Method of detecting and predicting ovulation and the period of fertility

Abstract

Methods of detecting and predicting ovulation and a period of fertility include determining a series of measures indicative of the basal body temperature of a female human user to identify a temperature change event. The method includes obtaining, within a first 24 hour period, a plurality of first readings of the temperature of the female human user at intervals over a first extended period of at least an hour. The plurality of first readings are then processed to determine at least one first representative temperature reading representative of the basal body temperature of the user for the first extended period and the at least one first representative temperature reading is stored. The method is repeated for at least second and third 24 hour periods and the representative temperature readings are provided for analysis to identify a temperature change event for the female human user.

1 . A temperature sensing system comprising:
 a wearable, removable temperature sensor being arranged to be worn by a female human user for sensing her temperature to obtain a plurality of temperature readings during each of multiple extended periods, wherein at least 10 extended periods comprises a cycle, the plurality of temperature readings being associated with a code for uniquely identifying the user, the wearable, removable temperature sensor comprising a memory configured for storing the plurality of temperature readings obtained during at least one extended period and a first interface for transmitting the temperature readings or information derived therefrom;   a user terminal comprising a first interface for receiving the temperature readings or information derived therefrom from the wearable, removable temperature sensor and a second interface comprising an internet, wireless radio or telecommunications interface, for transmitting temperature readings or information derived therefrom to a remote server together with the associated unique code to be analyzed in conjunction with data from the user from multiple previous cycles to determine a pattern indicative or predictive of ovulation for the female human user, the user terminal further comprising a display screen configured for indicating to the female human user a window of fertility or an indication of anovulation based on the pattern indicative or predictive of ovulation;   a remote server comprising a communications interface for receiving the temperature readings or information derived therefrom together with the associated unique code, a processor and a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium being configured to enable storage of data for multiple cycles for multiple users and having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to analyse the temperature readings or information derived therefrom, the analysis comprising:
 extracting from the transmitted temperature readings or information derived therefrom the code for uniquely identifying the female human user; 
 based on the code, retrieving information relating to previously recorded cycles for the female human user; 
 determining a historical ovulation pattern specific to the female human user based on the retrieved information; 
 comparing the transmitted temperature readings against the historical ovulation pattern specific to the female human user to determine a pattern indicative or predictive of ovulation for the female human user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein the wearable, removable temperature sensor comprises an intravaginal temperature measuring device. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein the communications interface of the remote server comprises a telephone connection, a wireless connection or an internet protocol connection. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein an extended period comprises at least a portion of an ovulatory cycle. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein either the remote sever or the user terminal comprises a processor for identifying temperature readings having one or more characteristics of faulty or irrelevant data and either deleting said readings or labelling them to be subsequently disregarded; and for obtaining one or several representative temperature values for each extended period. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 5  wherein the remote server comprises a processor for analysing the representative temperature values obtained over multiple extended periods for one or more patterns in the representative temperature values indicative or predictive of ovulation and thereby provide information relevant to the fertility of the female mammal to a computer file server for later retrieval by a user. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein the processor of the remote server further comprises instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide information relevant to the fertility of the female mammal to the user. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 7  wherein said information relevant to the fertility of the female mammal is an indication of the timing of the next fertile period. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein said extended period comprises a period of at least 4 hours. 
     
     
         10 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein at least 25 temperature readings are taken in said extended period. 
     
     
         11 . The temperature sensing system according to  claim 1  wherein the pattern indicative or predictive of ovulation is the dip in body temperature associated with a rise in oestradiol.