Importance

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Abstract

A process and apparatus is disclosed for effective home monitoring of uterine contractions of a pregnant woman, in order to provide early warning signs of possible premature birth. Using a transducer of known type, uterine contractions are monitored continuously over a period of time. An electrical signal is generated, which is digitized for processing with simple IC chips. Importantly, only those contractions whose intensity exceeds a threshold value for a duration exceeding a threshold period are stored for future processing and analysis. Analysis of these over-threshold values provides a valuable basis on which to judge the likelihood of premature birth. Limiting the analysis only to such over-threshold values enables the system and equipment to be of a highly simplified, economical construction, suitable for widespread home use yet capable of monitoring over an extended duration. Among other features, if the number of over-threshold (both intensity and duration) exceeds a predetermined value in a given period of time, an alarm signal is given, indicating that the patient's condition should be evaluated by medical specialist.

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First Claim