Fetal probe
AssigneeCorometrics Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorJason O. Gardosi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fetal probe has an inflatable sac (24) which wedges between the presenting fetal part and maternal tissue to hold a fetal sensor in position. The fetal probe is short enough (10-20 cm) to enable insertion with the amniotic membrane intact. A passage extends through the probe to facilitate intrauterine pressure measurements or amniotomy.
Claims17
A fetal probe comprising an elongate body portion having a fetal sensor mounted thereon, said body portion being constructed and arranged for insertion into the cervix and above the presenting part of the fetus whereby said fetal sensor is positioned between the fetus and the maternal tissue during cervical dilation, expandable means on the distal end of the body portion for urging said sensor into engagement with the fetus and having a collapsed state to facilitate insertion of the body portion into the cervix and above the presenting part of the fetus and an expanded state for urging the fetal sensor into close engagement with the fetus, the expandable means in its expanded state having a wedge-shape with its widest portion facing the distal end of the body portion to provide a wedging action between the fetus and the maternal tissue such that the sensor is urged into closer engagement with the fetus upon slight retracting movement of the body portion, said sensor also being urged into closer engagement with the fetus and the maternal tissue by interuterine pressure during delivery.
A method of fetal monitoring including the steps of providing an elongate fetal monitor having at its distal end an expandable means which is relatively flat in its unexpanded state to facilitate insertion and is wedge shaped when in its expanded state, inserting the fetal monitor into the cervix, positioning the expandable means above the presenting part of the fetus such that the fetal sensor means is held against the presenting part by the maternal pressure, and expanding the expandable means after the positioning step, the expansion of said expandable means urging the expandable means into wedging engagement between the presenting part of the fetus and the maternal tissue whereby the fetal monitor is positioned between the fetus and the maternal tissue during cervical dilation and the sensor is urged into closer engagement with the fetus and the maternal tissue by intrauterine pressure during delivery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.