Patent · US Expired

Preterm labor and membrane rupture test

US5096830A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
3References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 15, 1988
Grant dateMar 17, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 15, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S436/814
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for determining increased risk of labor and fetal membrane rupture after week 20 of pregnancy comprises obtaining a secretion sample from the vaginal cavity; and determining the presence of a fetal restricted antigen in the sample. The sample can be removed from anywhere in the vaginal cavity, but is preferably removed from the posterior fornix or and/or cervical os. One fetal restricted antigen is fetal fibronectin. In one embodiment of this invention, the sample is contacted with an insoluble support to which anti-(fetal restricted antigen) antibody is adhered, and the fetal restricted antigen binding to the support is determined. Alternatively, the class of substances of which the fetal restricted antigen is a member is captured with a general binding antibody (such as anti-human fibronectin antibody), anti-(fetal restricted antigen) antibody (such as anti-fetal fibronectin antibody) is conjugated with the support, and binding with fetal restricted antigen is determined. Reagents and reagent kits are also included.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.