Abstract: Ovarian autoimmunity is implicated in ovarian dysfunction associated with premature ovarian failure (POF) and unexplained infertility. A rapid, quantitative, and inexpensive method of clinical diagnosis of ovarian autoimmunity is provided. Diagnosis is provided by detection of autoantibodies that react with an ovarian antigen, 17 -alpha-hydroxylase. This diagnostic method is applicable to ovarian autoimmunity unassociated with polyglandular disease.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the status of a current ovulation cycle of an individual human female subject, involving testing of the body fluid concentration of an analyte of significance in relation to the status of the ovulation cycle, such as urinary E3G, during at least part of the pre-ovulation phase of the current ovulation cycle of the individual subject, and identification from the results of such testing an analyte concentration change indicative of imminent ovulation, relative to an analyte concentration reference value that has been adapted to the individual human subject on the basis of analyte concentration test data obtained from the individual human subject during one or more previous ovulation cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring, predicting and detecting ovulation during the menstrual cycle of a female subject is based upon daily changes in frequency of an oscillator circuit when a capacitive oral sensor is placed in contact with the subject's saliva. An oral sensor that forms a component in the oscillator circuit contained in a hand-held, portable device includes a pre-programmed integrated circuit device with data processing and control capacities, data storage and display means for measuring, recording and processing historical baseline data and relative frequency changes within the subject's current menstrual cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for judging a recovery of physical condition of a puerperal woman, wherein a bioelectric characteristic of the puerperal woman is measured and a value thereof is stored, and the recovery of her physical condition is judged based on the variation thereof. Further, the bioelectric characteristic of the woman in non-pregnancy period or at an early stage of her pregnancy period and the bioelectric characteristic of the puerperal woman are measured, and the recovery of her physical condition after delivery is judged based on the comparison between these bioelectric characteristics.

Abstract: A forecasting system takes advantage of an E-mail system of the internet to forecast different days of a following menstruation period of a woman via different terminals, such as a mobile telephone which supports WAP and a personal computer which is capable of connecting with the internet. The working of the forecasting system includes entering via a terminal relative information of menstruation of a woman, establishing a data base in a data server of the internet depending on the entered information, calculating an ovulation day, impregnable days, starting and ending days of a following menstrual flow of the woman, and sending out inquired forecast information to the woman via the different terminals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a decision on the monthly physiological condition of a female body, such as ovulation and PMS, an apparatus which makes such decision, and an apparatus which produces some data for such decision. To enable such decision to be made, the bioelectric impedance of the female body is determined periodically to provide a historical record of bioelectric impedance representing how it has been varying; and a required decision is made by comparing the present bioelectric impedance with the historical record of bioelectric impedance or the historical record of bioelectric impedance is displayed, representing how it has been varying.

Abstract: A method of providing warning of the onset of the fertile phase of the human ovulation cycle, involving measurement in absolute or relative terms of the body fluid concentration of an analyte such as estradiol or a metabolite thereof wherein if in the current cycle a concentration measurement conducted at about the termination of menses reveals a body fluid concentration that is typical of that found in the body fluid of an average human female subject about 3 days prior to the time of ovulation during a 28-day cycle, the current cycle is immediately declared to be in its fertile phase. Where the a analyte is E3G, the E3G concentration measurement is conducted on at least one or numerical days 4 to 7 of the current cycle, counting from the onset of menses, and the fertile phase is declared immediately if the E3G measurement reveals a concentration equal to or greater than a threshold concentration chosen in the range of about 25 to about 35 ng/ml.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved weighing scale for determining a most appropriate antenatal weight of a pregnant woman for each number of the weeks since conception on the basis of the “antenatal weight-to-week” relationship identified in terms of the BMI of the pregnant woman, which index is determined from the height and progestational weight of the pregnant woman, and for making a comparison between the so determined most appropriate antenatal weight and the weight of the pregnant woman measured each week.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for making a decision of possibility of pregnancy in terms of how the values of bioelectrical impedance vary after expiration of a certain length of time since the ovulation day.

Abstract: Disclosed is a female physical condition managing apparatus comprising: a bioelectrical impedance-meter for determining BI values; a memory for storing the so determined BI values; a decision-making unit for making a decision about the monthly physical condition of a woman on the basis of the time series analysis of the variation of the BI values; and a display showing the so made decision on the monthly physical condition of the woman and a BI transition symbolic curve. This permits women to realize quickly what stage has been reached in the monthly physical condition. Presentation of measurement in the display is so dynamic that the viewer may not feel bored while the measurement is being made.

Abstract: Improvements in a diagnostic system for determining and/or monitoring a physiological condition in a female mammal are disclosed.

Abstract: A patch assembly having pre-applied pressure sensitive adhesive for semipermanent attachment to a live animal is described. This assembly permits the easy and clean attachment thereof to live animal. Further, the assembly prevents skin irritations while maintaining superior bond strength and, in turn, remaining intact and attached to the animal for extended periods of time. The invention may be used, for example, for device attachment to human and non-human animals.

Abstract: A support for a casing containing a detector for detecting estrus in cows. The support comprises a natural fiber patch having a surface area in the range from approximately 0.04 m2 to approximately 0.06 m2 which supports a substantially rectangular case which receives the detector and is placed substantially at the center of the patch. The detector for detecting estrus in cows is housed in a casing supported by the support. The support comprises a baseplate capped by a cover.

Abstract: An isolated and purified glycoprotein designated PUP-1 and functional analogs thereof are disclosed and characterized by being a progesterone induced and estradiol inhibited secretory glycoprotein from stromal cells of endometrial origin; having an N-terminal amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No:1; having a molecular weight of 70,000 daltons and an isoelectric point of 5.7; and synthesized by endometrium at the time of fertilization, early embryogenesis, and implantation. The present invention further provides a method of determining endometrial receptivity, monitoring placental physiology during gestation, and monitoring the effects of protocols to induce ovarian hyperstimulation or ovulation induction on uterine receptivity by monitoring the cyclic presence of PUP-1 in bodily fluid and tissue samples.

Abstract: There is provided a moveable cart for use in transporting an animal, as a male hog, past one or more rows of cages containing sows to permit the determination of estrus in the sows and also to increase the success rate during artificial insemination by permitting snout to snout contact between the sow and male hog, the cart having a base with wheels mounted thereon, at least one wall extending upwardly from the base, and at least one panel for blocking visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of the cart and at least one opening in the wall sized to permit the head of an animal to least partially extend therethrough.

Abstract: In a system for identifying a plurality of cattle bred on a livestock farm and detecting an estrus state thereof, an apparatus for detecting and identifying any one of cows in the estrus state, comprising a switch mounted on a caudal part of a corresponding one of the cows in such a manner that it can be operated when a different one of the cows mounts the corresponding cow, an encoder for generating an inherent identification code with respect to the corresponding cow in response to the operation of the switch, a radio transmitter/receiver circuit for transmitting the inherent identification code from the encoder externally by radio and receiving an external identification code by radio, a decoder for decoding the external identification code received by the radio transmitter/receiver circuit to detect an identification code value therefrom, a comparator for comparing the identification code value from the decoder with a prestored identification code value of the corresponding cow to determine whether the tw

Abstract: A method of monitoring the status of a current ovulation cycle of an individual human female subject, involving testing of the body fluid concentration of an analyte of significance in relation to the status of the ovulation cycle, such as urinary E3G, during at least part of the pre-ovulation phase of the current ovulation cycle of the individual subject, and identification from the results of such testing an analyte concentration change indicative of imminent ovulation, relative to an analyte concentration reference value that has been adapted to the individual human subject on the basis of analyte concentration test data obtained from the individual human subject during one or more previous ovulation cycles.

Abstract: There is provided a moveable cart for use in transporting a male hog past one or more rows of cages containing sows to permit the determination of estrus in the sows and also to increase the success rate during artificial insemination by permitting snout to snout contact between the sow and male hog, the cart having a base with wheels mounted thereon, at least one wall extending upwardly from the base, and at least one panel for blocking visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of the cart and at least one opening in the wall sized to permit the snout of the male hog to at least partially extend therethrough.

Abstract: An ovulation period detecting apparatus for mammals is provided comprising: a bar-shaped detecting unit to be inserted in the vagina of a mammal; electrodes arranged on the bar-shaped detecting unit so as to be in contact with the vaginal mucous membrane when the bar-shaped detecting unit is inserted in the vagina of the mammal; pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure at which the electrodes are pressed against the vagina of the mammal; impedance detecting means for applying a voltage across the electrodes and detecting the value of impedance between the electrodes when the pressure detecting means detect a pressure equal to or greater than a prescribed pressure over a prescribed time; and data outputting means for outputting the value of the impedance detected by the impedance detecting means.

Abstract: A quantitative process for monitoring female fertility cycle wherein the process involves directing a laser beam, preferably generated by a diode laser, onto an area of a slide containing an air-dried sample of a female body fluid. The diffraction pattern resulting from the sample is detected by a two-dimensional photo diode array and analyzed by a microprocessor. If a ferning pattern exists, such pattern will generate a characteristic structure in the diffraction pattern which is then detected by the photo diode array. If no ferning occurs, the corresponding diffraction pattern will be structureless. The microprocessor is programmed with an algorithm to produce a quantitative index of ferning indicating quantitatively the ferning level. Preferably, a plurality of spots on the sample are measured to determine the ferning level at each spot, and the microprocessor then makes a final determination as to final ferning level on the basis of the test results of all of the spots.

Abstract: Devices for detecting hydration of cervical mucus (which is indicative of the course of a female's reproductive cycle) include a detector having a light source, a photoreceptor and a light guide positioned so as to guide light from the light source to the photoreceptor. The light guide includes at least one active surface to be wetted by the cervical mucus. The detector may be planar or curvelinear and may be embedded within a distal sensing head or extend upright therefrom (e.g., so as to somewhat penetrate the external cervical os during use). Most preferably, the light guide is fabricated from a fluorocarbon polymer. For use in vivo, the device will preferably include a proximal handle which allows the user to manipulate the distal sensing head into close proximity to the external cervical os. The handle may include a source of electrical power (e.g.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring saliva viscoelasticity to determine a woman's fertile period comprised of a sheath, a cap, and an escapement. The includes a barrel with a pair of elongated slots, a piston within the barrel with protrusion that extend into and beyond the slots, and a sleeve over the barrel with a pair of spiral groove into which the protrusions fit. As the sleeve rotates about the barrel, the grooves spiral up or down, causing the piston to move axially within the barrel. A central cavity within the barrel includes a constricted throat near the top end. The escapement is a U-shaped strip of plastic that fits into the cavity and attaches at its cross portion to the piston. The ends of the escapement arms have mating surfaces that are roughened so that the saliva sample will fracture before it separates from the surfaces. As the escapement is pulled into the cavity, the throat operates to press the mating surfaces together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive method and device for detecting hormonal changes in humans by monitoring and detecting changes in psycho-acoustic sensitivity of humans. In particular, the onset of ovulation in a female, preceded by a sudden increase in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the blood stream, is predicted by measuring various psycho-acoustic responses of the female in certain frequency ranges. The measured psycho-acoustic responses include monaural and binaural audio interpretation.

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: An apparatus for use in measuring the properties of endogenous fluids during a medical examination. The apparatus includes a protective clothing article which is able to be used during the medical examination, as well as a diagnostic strip which is able to measure the pH of the endogenous fluid during the examination. In addition, the apparatus also includes a two-sided adhesive strip which is able to secure the diagnostic strip to a portion of the protective clothing article.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicating device for menstruation that is easy to utilize, fast and accurate in measuring temperatures. It comprises: a temperature measuring sensor to measure basal body temperatures of a user and output the measured values; a parameter-inputting means for inputting user-inputting parameters; a microprocessor for storing the basal body temperatures from the temperature measuring sensor, and storing the user-inputting parameters from the parameter-inputting means, then using a mathematical method to estimate the user's monthly gynecophysiological factors in accordance with the basal body temperatures and the user-inputting parameters; and a display means to display the user's monthly gynecophysiological factors estimated by the microprocessor. The indicating device for menstruation uses a mathematical method including weighting coefficients to estimate a user's monthly gynecophysiological factors more accurately.

Abstract: The entrance to and walls of a woman's vaginal tract are normally in a constricted state. The fact that air cannot readily enter the vagina and circulate within is at the root of or complicates the treatment of many, common female diseases. For example, many of the disease organisms which attack the vagina are anaerobic which means they cannot thrive or survive in oxygen. Studies show that most die almost at once if exposed to air. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to insert a highly porous, cylindrical device into the vagina in order to expand the vaginal opening and canal within. After air is allowed to freely enter the vaginal canal, anaerobic organisms are rapidly destroyed.

Abstract: A maternal blood pressure measuring method including the steps of periodically initiating a maternal blood pressure measurement, sensing uterine activity, preventing the initiation or continuation of a blood pressure measurement during uterine contraction, initiating a blood pressure measurement upon the cessation of uterine contractions and a processor programmed to perform these functions.

Abstract: Novel methods for delivering a drug to a patient while preventing the exposure of a foetus or other contraindicated individual to the drug. Embodiments are provided in which the involved prescribers, pharmacies and patients are registered in one or more computer databases. Embodiments are also provided in which registered patients receive counseling information concerning the risks attendant to foetal exposure to the drug. Male patients and female patients who are not pregnant may, in certain circumstances, receive the drug.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus of determining a biorhythmic using a processor-based system. The apparatus comprises a housing and a control panel enclosed within the housing that has a plurality of function keys for entering information related to a biorhythmic cycle. The apparatus further comprises a memory that stores instruction sequences and a processor coupled to the memory, for executing the stored instruction sequences. The stored instruction sequences cause the processor to: to compute a period of a month corresponding to a biorhythmic cycle in progress and to compute a corresponding period for a predetermined number of following months. A display is coupled to the processor, the memory and the control panel. The display displays a calendar showing days in the period of the month, each day being marked to indicate the biorhythmic cycle in progress. The display is scrollable to display the corresponding period for the predetermined number of following months.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and displaying fetal development data during pregnancy which allows a user to instantly view the current status of fetal development based on user defined pregnancy reference data. Pregnancy reference data, including a pregnancy reference date such as the expected due date, is entered by the user and stored in a storage device. Thereafter, whenever the user requests the information concerning the fetus, the apparatus estimates the current status of fetal development using the pregnancy reference data and a look-up table containing various parameters. The apparatus then provides a convenient display of the current status of fetal development. The display may be in the form of current gestation measurements or expected current fetal measurements, such as the expected size and weight of the fetus.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fertility status in a female mammal comprising the steps of placing in the vagina of the female a probe having opposed electrodes, orienting the probe so that at least one of the electrodes is touching the cervix of the female, measuring across the electrodes at least one physical parameter indicative of the phase of the female fertility cycle, and comparing the value of the parameter with a reference; a probe useful in practicing this method comprises an elongated body having an insertion end, two electrodes attached to said body at the insertion end, and orienting means for orienting the body so that at least one of the electrodes touches the cervix of the female.

Abstract: The fertile period in a female can be detected by monitoring the calcium and magnesium concentrations in unstimulated saliva. In the three to five day period immediately prior to ovulation, the calcium and magnesium concentrations of saliva drop. This concentration monitoring can be done by any conventional means for quantitatively assaying calcium or magnesium, such as by flow through tests, test strips, cards, charts, probes, meters, and the like.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the time and number of times each cow in a herd is mounted for purposes of determining the most successful time to artificially inseminate cows. The system employs a single hand held receiving unit for remotely communicating with multiple individual recording units secured to the backs of the cattle. The receiving unit can remotely and selectively reset counters contained within the recording units and can remotely and selectively poll the recording units to obtain data on mounting activity for each cow. The data can be viewed on a display provided on the receiving unit or can be downloaded to a computer via a computer port provided on the receiving unit. The recording unit employs a unique switch for sensing mounting activity.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring saliva viscoelasticity to determine a woman's fertile period comprised of a sheath, a cap, and an escapement. The instrument includes a barrel with a pair of elongated slots, a piston within the barrel with protrusion that extend into and beyond the slots, and a sleeve over the barrel with a pair of spiral groove into which the protrusions fit. As the sleeve rotates about the barrel, the grooves spiral up or down, causing the piston to move axially within the barrel. A central cavity within the barrel includes a constricted throat near the top end. The escapement is a U-shaped strip of plastic that fits into the cavity and attaches at its cross portion to the piston. The ends of the escapement arms have mating surfaces that are roughened so that the saliva sample will fracture before it separates from the surfaces. As the escapement is pulled into the cavity, the throat operates to press the mating surfaces together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating when a female stock animal has been ridden or mounted by another stock animal comprises providing indicator means which is mounted on a female animal to be monitored. The apparatus is directly engaged by the other stock animal during riding or mounting and pressure applied to a smoothly curved actuator causes release of a signalling element to provide a visually observable signal. The device is re-setable by simple manual intervention and can be transferred to another animal after use.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus of predicting fertility using a processor-based system. The apparatus comprises a housing and a control panel enclosed within the housing that has a plurality of function keys for entering information related to a fertility cycle. The apparatus further comprises a memory that stores instruction sequences and a processor coupled to the memory, for executing the stored instruction sequences.

Abstract: A pair of components for an instrument for determining the female fertile period by measuring the viscoelasticity of saliva that includes a pair of strata composed of a rigid material, preferably glass or a polymer, and a surface on each strata, where the surface has a random distribution of peaks and valleys, the average depth from the peaks to the valleys is in the range of from about 10 picometers to about 100 micrometers, and the total area of the valley walls below one half of the average depth is from 35% to 65% of the total area of the surface. Preferably, the average depth of the valleys is in the range of 50 micrometers to 80 micrometers and the total area of the valleys below one half of the average depth is between 45% and 55% of the total area of the surface.

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.