45 results about "Preterm labor" patented technology

The invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting or preventing preterm birth, inhibiting or delaying cervical ripening, inhibiting myometrial contractility and treating or inhibiting uterine contractility disorders. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a composition comprising steroid hormones such as soluble progesterone.

Systems and methods for monitoring uterus contraction activity and progress of labor. The system of the subject invention can comprises (1) a plurality of sensors; (2) an amplifying/filtering means; (3) a computing means; and (4) a graphical user interface. Accurate clinical data, which can be extracted and provided to the user in real-time using the system of the invention, include without limitation, progress of labor, prediction and monitoring of preterm labor, and intrauterine pressure prediction. In a preferred embodiment, the system of the invention includes an intelligence means, such as a neural network system, to analyze and interpret clinical data for use in clinical diagnosis as well as delivery strategy.

The present invention provides devices having an elongated member, a stop slidably engaged with the member and preferably a measuring scale to determine dimensions of female reproductive organs. Preferably, the device is adapted to determine the length of the cervix in the fornix vaginae, which is used in the disclosed methods to predict the risk of preterm labor, risk of miscarriage, ease or difficulty of inducing labor, and fertility of an individual. Additional embodiments of the device determine dimensions of the fornix vaginae and dilation of the cervix uteri.

This invention provides novel substituted tricyclic pyridyl carboxamides which act as oxytocin receptor competitive antagonists, as well as methods of their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of their use in treatment, inhibition, suppression or prevention of preterm labor, dysmenorrhea, endometritis, suppression of labor at term prior to caesarean delivery, and to facilitate antinatal transport to a medical facility. These compounds are also useful in enhancing fertility rates, enhancing survival rates and synchronizing estrus in farm animals; and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of disfunctions of the oxytocin system in the central nervous system including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and neuropsychiatric disorders.

A system is disclosed for long term, continuous, monitoring of pregnant mammals particularly to detect the onset of preterm labor. For example, the system enables communication between sensors and a collection unit for transmittal to a remote unit for display and monitoring of the collected data by a clinician while the individual is ambulatory and not in the presence of the clinician.

Crystalline (3Z,5S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-[(2′-methyl-1,1-biphenyl-4-yl) carbonyl]pyrrolidin-3-one O-methyloxime is disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition containing the crystalline compound and methods for treating conditions related to the OT-R activity, such as preterm labor, and tor increasing embryo implantation rate in a mammal undergoing embryo transfer, comprising administering the crystalline compound are also disclosed.

A system, method and apparatus for monitoring uterine and/or cervical activity indicative of labor in a patient. The system includes a medical device and a data processor in communication with the medical device. The medical device includes a structural component, a first electrode attached to the structural component, and a second electrode attached to the structural component. The structural component is structured to be in contact with a cervical surface and a vaginal surface of the patient, such that said first electrode is in electrical contact with said cervical surface and said second electrode is in electrical contact with said vaginal surface. The first electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the cervical surface and the second electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the uterus through the vaginal surface. The data processor is adapted to process the electrical activity of the electrodes to detect contractions on a surface of the patient indicative of labor.

The present invention provides methods and compositions for identifying subjects at risk of developing a complication of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or preterm labor. The compositions are microRNAs and associated nucleic acids.

The presence of 3-chlorotyrosine in vaginal secretions in a predictor of the likelihood preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes, i.e., the chorioamnion and/or the occurrence of the risk of preterm labor. 3-chlorotyrosine is a marker for the excessive production of hypochlorous acid which causes focal areas of increased collagen destruction in the chorioamnion, preterm premature rupture of membranes, or increased production of postaglandin and preterm labor. The inventive method comprises determining the likelihood of the occurrence of preterm premature rupture of membranes or increased production of postaglandin and preterm labor in a pregnant female by obtaining a sample of the females vaginal secretions, and analyzing the secretions for the presence and amount of 3-chlorotyrosine in the sample. Various antibody-based tests can be used to measure 3-chlorotyrosine, and a number of neoantigens, useful in raising antibodies to 3-chlorotyrosine, are disclosed.

In accordance with the present invention, recombinant human PBEF has been produced in order to study its ability to stimulate the transcription of the key cytokine mediators of labor induction, using the amnion-like epithelial (WISH) cell line and fetal membrane explants. As a result of these studies, it has been determined that PBEF is a good indicator of initiation of labor. This makes PBEF a useful marker, especially for the identification of subjects who have initiated preterm labor. Accordingly, methods for the identification of subjects who have commenced labor are provided. In addition, methods are also provided for blocking labor, as well as compositions useful therefor. This is accomplished by blocking the production of PBEF or by blocking the action of PBEF.

Assay methods for identifying an increased risk of preterm delivery induced by premature rupture of the fetal membranes are provided. More specifically, the invention provides salivary protease assays indicative of amniochorion and fetal membrane concentrations of proteases involved in the degradation of the fetal membranes leading to rupture. An increase in salivary protease levels beyond normal or individual baseline provides an indication that protease levels in fetal membranes and/or the amniotic fluid are abnormally elevated. Abnormally elevated protease levels define an increased risk of a premature delivery caused by rupture of the fetal membranes. Thus, abnormally high levels of salivary protease levels indicates elevated risk of PROM, and provides an indication for therapeutic intervention to prevent PROM-induced preterm labor.

Compositions, kits and methods for the prevention of, for example, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm labor or implantation failure during assisted reproduction are provided. The compositions, kits and methods provide an effective amount of granulocyte colony stimulating factor to prevent, for example, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm labor or implantation failure of an embryo.

Preeclampsia and preterm labor in a pregnant female mammal are treated by administering thereto a combination of a progestin and a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor or both, optionally in further combination with one or more of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a PGI₂-mimetic, a thromboxane (TXA₂) inhibitor, a compound possessing TXA₂-agonistic and TXA₂-inhibiting properties, a compound possessing TXA₂-antagonistic and PGI₂-memetic activities, and a TXA₂ antagonist.