Patent US4534362A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4534362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for detection of fertility
Assignee: University Patents Inc
•
Filing: 1982-05-07
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Granted: 1985-08-13
•
Expires: 2002-05-07
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for detecting the fertile and infertile phases of the human female menstrual cycle based upon observation of cyclic volumetric and gravimetric changes in cervico-vaginal fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Gebhard F. B. A. Schumacher
- 👤 Stephen J. Usala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/04; A61B10/0012; A61B10/0045; A61B2010/0074
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting the fertile and infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle comprising: daily collecting of cervico-vaginal fluid from the vagina over a period of days; and determining the cyclic pattern of volumetric changes in said fluid over said period of days to indicate the phases in the cycle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting the fertile and infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle comprising: daily collecting of cervico-vaginal fluid from the vagina over a period of days; and determining the cyclic pattern of volumetric changes in said fluid over said period of days to indicate the phases in the cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said collecting step comprises: collecting said cervico-vaginal fluid in a calibrated aspirator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said collecting step is performed at the same time every twenty-four hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 1 and comprising: storing said cervico-vaginal fluid after said collecting and determining steps; and chemically analyzing said stored fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 4 and comprising: correlating the volumetric pattern of the cervico-vaginal fluid to cyclic changes in the chemical and biological constituents of the fluid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claims 4 or 5 wherein said analyzing step comprises analyzing for IgG and albumin.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting the fertile and infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle comprising: daily collecting of cervico-vaginal fluid from the vagina over a period of days; and determining the cyclic pattern of gravimetric changes in said fluid over said period of days to indicate the phases in the cycle.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting the fertile and infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle comprising: daily collecting of cervico-vaginal fluid from the vagina over a period of days; and determining the cyclic pattern of gravimetric changes in said fluid over said period of days to indicate the phases in the cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 7 wherein said collecting step comprises: collecting said cervico-vaginal fluid in a calibrated aspirator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 7 wherein said collecting step is performed at the same time every twenty-four hours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 7 and further comprising: storing said cervico-vaginal fluid after said collecting and determining steps; and chemically analyzing said stored fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 10 and comprising: correlating the gravimetric pattern of the cervico-vaginal fluid to cyclic changes in the chemical and biological constituents of the fluid.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claims 10 or 11 wherein said analyzing step comprises analyzing for IgG and albumin.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of detecting the fertile and infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle employing a series of steps performed once per day for at least several days preceding and following ovulation, said steps comprising: collecting cervico-vaginal fluid which naturally accumulates in the vagina during a normal daily interval; measuring and recording the volume of said collection of cervico-vaginal fluid; and determining from said recording the cyclic pattern of volumetric changes during a menstrual cycle; whereby the onset of the fertile phase and impending ovulation is indicated by an increase in volume in contrast to the low average volume of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase, and whereby time of optimum fertility is indicated by a significant peak in volume, in contrast to the low average volume of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of detecting the fertile and infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle employing a series of steps performed once per day for at least several days preceding and following ovulation, said steps comprising: collecting cervico-vaginal fluid which naturally accumulates in the vagina during a normal daily interval; measuring and recording the volume of said collection of cervico-vaginal fluid; and determining from said recording the cyclic pattern of volumetric changes during a menstrual cycle; whereby the onset of the fertile phase and impending ovulation is indicated by an increase in volume in contrast to the low average volume of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase, and whereby time of optimum fertility is indicated by a significant peak in volume, in contrast to the low average volume of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 13 wherein said collecting step comprises: collecting said cervico-vaginal fluid in a calibrated aspirator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 13 wherein said collecting step is performed at the same time every twenty-four hours.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
8 words
The method recited in claim 13 and comprising:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
storing said cervico-vaginal fluid after said collecting and determining steps; and chemically analyzing said stored fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
storing said cervico-vaginal fluid after said collecting and determining steps; and chemically analyzing said stored fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 16 and comprising: correlating the volumetric pattern of the cervico-vaginal fluid to cyclic changes in the chemical and biological constituents of the fluid.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claims 16 or 17 wherein said analyzing step comprises analyzing for IgG and albumin.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of detecting the fertile and the infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle employing a series of steps performed once per day for at least several days preceding and following ovulation, said steps comprising: collecting cervico-vaginal fluid which naturally accumulates in the vagina during a normal daily interval; measuring and recording the weight of such collection of cervico-vaginal fluid; and determining from said recording the cyclic pattern of gravimetric changes during the menstrual cycle; whereby the onset of the fertile phase and impending ovulation is indicated by an increase in weight in contrast to the low average weight of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase, and whereby the time of optimum fertility is indicated by a significant peak in volume in contrast to the low average weight of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of detecting the fertile and the infertile phases in the human menstrual cycle employing a series of steps performed once per day for at least several days preceding and following ovulation, said steps comprising: collecting cervico-vaginal fluid which naturally accumulates in the vagina during a normal daily interval; measuring and recording the weight of such collection of cervico-vaginal fluid; and determining from said recording the cyclic pattern of gravimetric changes during the menstrual cycle; whereby the onset of the fertile phase and impending ovulation is indicated by an increase in weight in contrast to the low average weight of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase, and whereby the time of optimum fertility is indicated by a significant peak in volume in contrast to the low average weight of the infertile early follicular phase following menses and the infertile luteal phase.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 19 wherein said collecting step comprises: collecting said cervico-vaginal fluid in a calibrated aspirator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 19 wherein said collecting step is performed at the same time every twenty-four hours.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 19 and comprising: storing said cervico-vaginal fluid after said collecting and determining steps; and chemically analyzing said stored fluid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 22 and comprising: correlating the gravimetric pattern of the cervico-vaginal fluid to cyclic changes in the chemical and biological constituents of the fluid.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claims 22 or 23 wherein said analyzing step comprises analyzing for IgG and albumin.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for collection of total cervico-vaginal fluid from a vaginal cavity having a vaginal wall and a cervix located at its upper end, said apparatus being adaptable for self-use by a female subject and comprising: elongated, cylindrical tube means having a continuous longitudinal passage therethrough and an exterior surface, for insertion into a vaginal cavity; mouth means positioned at one end of said tube means for receiving cervico-vaginal fluid, said mouth means comprising means for preventing traumatization or perforation of the tissue of the vaginal wall or the cervix when said mouth means is in a predetermined orientation and means for easing said mouth means into the posterior fornix of said vaginal cavity; means on another end of said tube means, opposite said mouth means, for maintaining said mouth means in said predetermined orientation when said mouth means is inside said vaginal cavity; and means for creating a suction force inside said passage to aspirate said cervico-vaginal fluid into said passage of said tube means when said apparatus is in said vaginal cavity.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for collection of total cervico-vaginal fluid from a vaginal cavity having a vaginal wall and a cervix located at its upper end, said apparatus being adaptable for self-use by a female subject and comprising: elongated, cylindrical tube means having a continuous longitudinal passage therethrough and an exterior surface, for insertion into a vaginal cavity; mouth means positioned at one end of said tube means for receiving cervico-vaginal fluid, said mouth means comprising means for preventing traumatization or perforation of the tissue of the vaginal wall or the cervix when said mouth means is in a predetermined orientation and means for easing said mouth means into the posterior fornix of said vaginal cavity; means on another end of said tube means, opposite said mouth means, for maintaining said mouth means in said predetermined orientation when said mouth means is inside said vaginal cavity; and means for creating a suction force inside said passage to aspirate said cervico-vaginal fluid into said passage of said tube means when said apparatus is in said vaginal cavity.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 25 and comprising: means on said tube means for alleviating said suction force, upon aspiration of said fluid from the vaginal cavity, thereby preventing tissue damage or pain due to pressure created by said suction force.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus recited in claim 26 wherein said means for alleviating said suction force comprises: a channel extending along the length of said tube means on the exterior surface thereof, said channel being separate and discrete from said longitudinal passage in said tube means and being non-communicative therewith.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus recited in claim 25 and comprising: indicator means within said passage for detecting the chemical properties of said cervico-vaginal fluid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus recited in claim 25 wherein the exterior surface of said tube means comprises volumetric calibrations along its entire length.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus recited in claim 25 wherein said maintaining means is substantially rectangular.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus recited in claim 25 wherein said mouth means is bulbously enlarged and elliptically shaped
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 25 wherein: said maintaining means comprises means for monitoring the proper positioning of said mouth means in said predetermined orientation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus recited in claim 25 wherein: said maintaining means is substantially rectangular; and said mouth means is bulbously enlarged and elliptically shaped.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus recited in claim 33 wherein: said rectangular maintaining means is oriented with its longest side parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elliptical mouth means and comprises means for monitoring proper positioning of said mouth means in said predetermined orientation by observation of the orientation of said rectangular maintaining means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus recited in claim 25 wherein said suction-creating means comprises: a shaft reciprocally movable within said passage; said shaft having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end being located closer to said mouth means than said outer end; and a tip located on said inner end of said shaft, said tip comprising means for preventing the flow beyond the location of said tip of cervico-vaginal fluid drawn into said passage.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for collection of cervico-vaginal fluid from a vaginal cavity having a vaginal wall and a cervix located at its upper end, said apparatus being adaptable for self-use by a female subject and comprising: elongated, cylindrical tube means having a continuous longitudinal passage therethrough and an exterior surface for insertion into a vaginal cavity; mouth means positioned at one end of said tube means for receiving cervico-vaginal fluid; means for creating a suction force inside said passage to aspirate said cervico-vaginal fluid into said passage of said tube means when said apparatus is in said vaginal cavity; and means on said tube means for alleviating said suction force, upon aspiration of said fluid from the vaginal cavity, thereby preventing tissue damage or pain due to pressure created by said suction force.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for collection of cervico-vaginal fluid from a vaginal cavity having a vaginal wall and a cervix located at its upper end, said apparatus being adaptable for self-use by a female subject and comprising: elongated, cylindrical tube means having a continuous longitudinal passage therethrough and an exterior surface for insertion into a vaginal cavity; mouth means positioned at one end of said tube means for receiving cervico-vaginal fluid; means for creating a suction force inside said passage to aspirate said cervico-vaginal fluid into said passage of said tube means when said apparatus is in said vaginal cavity; and means on said tube means for alleviating said suction force, upon aspiration of said fluid from the vaginal cavity, thereby preventing tissue damage or pain due to pressure created by said suction force.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus recited in claim 36 and comprising: indicator means within said passage for detecting the chemical properties of said cervico-vaginal fluid.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus recited in claim 36 wherein the exterior surface of said tube means comprises volumetric calibrations along its entire length.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus recited in claim 36 wherein said mouth means is bulbously enlarged and elliptically shaped.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus recited in claim 36 wherein said means for alleviating said suction force comprises: a channel extending along the length of said tube means on the exterior surface thereof, said channel being separate and discrete from said longitudinal passage in said tube means and being non-communicative therewith.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus recited in claim 36 wherein said suction-creating means comprises: shaft reciprocally movable within said passage; said shaft means having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end being located closer to said mouth means than said outer end; and a tip located on said inner end of said shaft, said tip comprising means for preventing the flow beyond the location of said tip of cervico-vaginal fluid drawn into said passage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-12 | 1989-02-11 | 1989-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-12 | 1993-02-11 | 1993-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-12 | 1997-02-11 | 1997-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |