ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT FOR MONITORING AND TREATING FEMALE INFERTILITY

摘要

A micro-computer-based instrument for characterizing a woman's menstrual cycle by measuring her temperature (BBT) each day and storing and analyzing those temperatures. The instrument defines, with user interaction, a time window each day during which it will accept a temperature measurement within a predetermined acceptable temperature range taken with the aid of a thermistor temperature probe than can be placed under the woman's tongue. The analysis carried out on the collected temperature data includes comparing, from the eighth day of a cycle, two average temperatures: MF (average of a presumed follicular phase) and ML (average of a presumed luteal phase). Comparison continues until the difference between ML and MF exceeds a predetermined level thereby defining a second phase of the cycle indicating that ovulation has occured. After characterizing the cycle, the instrument indicates the most appropriate days for hormone treatment, blood tests and physician visits so that fertility treatment can be optimized.