Cervimetry control apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation including an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an expandable element coupled to the distal end of the elongate body. An array of movable elements may be disposed circumferentially about the elongate body, where the array of movable elements is movably coupled to the distal end of the elongate body by a plurality of wires. The medical device may further include a measurement mechanism able to determine a radial spacing of the array of movable elements, as well as a dilation indicator in communication with the measurement mechanism. One or more pressure sensors may be coupled to the array of movable elements, whereby a control element is in communication with the pressure sensors. In addition, an inflation source may be included in fluid communication with the expandable element.

1 . A cervimetry device for measuring cervical dilation, comprising:
 an expandable element;   an inflation source in communication with the expandable element; and   a control element for controlling the inflation source and indicating a cervical dilation measurement.   
     
     
         2 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an array of movable elements disposed circumferentially about the expandable element. 
     
     
         3 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one pressure sensor coupled to at least one of the movable elements, the pressure sensor being in communication with the control element. 
     
     
         4 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust valve in fluid communication with the expandable element, wherein the exhaust valve is also in communication with the control element. 
     
     
         5 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control element includes a display. 
     
     
         6 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control element includes a control actuator for receiving input from a user. 
     
     
         7 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control element includes an electronic storage medium. 
     
     
         8 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the expandable element is movably coupled to the distal end of the elongate body, and the control element is coupled to the proximal end of the elongate body. 
     
     
         9 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a distal pad coupled to the distal end of the elongate body. 
     
     
         10 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a distal pressure sensor coupled to the distal pad, wherein the distal pressure sensor is in communication with the control element. 
     
     
         11 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a camera coupled to the distal end of the elongate body, wherein the camera is in communication with the control element. 
     
     
         12 . The cervimetry device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a lighting element coupled to the distal end of the elongate body, wherein the lighting element is in communication with the control element. 
     
     
         13 . A cervimetry device for measuring cervical dilation, comprising:
 an expandable element;   an array of movable elements disposed about the expandable element;   an inflation source in communication with the expandable element;   at least one pressure sensor coupled to at least one of the array of movable elements; and   a control element for controlling the inflation source and indicating a cervical dilation measurement, wherein the control element is in communication with the at least one pressure sensor.   
     
     
         14 . A method for performing a cervical procedure, comprising the steps of:
 providing a cervimetry device including an expandable element, an inflation source in communication with the expandable element, and a control element for controlling the inflation source and indicating a cervical dilation measurement;   positioning the cervimetry device proximate to a cervical tissue region;   operating the inflation source to expand the expandable element and contact the cervical tissue region;   measuring a contact pressure between at least a portion of the cervimetry device and the cervical tissue region; and   terminating operation of the inflation source in response to the measured pressure level.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the cervimetry device further includes an exhaust vale in fluid communication with the expandable element, and further comprising the step of actuating the exhaust valve in response to the measured pressure level. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the cervimetry device further includes an array of movable elements disposed about the expandable element. 
     
     
         17 . A method for performing a cervical procedure, comprising the steps of:
 providing a cervimetry device including an expandable element, an inflation source in communication with the expandable element, and a control element for controlling the inflation source and indicating a cervical dilation measurement;   positioning the cervimetry device proximate to a cervical tissue region;   operating the inflation source to expand the expandable element;   measuring a dimension of the expandable element; and   terminating operation of the inflation source in response to the measured dimension.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the cervimetry device further includes an exhaust vale in fluid communication with the expandable element, and further comprising the step of actuating the exhaust valve in response to the measured pressure level.