Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10321897-B2
Publication Date
2019-06-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for determining the fertility status of a female. The method comprises the steps of determining and recording a continuous series of temperature data points relating to a body temperature of the female, identifying if the series of temperature data points comprises at least one pre-determined feature in the series of temperature data points and, if a pre-determined feature has been identified, determining a point in time of ovulation for the series of temperatures based on a pre-determined relation of the pre-determined feature and ovulation.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to determining the fertility status of a female by generating a continuous series of temperature data points relating to a body temperature during night and day and continuously over a plurality of days, with the series continuously recorded in a memory device and transmitted to a reader device. The reader device analyses the continuous series by comparing the data to pattern analysis criteria to determine a pattern of temperature data points.
From the comparison, the method identifies whether the continuous series comprises a pattern indicative of at least one pre-determined feature based on the pattern analysis criteria. The pre-determined feature comprises at least one of a temperature-stress-indicator, a number of peaks, a sequence of peaks, and a combination of at least one of increases and decreases of temperatures, within a first time interval.
When such a pre-determined feature is identified, the method determines a point in time of ovulation based on a pre-determined relation of the pre-determined feature and ovulation. In the disclosure, ovulation timing is linked to detected temperature features and may be used for prediction during the cycle, including improved reliability/prognosis and optional combination of pattern and homogeneity probabilities.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains two independent claims that share the same core workflow: continuous temperature data capture, transmission, reader-side analysis with pattern analysis criteria, identification of pre-determined temperature features, and determining ovulation time using a pre-determined relation. The claims include inventive features focused on temperature-pattern recognition and mapping features to ovulation timing, with one independent claim additionally defining the feature as a biomarker representing a change in fertility status and based on relative changes.
Continuous temperature data generation and transmission for fertility-status analysis
Generating with the temperature sensor a continuous series of temperature data points relating to a body temperature of the female during night and day and continuously over a plurality of days, recording the continuous series in a memory device, and transmitting the recorded series to the reader device.
Pattern-based analysis using pattern analysis criteria
Analysing the continuous series on the reader device by comparing the continuous series of temperature data points to pattern analysis criteria to determine a pattern of temperature data points in the continuous series.
Detection of pre-determined temperature features indicative of ovulation timing
Identifying whether the continuous series comprises a pattern indicative of at least one pre-determined feature based on the comparison to the pattern analysis criteria, wherein the pre-determined feature comprises at least one of a temperature-stress-indicator, a number of peaks, a sequence of peaks, a combination of at least one of increases and decreases of temperatures, or any combination thereof within a first time interval.
Ovulation determination from a pre-determined relation to the detected feature
If a pattern indicative of a pre-determined feature has been identified, determining a point in time of ovulation for the continuous series based on a pre-determined relation of the pre-determined feature and ovulation.
Fertility-status biomarker feature based on relative temperature changes
Determining a point in time of ovulation based on a pre-determined relation of the pre-determined feature and ovulation, wherein the pre-determined feature is based on relative changes in the series of temperature data points that are a biomarker representing a change in the fertility status.
Across the independent claims, the coverage is centered on continuous night/day temperature data acquisition and transmission to a reader device, reader-side pattern analysis using pattern analysis criteria, detection of pre-determined temperature features indicative of ovulation timing, and determining a point in time of ovulation from a pre-determined relationship. One claim further defines the temperature feature as a fertility-status biomarker based on relative changes.
Stated Advantages
Improved reliability/prognosis for ovulation/phase detection (including an example reliability >94% for phase detection).
Documented Applications
Determining fertility status and ovulation timing for a female using continuous body temperature measurement and pattern-based analysis during the menstrual cycle.
Providing real-time prediction during the cycle based on detected temperature features.
Interested in licensing this patent?