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US 10,207,090 B2Granted
Advanced cervical ripening system
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsBrent M. Nowak, Leonid Bunegin, Pamela G. Ferguson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Traditional and existing methods of cervical ripening employ a Foley Bulb designed for and typically used in bladder procedures. Consequently, the application to the cervix is sub-optimal. The described device resolves this and related limitations. The device includes a balloon that has been designed to accommodate the cervix geometry, and which can adapt to normal differences in the individual. Further improvements are attained by the use of a supporting device which couples the cervix ripening device to the individual.
Claims9
A cervical ripening device comprising:
- an elongated tube comprising a first end configured to be positioned within a subject's body, a second end configured to be positioned outside the patient's body, the elongated tube further comprising an outer tube and an inner tube;
- a threaded collar attached to an external threading on the second end of the elongated tube;
- and
- a balloon coupled to the first end of the elongated tube;
- wherein the balloon has a shape and size that matches the shape of the internal os of the cervix of a subject having a fetus present in the subject's uterus;
- wherein the balloon is composed of a first disk and a second disk, wherein the first disk and the second disk are connected to each other at an outer edge to form a single inflatable cavity, wherein the first disk comprises a reinforced material that limits the expansion of the first disk, and the second disk comprises a membrane that is expandable during use;
- and
- wherein the cervical ripening device further comprises a support device slideably coupled to the elongated tube between the threaded collar and the balloon, wherein the support device is configured to couple to the subject outside of the subject's body and provide a pulling force against the balloon during use;
- wherein rotation of the threaded collar in a predetermined position along the external threading of the elongated tube moved the balloon relative to the support device to alter the pulling force applied to the balloon.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.