Obstetrical instrument for rupturing the amniotic membranes

An obstetrical instrument for rupturing in a safe and easy manner the foetal membranes of a pregnant woman in order to release the amniotic fluid contained in said membranes, said instrument comprising:

• an elongated tubular member having a front end with a blunt rim constituting a non-cutting engaging surface, and a rear end, said member being adapted to be inserted into the woman's vagina with the front end of said member in contact with the foetal membranes to be ruptured;
• a piston movably mounted inside said tubular member, said piston being tight enough to create, when actuated, a vacuum sufficient to draw to a certain extent the foetal membranes inside the tubular member;
• a rod for manually actuating the piston, said rod having one end fixed to said piston and the other end extending outwardly of the tubular member through the rear end thereof;
• and
• rupturing means fixedly mounted in front of the piston within said tubular member at a location inwardly spaced from and adjacent to said front end rim, for rupturing the foetal membranes when said membranes are drawn inside the tubular member on actuation of the piston with the rod.