The present invention relates to a method for long term, continuous, monitoring of pregnant mammals particularly to detect the onset of labor. For The example, the method enables communication of data representing impedance through tissue of a cervix of a pregnant mammal an external module for display and monitoring of the collected data by a clinician.

A device for retarding birth including an upper ring for surrounding a cervix, an anchoring component for anchoring the device, and an elastic component for attaching the upper ring to the anchoring component, wherein the elastic component pushes the upper ring and the anchoring component apart. A device for retarding birth including a sleeve for surrounding a cervix along a greater portion of a length of the cervix, a support strip on the sleeve directed along an axis of the sleeve, and a ring at least partially around the sleeve, in which when a top of the sleeve is pushed to expand radially, the support strip pivots on the ring, such that an end of the support strip near the top of the sleeve moves radially outward, and an end of the support strip near the bottom of the sleeve moves radially inward. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

An apparatus for determining a force F.sub.tip applied to a tip of an electrical impedance spectroscopy probe includes a load cell, accelerometer, and a processing means. The probe tip has a substantially planar distal end for contacting human or animal tissue. The load cell measures the force F.sub.loadcell applied axially along a longitudinal axis when the probe tip is in contact with human or animal tissue. The accelerometer measures a gravity vector A.sub.axial. The apparatus includes a means for compensating for the mass of the probe tip using the measured force and the gravity vector to produce a calibrated measurement force F applied to the probe tip.

Methods and system are described for multi-modal, multi-parametric, non-invasive, and real-time assessment of cervical tissue through a multi-modal probe device for use within a vaginal canal and an associated imaging system to assess a risk of preterm delivery of an expectant mother. The multi-modal system may include ultrasound (US) imaging, viscoelastic (VE) imaging, and/or photoacoustic (PA) imaging of the cervical issue to determine cervical biomarker information indicative of parameters including, but not limited to, a collagen to water ratio such that a more water dominant ratio is indicative of a risk of preterm delivery.

Disclosed herein are novel cervical dilation monitoring systems and methods. In some embodiments, the systems and methods can include a novel cervical dilation monitoring device that collects continuous, objective, and reliable data regarding the dilation of a patient during labor. The device can include a cup that can be positioned within the vaginal canal of a patient. It can also include an imaging unit, a proximity sensor, and one or more light sources positioned within the cup that can be directed toward the patient's cervix. The imaging unit can capture visual data from the cervix or cervical os and the proximity sensor can capture data regarding a distance between the imaging unit and the cervix. The data can be transmitted to a processor or a computing device that can perform image analysis to convert the data into cervical dilation measurements.

A system for detecting the onset of labor in a pregnant woman. The system includes a disposable cervical device configured to be self-inserted by the pregnant woman, the cervical device measures attributes of a cervix of the pregnant woman, and a smartphone application configured to receive data from the cervical device and to provide an indication of immediate onset of labor or risk of onset of labor within a predetermined time frame.

Described herein are light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-based medical devices and methods of their use for measuring internal body cavity geometries of a subject.

A device for retarding birth, forming a lumen for surrounding a uterine cervix, the device including an upper ring for surrounding the uterine cervix, and an anchoring mechanism for anchoring the device on the cervix. A tool for inserting a device for retarding birth, the device including a device lumen for surrounding a uterine cervix, the tool including a plurality of rods attached to two rings, forming a longitudinal tool lumen, each rod including a connector for attaching to the device for retarding birth at a distal end of the rod, and a mechanism at a proximal end of the rod, for detaching the device for retarding birth at the distal end of the rod. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

A method of quantifying progression of pregnancy, includes a) illuminating a uterine cervix with polarized light having a wavelength comprised between 600 and 1100 nm; b) acquiring a plurality of images of the illuminated uterine cervix through a polarization state analyser in respective analysing states; steps a) and b) being performed either once or a plurality of time using polarized light having different polarization states; c) from the acquired images, computing a depolarization parameter over a region of interest of the uterine cervix; and d) quantifying the progression of the pregnancy from said depolarization parameter. An apparatus, based on a colposcope fitted with a controllable polarization state generator, a controllable polarization state analyser and a suitably-programmed computer, for carrying out such a method. A computer program for carrying out such a method.

A device for retarding birth including an upper ring for surrounding a cervix, an anchoring component for anchoring the device, and an elastic component for attaching the upper ring to the anchoring component, wherein the elastic component pushes the upper ring and the anchoring component apart. A device for retarding birth including a sleeve for surrounding a cervix along a greater portion of a length of the cervix, a support strip on the sleeve directed along an axis of the sleeve, and a ring at least partially around the sleeve, in which when a top of the sleeve is pushed to expand radially, the support strip pivots on the ring, such that an end of the support strip near the top of the sleeve moves radially outward, and an end of the support strip near the bottom of the sleeve moves radially inward. Related apparatus and methods are also described.