| 摘要 |
A system and method for monitoring uterine cervical dilation, effacement, and consistency during labor. A probe (100) comprising a linear caliper (138, 140) and a flexible membrane (128) is applied to the uterine cervix (126) and is loaded by a constant closing force generated by a hydraulic piston mechanism (144). The flexible membrane (128) assumes the contour of the opening of the uterine cervix (126), a fiber-optic sensor (130) on the probe (100) measures the curvature of the membrane (128), and a processor (104) calculates the degree of cervical effacement from the displacement data. The caliper closing force is transiently altered, and the resultant caliper arm displacement value is compared with a baseline displacement value so as to calculate a descriptor of cervical consistency. Cervical dilation, effacement and consistency data is displayed in real time, and compared with stored normal values.
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