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US 5,649,934 AGranted
Apparatus for assisting childbirth
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsStanley S. Smeltzer, III, Seth W. Lawson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention consists of novel, scissors-like forceps in combination with optical monitoring hardware for measuring the extraction forces on a fetal head. The novel features of the forceps together with knowledge of real time forces on the fetal head enable a user to make a much safer delivery for mother and baby.
Claims12
An apparatus for assisting in the delivery of a fetus, comprising
- a first member, said first member having a flexible spatula end which terminates in a free end and a handle end;
- a second member, said second member having a flexible spatula end which terminates in a free end and a handle end;
- means for pivoting said first member relative to said second member, said pivoting means being positioned on said first and second members between said spatula and handle ends,
- first optical means embedded within one of said members in at a location spaced from said free end and in the member location to sense strain caused by bending forces, and
- second optical means embedded within said one of the members at a location spaced from said free end and in a position to sense strain caused by tensile forces applied to said one member.
2 more elements
An apparatus for assisting in the delivery of a fetus, comprising
- a first member, said first member having a flexible spatula end, a midpoint, and a handle end;
- a second member, said second member having a flexible spatula end, a midpoint, and a handle end, said members being pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point adjacent to said midpoint;
- first optical means for sensing bending strain embedded within said first member at a location adjacent to said midpoint in a position to sense bending strain;
- second optical means for sensing strain embedded within said first member at a location adjacent to said midpoint in a position to sense tensile strain;
- means for transmitting an optical signal;
- means for receiving a reflected optical signal;
- an optical fiber connecting said first and second optical means for sensing strain to said means for transmitting an optical signal and said means for receiving a reflected optical signal;
- and
- means for analyzing and displaying reflected optical signals connected to the means for receiving a reflected signal.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.