Method and apparatus for analyzing uterine electrical activity from surface measurements for obstetrical diagnosis
US5623939A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/726
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus is presented for recording uterine electrical activity from the surface of the abdomen or vagina for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus in pregnant and nonpregnant patients. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing electromyographic data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize uterine activity. The method and apparatus described include algorithms for the systematic analysis of electrical signals recorded from the abdominal surface. Such processing comprises integration of signals, frequency spectral analysis, 3-dimensional power density mesh plots, vector analysis, fast wavelet transform, and joint time-frequency characteristics. These techniques and apparatus are appropriate for use in a clinic or through communication lines for use as a remote or home uterine monitoring system. As such, uterine electrical activity may be measured at a remote location and processed at a central facility through on-line communications channels, such as a telephone line. The techniques and apparatus disclosed are also useful in predicting successful treatment for cases where either the uterus fails to devel…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.