Method and apparatus for monitoring the progress of labor
AssigneeTrig Medical Ltd.
InventorYoav Paltieli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of monitoring the progress of labor in a mother during childbirth, by using a position sensor to measure a predetermined point on the mother; monitoring the location of the position sensor in three-dimensional space; and monitoring the location of the fetal presenting part with respect to the predetermined point on the mother. The location of the fetal presenting part may be indicated by a similar position sensor, or by imaging. Other conditions, such as effacement, cervical dilatation, and cervical position may also be monitored in a similar manner. A reference or affixation point may be provided to the position sensor by, for example, attaching a key or shaped object to one or more points on the fetus or mother.
Claims39
A method of monitoring the progress of labor during childbirth, the method comprising:
- touching a position sensor to a point on the fetal presenting part and capturing the position of the position sensor;
- touching the position sensor to a set of points on the mother and capturing the position of the position sensor at each point;
- and
- monitoring the position of the point on the fetal presenting part with respect to at least one point from the set of points on the mother.
Apparatus for monitoring the progress of labor, the apparatus comprising;
- a fetal key capable of being attached to a point on the fetus;
- a position sensor including a position key matching the shape on the fetal key;
- and
- a monitor capable of sensing the position of the position sensor.
Apparatus for monitoring the progress of labor, comprising;
- a fetal key means for attachment to a point on the fetus and for providing a position and an orientation for a position sensor;
- a position sensor means for providing a position, including a position key means for connecting to the fetal key;
- and
- a monitor means for sensing the position of the position sensor.
A method of monitoring the progress of labor, the method comprising:
- touching a position sensor to a key mounted on the fetal presenting part and capturing the position and orientation of the position sensor;
- touching the position sensor to a set of points on the mother and capturing the position and orientation of the position sensor at each point;
- and
- calculating the relative position of the fetus and mother.
A method of monitoring the progress of labor, the method comprising:
- touching a position sensor to a key mounted on the fetal presenting part and capturing position data from the position sensor;
- touching the position sensor to a set of points on the mother and capturing position data from the position sensor;
- and
- calculating a status of the progress of labor or of the fetus or mother based on the position data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.