The present invention is directed to a minimally invasive
system and method for monitoring changes in a
cervix opening during labor, including changes in its
diameter. The
system having a probe and a monitoring unit serve to monitor periodically the
cervix opening during labor and obtain measurements of the
diameter of the
cervix opening. The probe primarily includes a camera for imaging the cervix opening, a lens to provide an optimal
field of view for the camera at
close range to the cervix opening, a
light source to illuminate the cervix and a
balloon to expand the
vagina around the probe and position the probe to allow unobstructed imaging of the cervix. The monitoring unit which controls the probe to acquire images of the cervix and receives and processes image data from the probe includes a processor which uses
image segmentation techniques to identify and measure the opening of the cervix and generates data signals. The monitoring unit also includes an
image display which displays information based on the data signals for viewing by health care providers and / or the patient, including graphic images of the cervix opening and other text information relating to the cervix opening as an indicator of the progress of labor. In one embodiment, the processor implements segmentation techniques and / or
blob analysis algorithms to analyze the images of the cervix to identify the opening and measure its
diameter. Other algorithms may also be implemented to correct for any
spatial distortion, particularly
barrel distortion.