Abstract: The invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting or preventing preterm birth, inhibiting or delaying cervical ripening, inhibiting myometrial contractility and treating or inhibiting uterine contractility disorders. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a composition comprising steroid hormones such as soluble progesterone.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting or preventing preterm birth, inhibiting or delaying cervical ripening, inhibiting myometrial contractility and treating or inhibiting uterine contractility disorders. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a composition comprising steroid hormones such as soluble progesterone.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for transitioning between different drug delivery sources or different drug concentrations may account for diffusion and mixing of drug within the fluid. In one example, a method may include determining a flow rate for a fluid to be delivered to a patient via a drug pump and a catheter in fluid communication with a reservoir of the drug pump. The fluid includes a drug. The method also includes determining a concentration profile of the drug delivered via the catheter, wherein the concentration profile identifies a volume of delivered fluid needed to achieve a target transition dose of the drug. The method further includes determining, by a processor and based on the flow rate and the concentration profile, an initial delivery period required to achieve the target transition dose by delivering the fluid at the flow rate.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for transitioning between different drug delivery sources or different drug concentrations may account for diffusion and mixing of drug within the fluid. In one example, a method may include determining a flow rate for a fluid to be delivered to a patient via a drug pump and a catheter in fluid communication with a reservoir of the drug pump. The fluid includes a drug. The method also includes determining a concentration profile of the drug delivered via the catheter, wherein the concentration profile identifies a volume of delivered fluid needed to achieve a target transition dose of the drug. The method further includes determining, by a processor and based on the flow rate and the concentration profile, an initial delivery period required to achieve the target transition dose by delivering the fluid at the flow rate.

Abstract: A method operable to more accurately monitor the state and function of the cervix is provided. Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to detection of fluorescence from the female mammalian cervix. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to predicting true term and preterm labor and delivery, characterizing the function and state of the cervix, and for assessing and monitoring the efficacy of treatments for the cervix. Embodiments of the present disclosure use light induced fluorescence (LIF) via a non-invasive optical probe to accurately and quantitatively measure changes in the cervical tissue during pregnancy and labor. As gestational age increases, the LIF decreases. Ideally, cervical collagen should be at a minimum just prior to delivery. The present invention can be used to monitor the state and function of the cervix during pregnancy, as well as efficacy of cervical treatments during pregnancy.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring and processing abdominal EMG signals from a maternal patient to indicate when a maternal patient should push to progress the labor toward delivery. Raw abdominal EMG signals are acquired and processed in a central unit designed to isolate the patient and any internal circuitry from electrical shock. The central unit has a circuit board that amplifies and filters the EMG signal, then transmits the signal to an A/D converter, after which the digitized signal is transmitted to a computer for further processing and subsequent display of a signal representative of abdominal activity. The system may also acquire and process uterine EMG signals that can be evaluated in conjunction with the abdominal EMG signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting or preventing preterm birth, inhibiting or delaying cervical ripening, inhibiting myometrial contractility and treating or inhibiting uterine contractility disorders. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a composition comprising steroid hormones such as soluble progesterone.

Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and transmitting uterine EMG signals is disclosed, where a signal processing module processes incoming uterine EMG signals from a patient and wirelessly transmits a processed signal to an information relaying device. The information relaying device is then configured to download the processed signal and transmit the signal to a call center or health care facility for physician evaluation. The system is ambulatory, thus allowing the patient to record and transmit uterine EMG signals anywhere a satisfactory transmission may be made.

Abstract: A method and system to examine and measure the propagation velocity of electrical activity in pregnant patients, labor and non-labor patients at term and preterm, and non-pregnant patients, thereby providing valuable information regarding the state of a patient's uterus. The method can include obtaining uterine EMG signals from a series electrodes, processing the raw uterine EMG signal in a signal processing module and assessing the temporal interval between adjacent electrodes. The propagation velocity can then be estimated by averaging the time required for the uterine EMG signal to traverse a distance between adjacent electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring and processing abdominal EMG signals from a maternal patient to indicate when a maternal patient should push to progress the labor toward delivery. Raw abdominal EMG signals are acquired and processed in a central unit designed to isolate the patient and any internal circuitry from electrical shock. The central unit has a circuit board that amplifies and filters the EMG signal, then transmits the signal to an A/D converter, after which the digitized signal is transmitted to a computer for further processing and subsequent display of a signal representative of abdominal activity. The system may also acquire and process uterine EMG signals that can be evaluated in conjunction with the abdominal EMG signals.

Abstract: A method operable to more accurately predict true preterm labor and delivery is provided. Trans-abdominal uterine electromyography (EMG) and power spectrum (PS) analysis can identify electrical signals characteristic of labor at term and preterm with relatively high positive and negative predictive values. The use of propagation velocity (PV) of uterine EMG signals may either be done independently or in conjunction with PS analysis. This method involves applying at least two pairs of electrodes to a maternal abdomen. The time associated with measuring a voltage spike of a propagating myometrial wave traveling through the pairs of electrodes allows the amount of time required for the propagating myometrial wave to transverse the distance between electrodes to be determined. With this information a propagation velocity (PV) of the propagating myometrial wave may be determined. This PV may be compared to a labor positive predictive value (PPV).

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: The existence of gap junctions between cells is detected by stimulating the cells with electrical pulses having selective parameters and then detecting propagated signals emitted by the cells. A needle is provided having stimulation electrodes thereon from which the stimulating pulses emanate and an array of recording electrodes for detecting the pulses. In an alternative embodiment, an array of piezoelectric electrodes is distributed within the array of recording electrodes. The signals detected by the recording electrodes and piezoelectric electrodes are monitored by a recording device and stored within a computer.

Abstract: The existence of gap junctions between cells is detected by stimulating the cells with electrical pulses having selective parameters and then detecting propagated signals emitted by the cells. A needle is provided having stimulation electrodes thereon from which the stimulating pulses emanate and an array of recording electrodes for detecting the pulses. In an alternative embodiment, an array of piezoelectric electrodes is distributed within the array of recording electrodes. The signals detected by the recording electrodes and piezoelectric electrodes are monitored by a recording device and stored within a computer.