Foot operated traction device and method of using same for mechanical cervical ripening

A foot operated traction device (100, 200, 300) for allowing a pregnant woman to selectively self-induce dilatation of her cervix via her foot (510), the device (100, 200, 300) comprising:

• a balloon catheter (500) comprising an inflatable balloon (508) insertable above the cervix of the pregnant woman and an elongate catheter tube (502) comprising a catheter tube proximal end portion (504) and a catheter tube distal end portion (506) coaxially mounted to said inflatable balloon (508), said inflatable balloon (508) inflatable with a fluid to apply dilatative pressure against the cervix;
• and
• an elongate stirrup (102, 202, 302) connected to said catheter tube (502) at said catheter tube proximal end (504) at a stirrup proximal end (104, 204, 304) and removably engageable with the foot (510) of the pregnant woman at a stirrup distal end (106, 206, 306);
• wherein said stirrup distal end (106, 206, 306) is movable by the movement of the foot (510) to selectively vary a traction force of said inflatable balloon (508).