David W Gibbs

US Patent:

58294384, Nov 3, 1998

Filed:

Aug 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/514234

Inventors:

David L. Gibbs - San Francisco CA
Michael Harrison - San Francisco CA
W. Scott Kemper - San Diego CA
Michael P. Guberek - Encinitas CA

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

128775

Abstract:

The onset of spontaneous abortion or premature labor of a pregnant human female is continuously monitored, potentially for periods of several months and longer, by a real-time transit-time ultrasonic monitor of the dilatation and/or effacement of the cervix os, preferably by a computerized ambulatory monitor. The preferred computerized monitor sounds an alarm upon the detection of variably present conditions, normally the compound conditions of five or more 10% cyclical variations in the dilatation or effacement of the cervix os within a period of one hour, coupled with a greater than 1 centimeter increase over baseline of either dilatation or effacement, which compound conditions normally indicate the early onset of labor. The monitor connects to an infusion pump, likewise preferably ambulatory, for directing and controlling the infusion of one or more tocolytic, labor-preventing, drugs if labor continues. In this manner patient activity and patient chemistry can be early detected, early alarmed and early beneficially altered even before it is possible to receive the diagnosis or treatment of a physician of other health care provider.