US 5,632,750 AGranted

Device for assisting childbirth

AssigneeMedisys Technologies, Inc.

InventorsGary E. Alexander, Robert L. diBenedetto

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A device to assist in removing a fetus from a woman's birth canal during childbirth is provided. The device includes a pliable, elongated cylinder with at least one end to fit over the head of the fetus, insertion wands for positioning the cylinder over the head of the fetus, wand sheaths which hold the insertion wands in place, and a drawstring attached at the open end. An insertion sleeve is used to compress the open end of the cylinder so that the cylinder can be inserted into the mother. An application cone is provided for spreading the open end of the cylinder and guiding it over the head during application. The cylinder is constructed so that as it is pulled from the end opposite the open end, the cylinder will axially grip the head of the fetus and extract the fetus from the mother. A method of using the device is also described.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A device for assisting the delivery of a fetus, comprising:

(1) an elongated member having an open first end and a second end connected by a passageway into which the head of a fetus may be fit, said open first end being adapted to receive said head therein so that said open first end surrounds said head;
(2) a plurality of wand sheaths, equidistantly disposed along said elongated member, each said wand sheath having a terminal end and a receiving end, wherein said receiving end is attached to said elongated member;
(3) an insertion wand corresponding to each said wand sheath, each said insertion wand being a semi-rigid member having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted such that said insertion wand may be received within said receiving end of said sheath;
(4) a rigid hollow elongated insertion handle, said insertion handle having a tunnel therethrough and being adapted such that said proximal end of each said insertion wand is removably attached to said insertion handle;
(5) a pliable resilient application cone having an attachment end and an open end, said cone being adapted to fit within said elongated member open first end and said elongated member passageway;
(6) an application rod having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length greater than the connected combination of said insertion wands and said insertion handle, said rod distal end being attached to said cone attachment end, said rod proximal end being adapted to slidably fit through said insertion handle tunnel;
(7) a pliable tubular insertion sleeve, said insertion sleeve being adapted such that said sleeve will fit over said elongated member open first end and constrict said open first end to a size sufficient to allow insertion of said open first end into the birth canal of the mother, said sleeve being further adapted so as to be cut with surgical shears and removed after said insertion of said elongated member open first end;
and
(8) restricting means cooperating with said open first end of said elongated member for tightening said open first end about said head.

6 more elements

A method of assisting the delivery of a fetus during birth, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an apparatus for insertion into the introitus of a mother, said apparatus including:
an elongated member made of braid material and having an open first end and a second end connected by a passageway into which the head of a fetus may be fit;
a plurality of wand sheaths, equidistantly disposed along said elongated member, each said wand sheath having a receiving end attached to said elongated member and a terminal end;
an insertion wand corresponding to each said wand sheath, each said insertion wand being a semi-rigid member having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted such that said insertion wand may be received within said receiving end of said sheath;
an insertion handle, said insertion handle having a tunnel therethrough and being adapted such that said proximal end of each said insertion wand is removably attached to said insertion handle;
a pliable resilient application cone having an attachment end and an open end, said cone being adapted to fit within said elongated member open end and said elongated member passageway;
an application rod having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length greater than said insertion wands, said distal end being attached to said cone attachment end, said proximal end being adapted to slidably fit through said insertion handle tunnel;
a hollow pliable tubular insertion sleeve adapted such that said sleeve will fit over said elongated member open first end and constrict said open first end to a size sufficient to allow insertion of said open first end into the birth canal of the mother;
and restricting means cooperating with said open first end of said elongated member for tightening said open first end about said head;
(b) folding said cone and inserting said cone into the introitus so that said cone will open up and engage said fetal head;
(c) inserting said insertion sleeve containing said elongated member open first end and said wand distal ends into said introitus;
(d) sliding said elongated member through said sleeve into the birth canal of said mother by applying a forward force, into the birth canal, to said insertion handle;
(e) sliding said sleeve out of said introitus and cutting and removing said sleeve while maintaining a forward force on said insertion handle;
(f) pushing said insertion handle forward into the birth canal while maintaining said cone engaged against said head so that said cone guides said open first end of said elongated member over said head until said open first end is below the largest cross-section of said head, as presented;
(g) tightening said restricting means so that said open first end is fitted about said head while continuing to apply forward force to said insertion handle;
(h) removing said insertion handle, said wands and said cone while maintaining tension on said restricting means;
(i) pulling rearward on said elongated member second end while maintaining tension on said restricting means so that said braid material elongated member axial grips said head;
(j) ceasing to maintain tension on said restricting means;
(k) delivering said fetus.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/413,125Filed 29 Mar 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 May 1990
Granted: 27 May 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

A61B 17/442
Obstetrical forceps: without pivotal connections, e.g. using vacuum
A61B 2017/00287
For minimally invasive surgery: bags for minimally invasive surgery
A61B
Medical diagnosis and surgery

Family

Serial522,592Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 May 1990
Serial851,068Parent of this continuation · filed 13 Mar 1992
Serial982,016Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 24 Nov 1992
Serial36,560Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 25 Mar 1993
Serial250,054Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 27 May 1994
US 5,318,573 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,217,467 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,122,148 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,632,750 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.