| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method and an assembly (10) for detecting dilation of a cervix (74) of a pregnant female (78) at the onset of labor. The assembly (10) includes a ring-shaped element (16) in series with an enclosure (12) which encircles the cervix (74). The enclosure (12) contains a readily detectable fluid or particulate material (14). When the cervix (74) dilates at the onset of labor, the force of dilation is transmitted by the ring-shaped element (16) of the assembly (10) to the enclosure (12) and opens the enclosure (12) causing release of the material (14). The assembly (10) also includes a series of friction tabs (18) to keep the assembly (10) in place on the cervix (74). n The method involves selecting an appropriately sized assembly (10), placing the assembly (10) on the cervix (74) of the pregnant female (78), and detecting the release of the material (14) which signals that labor has begun. |