Patent ID: 8977345
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for use in non-invasive monitoring of con action of at least one selected muscle from within a vaginal lumen of a subject, comprising: an elongate probe body configured for placement in the vaginal lumen, the probe body having a generally smooth external surface and is sized and shaped such that at least a portion of said external surface is configured for placement against a wall of the vaginal lumen apposing the at least one selected muscle, wherein said portion of the external surface defines at least one region of the probe body that is composed of a material that is generally transparent to near infrared (NIR) light to permit NIR light to pass through the probe body; means for emitting NIR light housed within the probe body and positioned for emitting the NIR light through the at least one region of the probe body that is composed of said material, wherein the emitting means comprises a NIR light source or is connected by a light guide to an interface configured to be operably connected to an external NIR light source; and means for collecting NIR light housed within the probe body and positioned for receiving NIR light that enters the probe body through the at least one region of the probe body that is composed of said material and which is spaced apart from the means for emitting by a distance of about 1 to about 3 cm, wherein the collecting means comprises a NIR light detector or is connected by a light guide to an interface configured to be operably connected to an external NIR light detector.