Abstract: Systems and methods for applying stimulating current to a patient for treating insufficient uterine contractions are provided. The system includes stimulation electrodes of a balloon electrode array device, a ring electrode array device, an electrode probe device, or a mesh electrode array device. Some aspects of the invention also provide a connector and cable device for coupling the stimulation electrodes to electronics for generating and providing the stimulating current to the stimulation electrodes.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a cervical, fetal-membrane, and amniotic examination and assessment device for use with a computer and a method for examining a cervix with the device. The device can include a probe with a camera and a reference laser system, a cable coupling the probe to the computer, and a device program executable by the computer. One method includes positioning a laser to illuminate a reference dot on a target area of the cervix, calculating a distance between the probe and the cervix using the reference laser system, capturing images of the target area at a desired distance using the camera, identifying features of the cervix, and measuring and quantifying boundaries of the features using the desired distance and an area of the reference dot in the images.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for treating insufficient uterine contractions after labor and delivery. The system includes a control module and a current source controlled by the control module to produce stimulating current at a frequency greater than or equal to about 5.0 Hertz. The system also includes one or more stimulation electrodes to provide the stimulating current to the patient in order for the patient to produce tonic uterine contractions.

Abstract: Pyridinium cationic lipids useful as non-viral gene delivery agents are disclosed. The agents are prepared by reaction of pyrylium salts with primary amines. Also disclosed are methods of trasfectind cells using the pyridinium cationic lipids as gene transfer agents.

Abstract: Pyridinium cationic lipids useful as non-viral gene delivery agents are disclosed. The agents are prepared by reaction of pyrylium salts with primary amines. Also disclosed are methods of trasfectind cells using the pyridinium cationic lipids as gene transfer agents.

Abstract: A simple, biocompatible system and procedure for generating nitric oxide (NO) is described. A mixture of powdered sodium nitrite, ascorbic acid, and maleic acid (or another organic acid of adequate strength) immediately generates nitric oxide (NO) on treatment with water. To slow down the NO generation, one may prepare an ointment from a nonaqueous medium (petrolatum, Vaseline™) and the three powdered ingredients, which on being applied topically on the skin will release NO as water permeates through this medium; alternatively, one may convert the aqueous sodium nitrite solution into a gel with hydroxyethylcellulose (or other gel-forming compound) and combine this gel with another gel obtained from aqueous ascorbic and maleic acids with hydroxyethylcellulose for topical application (on intact skin, burns intra-cavity, burns, intra-cavity, etc.).

Abstract: Preeclampsia and preterm labor in a pregnant female mammal are treated by administering thereto a combination of a progestin and a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in further combination with one or more of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a PGI2-mimetic, a thromboxane (TXA2) inhibitor, a compound possessing TXA2-agonistic and TXA2-inhibiting properties, a compound possessing TXA2-antagonistic and PGI2-memetic activities, and a TXA2 antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and apparatus for recording and analyzing uterine electrical activity, or electromyography (EMG), from the surface of the abdomen, vagina, or cervix of a patient for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus in pregnant and non-pregnant women, as well as for monitoring maternal and fetal ECG and fetal brain activity. The method and apparatus described include methods for the systematic detection, analysis, characterization and communication of information about electrical signals recorded from the abdominal/vaginal/cervical surface. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing the electrical data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize their uterine, abdominal, and cardiac muscle activity, as well as cardiac and brain activity of the fetus simultaneously or separately.

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease, including preeclampsia in pregnant women and hypertension in both women and men, are prevented or treated by administering thereto prostacyclin or a prostacyclin analog in combination with one or both of an estrogen and a progestin, which combination is also useful for HRT in peri- and post-menopausal women.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and apparatus for recording and analyzing uterine electrical activity, or electromyography (EMG), from the surface of the abdomen, vagina, or cervix of a patient for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus in pregnant and non-pregnant women, as well as for monitoring maternal and fetal ECG and fetal brain activity. The method and apparatus described include methods for the systematic detection, analysis, characterization and communication of information about electrical signals recorded from the abdominal/vaginal/cervical surface. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing the electrical data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize their uterine, abdominal, and cardiac muscle activity, as well as cardiac and brain activity of the fetus simultaneously or separately.

Abstract: A method is provided for the improvement of implantation rates and/or pregnancy rates in a female mammal, comprising administering to a female mammal in whom pregnancy is desired an effective amount of

Abstract: Muscle cells and nerves of the uterus and cervix are treated with electrical pulses having selectives parameters in order to stimulate or inhibit contraction thereof. Either a needle or probe is provided having stimulation electrodes thereon from which the treatment pulses emanate. In a further embodiment, patients are simultaneously treated with pharmacological agents in conjuction with the electrical treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for control, management, treatment and prevention of conditions related to nitric oxide deficiency such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia HELLP, syndrome and fetal growth retardation; uterine contractility disorders such as preterm labor and dysmenorrhea, cervical dystocia, infertility and early pregnancy loss; male impotence; urinary incontinence; intestinal tract disorders (e.g. altered motility and pyloric stenosis), respiratory system diseases (e.g. asthma, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and adult respiratory distress syndrome); inflammatory diseases (e.g.

Abstract: The invention describes the regulation of cervical dilatation and extensibility by the use of nitric oxide donors and/or substrates or nitric oxide inhibitors. There can be used either (a) at least one nitric oxide donor and/or substrate for manufacture of a medicament to be administered locally intracervically or intravaginally for induction of cervical ripening or (b) at least one nitric oxide inhibitor for manufacture of a medicament to be administered locally intracervically or intravaginally for treatment of cercvical insufficiency or preterm labor.

Abstract: A simple, biocompatible system and procedure for generating nitric oxide (NO) is described. A mixture of powdered sodium nitrite, ascorbic acid, and maleic acid (or another organic acid of adequate strength) immediately generates nitric oxide (NO) on treatment with water. To slow down the NO generation, one may prepare an ointment from a nonaqueous medium (petrolatum, vaseline) and the three powdered ingredients, which on being applied topically on the skin will release NO as water permeates through this medium; alternatively, one may convert the aqueous sodium nitrite solution into a gel with hydroxyethylcellulose (or other gel-forming compound) and combine this gel with another gel obtained from aqueous ascorbic and maleic acids with hydroxyethylcellulose for topical application (on intact skin, burns, intra-cavity, etc.).

Abstract: A method is provided for the improvement of implantation rates and/or pregnancy rates in a female mammal, comprising administering to a female mammal in whom pregnancy is desired an effective amount of(a) a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor, or both, optionally in combination with(b) a progestin, and,(c) optionally, in further combination with an estrogen.A method is also provided for fertility control for a female mammal, comprising administering to a female mammal in whom pregnancy is not desired and at risk for becoming pregnant an effective amount of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in combination with an antiprogestin. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment and prevention of urinary incontinence in mammals, e.g., human males and females, especially nonpregnant female mammals, by administering a nitric oxide synthase substrate and/or nitric oxide donor, alone or in combination with an estrogenic agent and/or a progestational substance, with or without supplementation with an alpha-adrenergic agonist, beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, cholinergic-receptor blocking compound or a cholinergic-receptor-stimulating drug, as well as pharmaceutical compositions useful in practicing the methods of this invention.

Abstract: Preeclampsia and preterm labor in a pregnant female mammal are treated by administering thereto a combination of a progestin and a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in further combination with one or more of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a PGI.sub.2 -mimetic, a thromboxane (TXA.sub.2) inhibitor, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -agonistic and TXA.sub.2 -inhibiting properties, a compound possessing TXA.sub.2 -antagonistic and PGI.sub.2 -memetic activities, and a TXA.sub.2 antagonist.

Abstract: Dysmenorrhea, disfunctional uterine bleeding, preterm labor and postpartum labor in female mammals are treated by inhibiting uterine contractility by administering thereto a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in combination with one or more of a prostaglandin inhibitor, a prostacyclin-mimetic, a progestin, an oxytocin antagonist or a .beta.-agonist in an amount effective to ameliorate the symptoms thereof; and inadequate menses treated and induction of abortion or stimulation of labor in a pregnant female is achieved by uterine contractility stimulation by administering thereto a nitric oxide inhibitor, either alone or optionally in a combination of progesterone antagonist, an oxytocin or oxytocin analogue antagonist or a prostaglandin.

Abstract: The symptoms of the climacterium are ameliorated by the administration to an afflicted individual one or both of a nitric oxide substrate and/or nitric acid donor, alone or optionally in combination with a progestin or, in the case of a non-pregnant female, either a progestin or an estrogen or both.