The present invention relates to a method for producing an animal model of preterm birth and an animal model of preterm birth produced by the method. The animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to investigate the causes and symptoms of preterm birth induced by cervical injury. The mortality rate of the animal model according to the present invention is low until preterm birth despite its induced preterm birth. In addition, the animal model of the present invention is produced in a higher yield than any other existing model. Furthermore, the preterm birth of the animal model according to the present invention is induced at a desired time point. Due to these advantages, the animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to investigate the causes and mechanisms of preterm birth. The mortality rate of premature neonates born from the animal model of the present invention is considerably low and the premature neonates are immature. Therefore, the animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to studies on complications of premature neonates.

The technology disclosed in this patent document can be used to construct devices with opto-electronic circuitry for sensing and identification applications, to provide untethered devices for deployment in living objects and other applications, and to provide fabrication techniques for making such devices for commercial production. As illustrated by specific examples disclosed herein, the disclosed technology can be implemented to provide fabrication methods, substrates, and devices that enable wireless, inorganic cell-scaled sensor and identification systems that are optically-powered and optically-readout.

A garment includes a securing portion operable to removably secure the garment about an abdomen of a wearer; a sensor attachment portion pivotably attached to the securing portion, the sensor attachment portion including a sensor mount configured to receive and retain a sensor therein; and a sensor received in the flexible sensor mount; the securing portion and the sensor attachment portion being configured such that, when the securing portion is secured around the back of a wearer, the sensor attachment portion pivots with respect to the securing portion so as to self-position the sensor attachment portion across (a) an upper portion of the wearer's abdomen or (b) a lower portion of the wearer's abdomen; the flexible sensor mount being configured to orient a sensor received therein to be flush with skin of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer and to self-adjust during the course of pregnancy.

Systems, methods, techniques, articles, garments and apparatuses for obtaining bodily information from menstrual fluid. A patch portion with a biosensor is placed within the garment or article in communication with the menstrual blood flow. The measured bodily information obtained from the menstruating woman is then transmitted either physically or electronically to a lab or others for further analysis.

System and method for assessing preterm delivery risk for pregnant subject is disclosed. Existing preterm delivery risk assessment methods provide results in late second or third trimester of pregnancy, so little time is available for medical advice. Presently disclosed method and system predict preterm delivery risk within 15 weeks of pregnancy. Microbiome characterization data obtained from microbiome sample from pregnant subject. Microbial taxonomic abundance profile generated from microbiome characterization data, contains abundance values of microbes present in the microbiome sample. Taxonomic Composition Skew value, and distribution characteristic value for microbial taxonomic abundance profile, quantifying biases in abundance values of microbes from the microbial taxonomic abundance profile, is computed. Risk of preterm delivery is determined based on the distribution characteristic value or taxonomic composition skew value of the set DSR, wherein the set DSR comprises values quantifying biases in the abundance values of microbes from the microbiome sample.

A wearable article is provided. The wearable article may include a base portion, wherein the base portion may include a front portion, a back portion substantially opposite to the front portion, and an interior portion. The front portion may include at least one body section and the back portion may include at least one wedge section.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring pregnancy of a female pregnant subject. For example, a pregnancy monitoring system can detect movement or motion of a pregnant subject and/or of the fetus in the pregnant subject. Additionally or alternatively, the pregnancy monitoring system can detect internal and/or external source loads applied to the pregnant subject. In an embodiment, the pregnancy monitoring system can compare and/or correlate two or more loads, one to another (e.g., to produce an output that is at least partially based on such comparison and that is related to the wellbeing of the pregnant subject and/or of the fetus). For example, the pregnancy monitoring system can include a controller that is configured to determine and compare two or more loads based on signals received from one or more sensors that can be positioned on the pregnant subject.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring pregnancy of a female pregnant subject. For example, a pregnancy monitoring system can detect movement or motion of a pregnant subject and/or of the fetus in the pregnant subject. Additionally or alternatively, the pregnancy monitoring system can detect internal and/or external source loads applied to the pregnant subject. In an embodiment, the pregnancy monitoring system can compare and/or correlate two or more loads, one to another (e.g., to produce an output that is in part based on such comparison and that is related to the wellbeing of the pregnant subject and/or of the fetus). For example, the pregnancy monitoring system can include a controller that is configured to determine and compare two or more loads based on signals received from one or more sensors that can be positioned on the pregnant subject.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring pregnancy of a female pregnant subject. For example, a pregnancy monitoring system can detect movement or motion of a pregnant subject and/or of the fetus in the pregnant subject. Additionally or alternatively, the pregnancy monitoring system can detect internal and/or external source loads applied to the pregnant subject. In an embodiment, the pregnancy monitoring system can compare and/or correlate two or more loads, one to another (e.g., to produce an output that is in part based on such comparison and that is related to the wellbeing of the pregnant subject and/or of the fetus). For example, the pregnancy monitoring system can include a controller that is configured to determine and compare two or more loads based on signals received from one or more sensors that can be positioned on the pregnant subject.

A system and method is provided for monitoring the fetal position and/or orientation of the fetus of an expectant mother. An acoustic sensor array is positioned over the belly. The pattern of acoustic sensor signals is processed to determine a fetal orientation and/or to determine movement over time of the fetus.