Patent ID: 6149604
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An instrument for determining female fertile period by measuring the viscoelasticity of saliva, said device comprising:(a) an elongated sheath having a length along an axis and an opening at one extremity, said sheath including a barrel, a piston that reciprocates axially within said barrel, and a rotating control for moving said piston axially within said barrel;(b) an escapement including a pair of elongated arms disposed approximately parallel to said axis, said arms having inner extremities remote from said opening and attached to said piston, and outer extremities in the vicinity of said opening, said outer extremities having mating surfaces;(c) said escapement including a spring bias urging separation of said mating surfaces from each other;(d) said arms being mounted for relative movement of said mating surfaces among first relational positions at which said mating surfaces are separated, second relational positions at which said mating surfaces are in contact, and third relational positions at which said mating surfaces are free to separate under said spring bias;(e) said piston axial motion optionally placing said mating surfaces into said first relational positions, said second relational positions, and said third relational positions;(f) a temperature sensor for measuring the approximate temperature of said saliva;(g) at least one of said mating surfaces being free to collect said saliva when said mating surfaces are in said first relational positions;(h) said mating surfaces being constrained to compress said saliva therebetween when said mating surfaces are in said second relational positions;(i) a means for measuring the time elapsed for separation of said surfaces when said mating surfaces are in said third relational positions and for adjusting said elapsed time based on said temperature.