Patent ID: 7828753

Claim:
A method for monitoring progress of labor, comprising: attaching at least one electrode onto a pregnant maternal abdomen; attaching to the electrode(s) an interface cable comprising, a first component that is an electrode interface that connects to the electrode(s) and that receives at least one electrode signal from the electrode(s), a second component that is a signal converter that connects to the electrode interface, wherein said signal converter receives the electrode signal(s) from the electrode interface and processes same said electrode signal(s) into electrical output data that mimics electrical output from a tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter, and a third component that is a maternal-fetal monitor port interface that connects to a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the maternal-fetal monitor port interface connects to the signal converter and receives and subsequently transmits the electrical output data to the maternal-fetal monitor; wherein the components are integrated to form a unitary structure in the cable; and assessing progress of labor by analyzing the electrical output data using the maternal-fetal monitor.