Methods and devices for the management of term and preterm labor.

摘要: : In this review, we outline studies showing that the uterus (myometrium) and cervix pass through a conditioning step in preparation for labor. This is not easily identifiable with present methods designed to assess or cervix. uterus, seemingly irreversible consists of changes electrical properties make muscle more excitable responsive produce forceful contractions. cervix, softening connective tissue components. Progesterone nitric oxide appear have important roles these processes. The progress labor can be assessed noninvasively using electromyographic (EMG) signals from (the driving force contractility) recorded abdominal surface. Uterine EMG bursts detected manner characterize uterine contractile events during human animal pregnancy. A low activity, measured transabdominally throughout most pregnancy, rises dramatically activity also increases substantially preterm humans rats may predictive quantitative method assessing described. collascope estimates cervical collagen content fluorescent signal generated when crosslinks are illuminated an excitation light about 340 nm. system has proved useful at various stages pregnancy indicates occurs progressively last one-third rats, readings correlate resistance measurements made isolated which help function indicate controls treatments.