Cervical ripening catheters are disclosed, and methods for monitoring and measuring a change in intrauterine parameters without rupturing the amniotic sac. The catheter is provided with a uterine balloon, and a pressure sensor in pressure sensing communication with the uterine balloon. Sensing circuitry is configured to detect pressure applied to the pressure-sensor and communicate information relating to uterine contractions. The catheter may also be provided with sensors for determining fetal heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, fetal blood pH or pelvimetry measurement. A working channel extends throughout the catheter to permit direct access to the amniotic sac by additional diagnostic or therapeutic tools.

A system and method for determining cervical stiffness in a patient, to help identify the risk of preterm birth in pregnant patients, based on abnormal changes in cervical stiffness during pregnancy. A probe is inserted to engage the patient's cervix and activated to deform the cervix a predetermined amount. The amount of force needed for the probe to deform the cervix the predetermined amount is measured and a cervical stiffness value can be displayed, based on how much force was needed to deform the cervix the predetermined amount. The probe can include a piston, cuff or loop or an expanding head to deform the cervix. The probe can include the related electronics to activate the probe and display the results as well as preterm birth risk warnings.

Adaptive imaging methods and systems for generating enhanced low light video of an object for medical visualization are disclosed and include acquiring, with an image acquisition assembly, a sequence of reference frames and/or a sequence of low light video frames depicting the object, assessing relative movement between the image acquisition assembly and the object based on at least a portion of the acquired sequence of reference video frames or the acquired sequence of low light video frames, adjusting a level of image processing of the low light video frames based at least in part on the relative movement between the image acquisition assembly and the object, and generating a characteristic low light video output from a quantity of the low light video frames, wherein the quantity of the low light video frames is based on the adjusted level of image processing of the low light video frames.

An intra-uterine monitoring system is described. The system has an intra-uterine device, shaped and dimensioned for implantation in a uterus, and a receiver device. The intra-uterine device is for measuring conditions within the uterus to generate sensor data and for acting as a contraceptive device to prevent pregnancy. The receiver device is for wirelessly receiving the sensor data generated by the intra-uterine device implantable sensor device.