluid is mixed with a standard quantity of buffer solution in a vial, a standard quantity of luciferase/luciferin reagent is added to the solution, and the intensity of the light emitted from the solution is measured.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the standard samples are taken by inserting a standard swab encased within a filter membrane into the vagina and permitting the swab to remain therein for a period of time sufficient to substantially fully load the swab with vaginal fluid.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of predetermining the time of ovulation of a woman which comprises periodically determining the concentration of ATP in the woman's vaginal fluid over at least her ovum development period by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of the ATP content of successive samples of the fluid with luciferase/luciferin in the presence of magnesium and manganese ions to indicate the trends of change in concentration of the ATP in the fluid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of predetermining the time of ovulation of a woman which comprises periodically determining the concentration of ATP in the woman's vaginal fluid over at least her ovum development period by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of the ATP content of successive samples of the fluid with luciferase/luciferin in the presence of magnesium and manganese ions to indicate the trends of change in concentration of the ATP in the fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 7 and including the charting of the light intensity measurements for at least one full ovum development period to establish the general cycle profile for the individual for reference purposes in interpreting the significance of light intensity trends as measured during a subsequent ovum development period.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
The method of predetermining the time of ovulation of a cow which comprises periodically determining the concentration of ATP in the cow's vaginal fluid during the period immediately preceding the cow's anticipated normal incidence of estrous by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of the ATP content of successive samples of the fluid with luciferase/luciferin in the presence of magnesium and manganese ions to indicate the trend of change in concentration of the ATP in the fluid and therefrom the imminence of estrous and thereafter placing the cow under surveillance and determining the onset of estrous and ensuing ovulation from externally visible sign.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
106 words
The method of predetermining the time of ovulation of a cow which comprises periodically determining the concentration of ATP in the cow's vaginal fluid during the period immediately preceding the cow's anticipated normal incidence of estrous by measuring the intensity of light resulting from the reaction of the ATP content of successive samples of the fluid with luciferase/luciferin in the presence of magnesium and manganese ions to indicate the trend of change in concentration of the ATP in the fluid and therefrom the imminence of estrous and thereafter placing the cow under surveillance and determining the onset of estrous and ensuing ovulation from externally visible sign.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of managing the breeding of a cow by artificial insemination which comprises the predetermination of the time of ovulation of the cow by the method of claim 9 and artificially inseminating the cow approximately 12 hours after the observed onset of estrous.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |