US 4,543,965 A · Method and device for measuring intrauterine pressure

Abstract

There is provided a device for measuring intrauterine pressure during prency and during labor prior to the rupture of the amniotic membrane. The device comprises an elongated catheter having a uterine end and an instrumentation end, and is introducible with its uterine end into the uterus. The catheter has at least one deformable membrane inflatable by means of a fluid, which membrane is fixedly attached to and, in its noninflated state, substantially closely surrounds, a portion of the catheter substantially contiguous with the uterine end. There is also provided pressure-transmitting means located at said uterine end and at least one conduit, leading from a first end located remote from the uterine end to a second end opening to the outside of the catheter at a point within the membrane-surrounded portion. The first end is fittable with first flow-control means. A method for utilizing this device is also described.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method for measuring intrauterine pressure during pregnancy and during labor prior to the rupture of the amnionic membrane, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongated catheter having at one end thereof at least one first inflatable membrane and pressure-transmitting means in the form of a second inflatable membrane for making pressure-transmitting contact with the amniotic membrane, said second inflatable membrane being connectable to a pressure monitor, said first inflatable membrane serving for providing anchorage, inside the uterus, for said catheter and purchase for said second inflatable membrane;
introducing the end of said catheter via the vagina and the cervical canal into the lower portion of the uterus;
inflating said first inflatable membrane with a fluid, until said anchorage and said purchase are established;
inflating said second membrane with fluid, and establishing communication between said second membrane and said pressure monitor, and
monitoring said intrauterine pressure.

2 more elements

A device for measuring intrauterine pressure during pregnancy and during labor prior to the rupture of the amniotic membrane, comprising:

an elongated catheter having a uterine end and an instrumentation end, and being introducible with its uterine end into the uterus;
at least one first deformable membane inflatable by means of a fluid, which membrane is fixedly attached to and, in its noninflated state, substantially closely surrounds, a portion of said catheter substantially contiguous with the uterine end thereof, and in its inflated state assumes a substantially toroid shape providing an anchorage for the catheter in the uterus;
a second deformable membrane inflatable by means of a fluid and constituting pressure-transmitting means, said second membane being located at said uterine end and disposed externally of said first membrane;
and
at least one conduit, leading from a first end located remote from said uterine end to a second end opening to the outside of said catheter at a point within said first membrane-surrounded portion, which first end is fittable with first flow-control means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and device for measuring intrauterine pressure

Life of this patent

Method and device for measuring intrauterine pressure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7