Cervical dilation meter

Abstract

An instrument for measuring cervical dilation can have a pair of arms connected at their proximal ends to an arm pivot or articulating member, the arms being in movable communication with a gauge assembly for measuring the relative distance between the arms at a fixed location near the proximal ends of the arms. The arms can be disposed to apply an outward lateral pressure against the walls of the cervix, thereby engaging the cervix without the need for physical penetration, gripping, or other attachment of the device to the cervical tissue. Continuous outward lateral pressure of the arms against the cervical walls can allow the arms to expand in response to and in concert with expansion and dilation of the cervix. The relative distance between the arms correlates to the diameter of the cervix, such that the correlated measurement indicated on a scale of the gauge means is the measurement of cervical dilation.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 first and second arms, comprising respective proximal and distal portions, the proximal portions coupled together, the distal portions comprising respective first and second cervical segments configured to be received within a cervix,   the first and second cervical segments configured to hold the apparatus in position, while measuring cervical dilation, without physical penetration, attachment or gripping of the cervix; and   a cervical dilation communication assembly, communicatively coupled to at least one of the first and second arms to receive information about the cervical dilation, the communication assembly comprising an external indicator to provide an indication of the cervical dilation to a user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second feet movably connected to respective first and second cervical segments, the first and second feet extending beyond the cervix and into a uterus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second feet are movable through a flexible joint. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second feet are biased to flex outwardly, at respective angles, with respect to an apparatus insertion axis. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second feet are biased to flex outwardly by a shape memory property of at least one of the respective first and second cervical segments or the respective first and second feet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member, configured to provide a force that is coupled to the first and second arms to bias the first and second arms away from each other. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the force is provided by a shape memory property of the biasing member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portions of the first and second arms further comprise respective first and second vaginal segments configured to be received within a vagina. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the respective first and second cervical segments are respectively configured to flex, at respective angles, with respect to the respective first and second vaginal segments, in a plane formed by the first and second vaginal segments. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein first and second feet, movably connected to respective first and second cervical segments, are configured to flex upwardly with respect to the plane formed by the respective first and second vaginal segments. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portions of the first and second arms are coupled through a rotational pivot joint, and further comprising a biasing member, coupled to the first and second arms to exert an outward force to bias the first and second arms apart. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the outward force is provided by a shape memory property of the biasing member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of at least one of the first and second arms includes a sensor. 
     
     
         14 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the communication assembly is configured such that a distance between the first and second feet is correlative to the cervical dilation. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication assembly is configured such that a distance between a position on the first cervical segment and a position on the second cervical segment is correlative to the cervical dilation. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the communication assembly is configured such that a distance between a position on the first vaginal segment and a position on the second vaginal segment is correlative to the cervical dilation. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 inserting first and second arms of a cervical dilation measuring apparatus into a cervix such that respective distal portions of the first and second arms exert enough of an outward force against opposing lateral walls of the cervix to hold the apparatus in position, while measuring cervical dilation, without physical penetration, attachment or gripping of the cervix;   communicating information about the cervical dilation to an external location; and   providing an external indicator of the cervical dilation to a user, using the information.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein inserting the first and second arms into the cervix, while measuring cervical dilation, without physical penetration, attachment or gripping of the cervix, includes inserting first and second feet, attached to the first and second arms, beyond an internal os of the cervix and into a uterus. 
     
     
         23 . A method comprising:
 inserting first and second arms of a cervical dilation measuring apparatus into a cervix such that respective first and second feet of the first and second arms outwardly flex with respect to an axis of the cervix to hold the apparatus in position, while measuring cervical dilation, without physical penetration, attachment or gripping of the cervix;   communicating information about the cervical dilation to an external location; and   providing an external indicator of the cervical dilation to a user, using the information.   
     
     
         24 .- 30 . (canceled)