Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting an onset of true labor in a pregnant mammal. In accordance with a method of this invention the following steps are executed: (a) detected electrical signals from a succession of muscular contractions associated with labor; (b) determining an average frequency of the electrical signals for each contraction; (c) determining a discriminant (.delta.) from the determined average frequency for each contraction so as to provide a set of discriminants, individual ones of the set of discriminants being associated with an individual one of the contractions; and (d) indicating a beginning of true labor when a slope of at least two discriminants of the set of discriminants exceeds a first threshold value and when a magnitude of a last determined discriminant exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting an onset of true labor in a pregnant mammal. In accordance with a method of this invention the following steps are executed: (a) detected electrical signals from a succession of muscular contractions associated with labor; (b) determining a spectral content of the electrical signals for each contraction; (c) determining a discriminant (.delta.) from the determined spectral content for each contraction so as to provide a set of discriminants, individual ones of the set of discriminants being associated with an individual one of the contractions; and (d) indicating a beginning of true labor when a slope of at least two discriminants of the set of discriminants exceeds a first threshold value and when a magnitude of a last determined discriminant exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the electromyographic detection of electrical fields inherent in muscular activity, for the diagnosis of labor in a pregnant mammal. The apparatus includes a system (10) for determining a periodicity, and for measuring a magnitude and a direction of movement, of the electrical signal in an abdominal region, and for processing the signal to indicate normal and abnormal labor conditions, the onset of true labor, and the extent of cervical dilation. A Labor Onset processor (16e) determines the onset of true labor. A Vector Determination processor (16b) determines a uterine contraction vector having a propagation rate component and a direction component, relative to a plurality of measurement electrodes. The positions of the measurement electrodes are referenced to a coordinate system and are specified to the system through a data entry device (20).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the electromyographic detection of electrical fields inherent in muscular activity, for the diagnosis of labor in a pregnant mammal. The apparatus includes a system (10) for determining a periodicity, and for measuring a magnitude and a direction of movement, of the electrical signal in an abdominal region, and for processing the signal to indicate normal and abnormal labor conditions, the onset of true labor, and the extent of cervical dilation. A Labor Onset processor (16e) determines the onset of true labor. A Vector Determination processor (16b) determines a uterine contraction vector having a propagation rate component and a direction component, relative to a plurality of measurement electrodes. The positions of the measurement electrodes are referenced to a coordinate system and are specified to the system through a data entry device (20).