Aspects of embodiments pertain to a perineal protection device for reducing the risk or preventing perineal tear during birth. The device may comprise a reinforcement shield that is releasably connectable to a female perineum of a subject, the reinforcement shield having a surface geometry substantially corresponding to an underlying perineal muscle structure and being configured to reduce deformation of the perineum during childbirth. Optionally, the perineal protection device further comprises a fastener arrangement for releasably securing the reinforcement shield to the female perineum. The fastener arrangement may comprise a support pad that is adhesively engageable with the subject and/or straps for strapping the reinforcement shield to the subject.

The need for an accurate, early, and precise estimation of expected delivery date (EDD) for the pregnant subject is vital. A system and method for predicting a day/date of delivery for a pregnant subject using one or more microbiome samples collected from the pregnant subject is provided. The disclosure relates to applying machine learning techniques on the microbiome characterization data corresponding to the biological sample(s) collected from the pregnant subject. The method further comprises using the predicted EDD to suitably plan and take required medical treatment or precautions or medical advice for the pregnant subject to prevent any pregnancy and/or delivery related complications and to manage the delivery appropriately. The disclosure also provides compositions of the microbiome data which can potentially influence the delivery date, or the method provides exemplary compositions of the microbiome data which plays vital role in estimating the EDD of the pregnant subject.

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for identifying conditions in a human or animal body, such as pregnancy or ovulation. For example, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for identifying pregnancy or ovulation, which devices and methods are adapted to mitigate the “hook effect”, thereby improving accuracy of the devices and methods.

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.

An integrated triad system to measure a patient's blood pressure at different body positions, to instruct the patient when to move from one position to the next to alleviate vascular hypertension based on an algorithm stored in the system calculating blood pressure changes and predictive risk, and to transmit the result to a remote medical location. Using the integrated triad system to perform the test over a period can increase test sensitivity by accommodating the variable onset of the disease.

A system for achieving optimal sensor placement and enhanced signal quality for monitoring maternal and fetal activities is disclosed. The system includes a monitoring device and a computing unit. The monitoring device is configured for monitoring maternal and fetal activities and providing guidance to the user via the computing unit upon detecting a feature of interest. The monitoring device includes a plurality of sensors, a data acquisition and transmission unit, one or more reference electrodes, and a ground electrode. Based on personal data acquired using the computing unit, the system utilizes a statistical or machine learning model which incorporates one or more subsets of the personal data to determine the optimal sensor placement close to the fetal heart position. Following sensor placement, the monitoring device performs a signal quality assessment and selects the optimal sensors to ensure reliable information on maternal and fetal activities is obtained.

A computing device for diffusion dictionary imaging (DDI) of microstructure and inflammation of a patient is provided. The DDI computing device is connected to other computing devices, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The DDI computing device receives magnetic resonance (MR) signals from the MRI scanner. Once received, the DDI computing device records the one or more MR signals to a memory device. The DDI computing device computationally processes the one or more MR signals to reconstruct a diffusion MRI image using diffusion dictionary data. The MR signals include values that are used as input to algorithms of the DDI data to reconstruct the diffusion MRI image. A database is used to store DDI data, artificial intelligence (AI) data, diffusion dictionary data, and MR data.

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.

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.

Aspects of the technology described herein related to monitoring fetal heartbeat and uterine contraction signals. An ultrasound system may be configured to sweep a volume to collect ultrasound data, detect a fetal heartbeat and/or uterine contraction signal in the ultrasound data, and automatically steer an ultrasound beam to monitor the fetal heartbeat and/or uterine contraction signal. The ultrasound system may be further configured to determine a location where the fetal heartbeat and/or uterine contraction signal is detectable or detectable at a highest quality. The ultrasound system may include a wearable ultrasound device, such as an ultrasound patch coupled to a subject. The wearable ultrasound device may have a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers capable of steering ultrasound beams in three dimensions.