Abstract: An inflatable system for cervical dilation and labor induction includes a uterine balloon, for positioning at a proximal portion of the uterus, adjacent to the cervical internal os, the uterine balloon being shaped to maximize the pressure against the decidua and the internal cervical os and to minimize the pressure on the fetal head. The inflatable system may have a vaginal balloon, for positioning in the vagina, for applying pressure on the external cervical os. The inflatable system may measure the pressure changes inside the balloon. The inflatable system may have electrodes for measuring the electrical activity of the fetal heart, the maternal heart and the uterine pressure activity and or uterine contractility and or labor progress. The inflatable system may measure cervical dilation, fetal well-being, and the woman's conditions.

Abstract: A placement mechanism for placing a sensor for non invasive measurement of at least one parameter. The placement mechanism comprises a angling unit which angles a sensor in relation to a sensor positioning site on a skin of a target patient in proximity to the ribs while maintaining a front side contact zone of the sensor in contact with the sensor positioning site and an attachment element for attaching the placement mechanism to a body of the target patient so that the front side contact zone being in contact with the sensor positioning site.

Abstract: A placement mechanism for placing a sensor for non invasive measurement of at least one parameter. The placement mechanism comprises a angling unit which angles a sensor in relation to a sensor positioning site on a skin of a target patient in proximity to the ribs while maintaining a front side contact zone of the sensor in contact with the sensor positioning site and an attachment element for attaching the placement mechanism to a body of the target patient so that the front side contact zone being in contact with the sensor positioning site.

Abstract: Non-imaging mode system for acquiring cardiac parameters using Doppler acoustic signals. Some embodiments use only a single transducer, optionally aimed in an apical view. Some embodiments detect specifically peak events in the heart.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a birth process, comprising: receiving, over time, a plurality of position signals from one or more positioning elements or tissue areas located at least one of a cervix and a fetal head; and determining a discrete state of labor of a fetus that is wholly inside a body responsive to said position signals, with a temporal resolution of better than 15 minutes, said discrete state being other than a start or stop of labor and encompassing more than a single contraction, said state including a state other than an abnormal fetal head position.

Abstract: A birth monitoring system (100), comprising a monitor (120) including at least one sensor operative to measure a physiological parameter associated with labor; a posture sensor (130) which generates a signal indicative of posture of a mother (110); and circuitry which generates an output signal dependent on both a measurement of said sensor and a posture measurement of said posture sensor (130).

Abstract: A medical transponder, including an ultrasonic sensor that detects impinging ultrasonic waves and generates electrical signals in response thereto; an electrical connection which receives said signals; and an electromagnetic RF transmitter coupled to said electrical connection and which generates an RF signal in response to said detected waves.

Abstract: A medical transponder, including an ultrasonic sensor that detects impinging ultrasonic waves and generates electrical signals in response thereto; an electrical connection which receives said signals; and an electromagnetic RF transmitter coupled to said electrical connection and which generates an RF signal in response to said detected waves.

Abstract: A probe anchor that attaches a probe to a tissue adjacent a birth canal, comprising: (a) a soft tissue anchor including a release mechanism; (b) a cable sufficiently pliable that it will not harm a fetus during passage through the birth canal coupled at one end thereof to said release mechanism; and (c) a control coupled to an opposite end of said cable and operative to remotely release said release mechanism using said cable without requiring manual stabilization directly to said anchor.

Abstract: A method for depicting the anatomy and quantitative tissue strain of a biological tissue. A spatially resolved, double quantum filtered, nuclear magnetic resonance frequency spectrum is acquired from either .sup.1 H or .sup.2 H nuclei in the tissue. Values in the time domain or frequency domain representations of the free induction decay signal are mapped in 2 spatial dimensions so as to selectively depict histological layers of the tissue anatomy. The residual quadrupolar or dipolar splitting is calculated from the free induction decay signal, and then correlated with a tissue strain value by utilizing a known formula describing the correlation between residual quadrupolar or dipolar splitting and tissue strain. The tissue strain value is then mapped in two spatial dimensions.