Fetal anatomic sex assignment by ultrasonography during early pregnancy
US4986274A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B10/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for fetal anatomic sex assignment by ultrasound during early pregnancy based on pattern recognition that allows identification of external genitalia during the gestational age range of 12 to 14 weeks. The pattern recognition derives from knowledge of the embryology of the developing external genitalia of the fetus and the relationship between embryologic events and recognizing patterns specific for male and female obtained by ultrasonic imaging. Fetal anatomic sex has been accurately diagnosed using high resolution digital linear-array real-time ultrasound in over 500 pregnancies that were scheduled for ultrasound except for detected cases of sex reversal, sex chromosome mosaicism, prior to genetic amniocentesis, and ambiguous sex chromosomes, except as noted, ultrasonic imaging of the penile or clitoral structure corresponded to later sex determination by karyotype. Imaging of the external genitalia can be included as part of a complete fetal anatomic survey, which includes gestational age dating and inspection for gross abnormalities. Sex assignment requires 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Fetal anatomic sex assignment can be performed by ultrasound…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.