Abstract: An intravaginal anchoring device for mammalian females comprises an elongated tubular body provided with a plurality of slots disposed substantially parallel to each other and to the length of the tubular body such that, in an expanded position, the ends of the body are moved towards each other and flange portions of the body between adjacent pairs of slots are distended away from an axis of the body and, in a collapsed position, the ends of the body are moved away from each other and the flange portions are retracted towards the axis. The device further comprises a biasing means for urging the body into the expanded position. A purpose of the anchor is to contain any payload appropriate to the interior of a female mammal's vagina.

Abstract: A system for detecting the onset of parturition by a mammalian female comprises an anchor, a temperature sensing means affixed to the anchor, and an alarm means, wherein the anchor has a diameter that is smaller than an interior diameter of a posterior portion of the female's vagina at the onset of parturition but greater than the interior diameter prior to the onset of parturition, and smaller than an interior diameter of an anterior portion of the female's vagina before and at the onset of parturition, such diameters being a function of muscular activity, such that the anchor is retained in the anterior portion for a period prior to the onset of parturition and expulsed at the onset of parturition, and wherein the sensing means senses a temperature differential at the location of the anchor before and after expulsion and actuates the alarm means.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of an intravaginal article into a mammalian female comprises a sleeve, a tube movably received within the sleeve, and a plunger adapted to release an intravaginal article from the tube. An anterior portion of the sleeve is adapted to be inserted within a segment of the reproductive tract of the female that is adjacent to the vulva and an anterior portion of the tube is adapted to be inserted within the tract to a point deeper than the segment, such that contaminants in the segment are not carried to the deeper point by the tube. A method for inserting an intravaginal article is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for remotely detecting and monitoring on a long term basis the deep body temperature of a mammalian female which comprises the steps of attaching a temperature-sensing probe capable of remote interrogation to an expandable anchor, implanting the probe with the anchor attached thereto in collapsed condition within the vaginal canal, expanding the anchor to maintain the probe in place despite the animal's muscular efforts to expel same, interrogating the probe from a remote location on a daily basis at approximately the same time each day for a period not less than one complete estrous cycle, and noting any abrupt change in temperature within each cycle as an indication of physiological stress.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved device for intravaginal implantation in mammalian females characterized by an axially-extending hub encircled at both ends by a plurality of radially-extending springable spine-like fingers defining multi-pointed stars, the two stars being so located relative to one another and to the hub linking them together that no portion of the hub is left accessible to the vaginal wall musculature to a degree which will allow contortions thereof to expel the device while, at the same time, leaving sufficient hub exposed between the stars to receive and hold a small object no longer than it is nested within the fingers in protected relation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved device for intravaginal implantation in mammalian females characterized by an axially-extending hub encircled at both ends by a plurality of radially-extending springable spine-like fingers defining multi-pointed stars, the two stars being so located relative to one another and to the hub linking them together that no portion of the hub is left accessible to the vaginal wall musculature to a degree which will allow contortions thereof to expel the device while, at the same time, leaving sufficient hub exposed between the stars to receive and hold a small object no longer than it is nested within the fingers in protected relation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for remotely detecting and monitoring on a long term basis the deep body temperature of a mammalian female which comprises the steps of attaching a temperature-sensing probe capable of remote interrogation to an expandable anchor, implanting the probe with the anchor attached thereto in collapsed condition within the vaginal canal, expanding the anchor to maintain the probe in place despite the animal's muscular efforts to expel same, interrogating the probe from a remote location on a daily basis at approximately the same time each day for a period not less than one complete estrous cycle, and noting any abrupt change in temperature within each cycle as an indication of physiological stress.