Non-invasive fetal probe

A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising:

• a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised entirely of a conductive hydrogel which is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions;
• a sensor carried by said body and detecting at least one fetal parameter;
• and
• means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.

A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring a fetal heart rate during labor and delivery, said probe comprising:

• a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised of a conductive hydrogel which is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions;
• a first sensor carried by said body and detecting a fetal heart rate;
• means for communicating the fetal heart rate detected by said first sensor from said first sensor to a monitor;
• a second sensor carried by said body and detecting reference signals;
• means for communicating the reference signals detected by said second sensor from said second sensor to the monitor;
• and
• means for electrically insulating said first sensor from said second sensor, said insulating means disposed between said first and said second sensors.

A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring a fetal heart rate during labor and delivery, said probe comprising:

• a body having a "V"-shaped suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, said body having:
• (a) a thermoplastic shell with an outer perimeter forming one of a ledge and a ridge, and
• (b) a conductive hydrogel formed from the polymerization of a hydrogel precursor formulation comprising water, acrylic acid, a photoinitiator, a cross-linking agent, diisopropanolamine, and an electrolyte, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions, coated on said shell and forming a concave surface facing the fetus;
• a first sensor carried by said body and detecting a fetal heart rate;
• means for communicating the fetal heart rate detected by said first sensor from said first sensor to a monitor;
• a second sensor carried by said body and detecting reference signals;
• and
• means for communicating the reference signals detected by said second sensor from said second sensor to the monitor,
• whereby one of said ledge and said ridge isolates said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe.

A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising:

• a body having:
• (a) a shell with an an outer perimeter forming a ridge having a top edge and a lower edge, and
• (b) a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and
• (c) a conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions and extending to said top edge of said ridge and said ridge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe;
• a sensor carried by said body and detecting said at least one fetal parameter;
• and
• means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.

A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising:

• a body having:
• (a) a shell with an an outer perimeter forming a ledge having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, and
• (b) a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and
• (c) a conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions and disposed on said top surface of said ledge and said ledge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe;
• a sensor carried by said body and detecting said at least one fetal parameter;
• and
• means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.