Uterine contraction sensing system and method

• US 20030187370A1
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ventrex, Inc. (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ventrex, Inc. (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Kodama, Roy K.
• Application Number:
  US10/113,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20030187370A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/033 Uterine pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4356 Assessing uterine contractions A61B5/033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence

Abstract

A system and method for enabling the sensing of changes in pressure in response to uterine muscle tone changes relating to contractions, and for enabling the evaluation of contractions based thereon. The system, in an embodiment thereof, enables ease of use and enhanced patient comfort. It also enables maximized sensitivity and minimized system loading retention pressure. Further, it enables a portion of the system to comfortably and efficiently project below the non-compressed abdominal surface, and provides electrical isolation of the system elements.

Claims

1. A system for sensing the frequency and duration of uterine contractions during labor and estimating the relative intensity thereof, adapted to sense changes in pressure in response to uterine muscle tone changes relating to contractions, and to enable a fetal monitor to be connected thereto for evaluation of contractions, comprising:

a sensing element, for sensing changes in pressure responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, adapted to be positioned against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle, and to be connected to a fetal monitor for evaluation of contractions during labor; and

a supporting element, for supporting the sensing element so as to bear against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing element includes a moving member, for moving by displacing or compressing so as to exert pressure responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, and a sensing member, for sensing movement of the moving member, and for enabling a fetal monitor to be connected thereto.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing element is generally small and lightweight, and the supporting element is generally low profile and lightweight.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing element is further adapted to be actuated by an excitation voltage from a fetal monitor, and to send a signal voltage back to the fetal monitor responsive to changes in pressure.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an extending element, for extending about the exterior abdominal wall, adapted to retain the supporting element and the sensing element in position against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the supporting element is adapted to support the sensing element such that the sensing element projects into the abdominal wall so as to reside below the non-compressed surface of the abdomen.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the moving member comprises a force collector.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the moving member includes an outer portion adapted to project from the supporting element, an inner portion adapted to contact the sensing member, and an interface between the outer portion and the inner portion.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the moving member is comprised of material which is generally soft and compliant.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensing element further includes a supporting member, for supporting the moving member and the sensing member.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the supporting element includes a supporting member for supporting the moving member.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the moving member and the supporting element are further adapted to support the sensing member so as to isolate the sensing member from the external environment, to prevent current from flowing to the patient.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensing member comprises the active area of the sensing element, and includes resistors adapted to change the resistance with changes in applied pressure.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein the supporting element is adapted to support the moving member such that the moving member projects into the abdominal wall so as to reside below the non-compressed surface of the abdomen.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the moving member is adapted to be formed such that the ratio of the moving member to the sensing member is substantially minimal.

16. The system of claim 5, wherein the supporting element is adapted to leverage the sensing element, so as to enable the extending element to load the sensing element onto the abdomen, with substantially minimal retention pressure exerted by the extending element on the sensing element.

17. The system of claim 5, wherein the supporting element is comprised of a flexible material, such that, in conjunction with the extending element, the flexible material maintains a load on the sensing element during abdominal changes relating to contractions.

18. The system of claim 5, wherein the supporting element is comprised of a non-flexible material, such that, in conjunction with the extending element, the non-flexible material maintains a load on the sensing element during abdominal changes relating to contractions.

19. The system of claim 5, wherein the extending element comprises a belt.

20. The system of claim 6, wherein the supporting element includes a housing which includes a back plate, and a dome, projecting from the back plate, and wherein the dome has a well therein, and the sensing element is adapted to be mounted in the well of the dome.

21. The system of claim 7, wherein the force collector is generally in the shape of a nipple, and is comprised of a generally compliant material.

22. The system of claim 7, wherein the force collector is generally in the shape of a nipple, and is comprised of a generally non-compliant material which includes compliant material therein.

23. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensing element further includes a supporting member for supporting the moving member and the sensing member, and the supporting member includes a wall portion and an extending base portion, and a ceramic chip substrate secured to the extending base portion, the sensing member comprises a piezo-resistive pressure sensor, and the inner portion of the moving member is adapted to be formed in the wall portion, on the ceramic chip substrate, and over and about the piezo-resistive pressure sensor.

24. The system of claim 8, wherein the moving member is adapted to be formed such that the ratio of the outer portion of the moving member to the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member is substantially minimal.

25. The system of claim 10, wherein the supporting member comprises a gel cup, comprised of generally molded plastic material, and filled with a non-conductive silicone gel, a bonding element for bonding the sensing member thereto, and a ceramic chip substrate.

26. The system of claim 10, wherein the supporting member comprises a gel cup, comprised of generally molded plastic material, and a ceramic chip substrate.

27. The system of claim 10, wherein the supporting member comprises a ceramic chip substrate.

28. The system of claim 10, wherein the supporting element includes a portion which is generally semi-spherical in shape, which includes a recess from which the moving member is adapted to project and to be moveable therein, and a generally rectangular-plate-shaped portion.

29. The system of claim 10, wherein the moving member and the supporting member are further adapted to support the sensing member so as to isolate the sensing member from the external environment, to prevent current from flowing to the patient.

30. The system of claim 10, wherein the supporting member includes a plurality of contact pads for receiving a plurality of connectors in a cable from a fetal monitor, further comprising a plurality of wires for connecting the sensing member to the contact pads, and wherein, in the event of the application of a voltage or current exceeding a limit, the wires connecting the sensing member to the contact pads will fail substantially instantaneously, preventing current from flowing to the patient.

31. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensing member and the supporting member comprise a pressure transducer.

32. The system of claim 11, wherein the supporting member is adapted to be formed as a supporting portion of the supporting element.

33. The system of claim 11, wherein the supporting member is adapted to be formed as a supporting part which is adapted to extend between the sensing element and the supporting element.

34. The system of claim 13, wherein the resistors comprise a balanced resistor network.

35. The system of claim 15, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the width of the moving member to the width of the sensing member.

36. The system of claim 15, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the area of the moving member to the area of the sensing member.

37. The system of claim 17, wherein the flexible material comprises a flexible plastic material.

38. The system of claim 19, wherein the belt is comprised of generally elastic material.

39. The system of claim 21, wherein the generally compliant material comprises a generally compliant polymer material.

40. The system of claim 21, wherein the generally compliant material comprises a generally compliant monomer material.

41. The system of claim 21, wherein the generally compliant material comprises a generally low durometer compliant material.

42. The system of claim 22, wherein the generally non-compliant material comprises a generally non-low durometer non-compliant material.

43. The system of claim 23, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors.

44. The system of claim 24, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the width of the outer portion of the moving member to the cross-sectional area of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member.

45. The system of claim 24, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the width of the linear width of the outer portion of the moving member to the linear width of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member.

46. The system of claim 25, wherein the moving member is formed of a material which is adapted to be dispensed and formed relative to the gel cup, the gel cup includes an adhering portion, adapted to enable the moving member to adhere thereto, and the supporting element includes an extending portion, which is formed relative to the adhering portion, and which is adapted to inhibit the material of which the moving member is formed from flowing beyond the adhering portion.

47. The system of claim 25, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors.

48. The system of claim 26, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors.

49. The system of claim 27, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors.

50. The system of claim 32, wherein the sensing member and the supporting portion of the supporting element comprise a pressure transducer.

51. The system of claim 32, wherein the sensing member and the supporting part of the supporting element comprise a pressure transducer.

52. The system of claim 34, wherein the balanced resistor network comprises a silicon semiconductor Wheatstone bridge.

53. The system of claim 35, wherein the width of the moving member and the width of the sensing member comprises the width in any direction thereof.

54. The system of claim 35, wherein the ratio is no greater than about three and one-half to one.

55. The system of claim 36, wherein the ratio is no greater than about eight to one.

56. The system of claim 38, wherein the generally elastic material comprises an elastic nylon material.

57. The system of claim 38, wherein the generally elastic material comprises an elastic polyester material.

58. The system of claim 43, wherein the cross-sectional area of the width of the outer portion of the moving members comprises the cross-sectional area of the widest width thereof.

59. The system of claim 44, wherein the ratio is no greater than about eight to one.

60. The system of claim 45, wherein the width of the linear width of the outer portion of the moving member comprises the width of the linear widest width thereof.

61. The system of claim 45, wherein the ratio is no greater than about three and one-half to one.

62. The system of claim 54, wherein the ratio is about two and one-half to one.

63. The system of claim 55, wherein the ratio is about five to one.

64. The system of claim 59, wherein the ratio is about five to one.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein the ratio is about two and one-half to one.

66. A system for sensing the frequency and duration of uterine contractions during labor and estimating the relative intensity thereof, adapted to sense changes in pressure in response to uterine muscle tone changes relating to contractions, and to enable a fetal monitor to be connected thereto for evaluation of contractions, comprising:

a sensing element, for sensing changes in pressure responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, adapted to be positioned against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle, and to be connected to a fetal monitor for evaluation of contractions during labor;

a supporting element, for supporting the sensing element so as to bear against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle; and

an extending element, for extending about the exterior abdominal wall, adapted to retain the supporting element and the sensing element in position against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the sensing element includes a moving member, for moving by displacing or compressing so as to exert pressure responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, a sensing member, for sensing movement of the moving member, and for enabling a fetal monitor to be connected thereto, and a supporting member, for supporting the moving member and the sensing member.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the supporting element is adapted to support the sensing element such that the sensing element projects into the abdominal wall so as to reside below the non-compressed surface of the abdomen.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein the supporting element is adapted to leverage the sensing element, so as to enable the extending element to load the sensing element onto the abdomen, with substantially minimal retention pressure exerted by the extending element on the sensing element.

70. The system of claim 66, wherein the supporting element is comprised of a flexible material, such that, in conjunction with the extending element, the flexible material maintains a load on the sensing element during abdominal changes relating to contractions.

71. The system of claim 67, wherein the moving member and the supporting member are further adapted to support the sensing member so as to isolate the sensing member from the external environment, to prevent current from flowing to the patient.

72. A method of sensing the frequency and duration of uterine contractions during labor and estimating the relative intensity thereof, adapted to sense changes in pressure responsive to uterine muscle tone changes relating to contractions, and to enable a fetal monitor to be connected thereto for evaluation of contractions, in a system which comprises a sensing element, for sensing changes in pressure responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, adapted to be positioned against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle, and to be connected to a fetal monitor for evaluation of contractions during labor, and a supporting element, for supporting the sensing element so as to bear against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle, wherein the method comprises:

supporting the sensing element so as to be positionable to bear against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle, in the supporting element; and

sensing changes in pressure responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, in the sensing element.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the sensing element includes a moving member, for moving by displacing or compressing responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, and a sensing member, for sensing movement of the moving member, and for enabling a fetal monitor to be connected thereto, and wherein sensing includes moving the moving member responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, and sensing movement of the moving member.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the sensing element is generally small and lightweight, and the supporting element is generally low profile and lightweight, and wherein sensing further comprises sensing pressure changes, in the generally small and lightweight sensing element.

75. The method of claim 72, wherein the sensing element is further adapted to be actuated by an excitation voltage from a fetal monitor, and to send a signal voltage back to the fetal monitor responsive to changes in pressure, further comprising actuating the sensing element with an excitation voltage from a fetal monitor, and sending a signal back to the fetal monitor responsive to pressure changes.

76. The method of claim 72, further comprising an extending element, for extending about the exterior abdominal wall, adapted to retain the supporting element and the sensing element in position against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle, and further comprising retaining the supporting element and the sensing element in position against the exterior abdominal wall proximate the uterine muscle, in the extending element.

77. The method of claim 72, wherein the supporting element is adapted to support the sensing element such that the sensing element projects into the abdominal wall so as to reside below the non-compressed surface of the abdomen, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the sensing element such that the sensing element projects into the abdominal wall so as to reside below the non-compressed surface of the abdomen.

78. The method of claim 72, further comprising connecting the sensing element to a fetal monitor for evaluation of contractions during labor.

79. The method of claim 73, wherein the moving member comprises a force collector, and wherein moving comprises moving the force collector.

80. The method of claim 73, wherein the moving member includes an outer portion adapted to project from the supporting member, an inner portion adapted to contact the sensing member, and an interface between the outer portion and the inner portion, and wherein moving further comprises moving the generally soft and compliant moving member, including projecting the outer portion thereof, and contacting the inner portion thereof with the sensing member.

81. The system of claim 73, wherein the moving member is comprised of material which is generally soft and compliant, and wherein sensing further includes moving the generally soft and compliant moving member responsive to uterine muscle tone changes, and sensing movement of the generally soft and compliant moving member.

82. The method of claim 73, wherein the sensing element further includes a supporting member, for supporting the moving member and the sensing member, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member and the sensing member in the supporting member.

83. The method of claim 73, wherein the supporting element includes a supporting member for supporting the moving member, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member and the sensing member in the supporting member.

84. The method of claim 73, wherein the moving member and the supporting member are further adapted to support the sensing member so as to isolate the sensing member from the external environment, to prevent current from flowing to the patient, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the sensing element in the moving member and the supporting member so as to isolate the sensing element from the external environment.

85. The method of claim 73, wherein the sensing member comprises the active area of the sensing element, and includes resistors adapted to change the resistance with changes in applied pressure, and wherein sensing further comprises changing the resistance of the resistors in the sensing member with changes in applied pressure.

86. The method of claim 73, wherein the supporting element is adapted to support the moving member such that the moving member projects into the abdominal wall so as to reside below the non-compressed surface of the abdomen, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member such that the moving member projects into the abdominal wall so as to reside below the non-compressed surface of the abdomen.

87. The method of claim 73, wherein the moving member is adapted to be formed such that the ratio of the moving member to the sensing member is substantially minimal, further comprising forming the moving member such that the ratio of the moving member to the sensing member is substantially minimal.

88. The method of claim 76, wherein the supporting element is adapted to leverage the sensing element, so as to enable the extending element to load the sensing element onto the abdomen, with substantially minimal retention pressure exerted by the extending element on the sensing element, and wherein supporting further comprises leveraging the sensing element in the supporting element.

89. The method of claim 76, wherein the supporting element is comprised of a flexible material, such that, in conjunction with the extending element, the flexible material maintains a load on the sensing element during abdominal changes relating to contractions, and wherein supporting further comprises maintaining a load on the sensing element in the supporting element and the extending element.

90. The method of claim 76, wherein the supporting element is comprised of a non-flexible material, such that, in conjunction with the extending element, the non-flexible material maintains a load on the sensing element during abdominal changes relating to contractions, and wherein supporting further comprises maintaining a load on the sensing element in the supporting element and the extending element.

91. The method of claim 76, wherein the extending element comprises a belt, and wherein retaining further comprises retaining the sensing element in position in the belt.

92. The method of claim 77, wherein the supporting element includes a housing which includes a back plate, and a dome, projecting from the back plate, and wherein the dome has a well therein, and the sensing element is adapted to be mounted in the well of the dome, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the sensing member in the well of the dome of the supporting element housing.

93. The method of claim 79, wherein the force collector is generally in the shape of a nipple, and is comprised of a generally compliant material, and wherein moving further comprises moving the generally nipple-shaped force collector.

94. The method of claim 79, wherein the force collector is generally in the shape of a nipple, and is comprised of a generally non-compliant material which includes compliant material therein, and wherein moving further comprises moving the generally nipple-shaped force collector.

95. The method of claim 79, wherein the sensing element further includes a supporting member for supporting the moving member and the sensing member, and the supporting member includes a wall portion and an extending base portion, and a ceramic chip substrate secured to the extending base portion, the sensing member comprises a piezo-resistive pressure sensor, and the inner portion of the moving member is adapted to be formed in the wall portion, on the ceramic chip substrate, and over and about the piezo-resistive pressure sensor, further comprising forming the inner portion of the moving member in the wall portion and on the ceramic chip substrate of the supporting member, and over and about the piezo-resistive pressure sensor of the sensing member.

96. The method of claim 80, wherein the moving member is adapted to be formed such that the ratio of the outer portion of the moving member to the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member is substantially minimal, further comprising forming the moving member such that the ratio of the outer portion of the moving member to the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member is substantially minimal.

97. The method of claim 82, wherein the supporting member comprises a gel cup, comprised of generally molded plastic material, and filled with a non-conductive silicone gel, a bonding element for bonding the gel cup to the sensing member thereto, and a ceramic chip substrate, further comprising supporting the moving member in the gel cup of the supporting member.

98. The method of claim 82, wherein the supporting member comprises a gel cup, comprised of generally molded plastic material, and a ceramic chip substrate, further comprising supporting the moving member in the gel cup of the supporting member.

99. The method of claim 82, wherein the supporting member comprises a ceramic chip substrate, further comprising supporting the moving member on the ceramic chip substrate of the supporting member.

100. The method of claim 82, wherein the supporting element includes a portion which is generally semi-spherical in shape, which includes a recess from which the moving member is adapted to project and to be moveable therein, and a generally rectangular-plate-shaped portion, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member in the recess in the generally semi-spherically shaped portion of the supporting element.

101. The method of claim 82, wherein the moving member and the supporting member are further adapted to support the sensing member so as to isolate the sensing member from the external environment, to prevent current from flowing to the patient, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the sensing element in the moving member and the supporting member so as to isolate the sensing element from the external environment.

102. The method of claim 82, wherein the supporting member includes a plurality of contact pads for receiving a plurality of connectors in a cable from a fetal monitor, further comprising a plurality of wires for connecting the sensing member to the contact pads, and wherein, in the event of the application of a voltage or current exceeding a limit, the wires connecting the sensing member to the contact pads will fail substantially instantaneously, preventing current from flowing to the patient, further comprising substantially instantaneously causing the wires connecting the sensing member to the fetal monitor cable to fail substantially instantaneously in the event of the application of a voltage or current exceeding the limit.

103. The method of claim 82, wherein the sensing member and the supporting member comprise a pressure transducer, and wherein sensing further comprises sensing movement of the moving member in the pressure transducer.

104. The method of claim 83, wherein the supporting member is adapted to be formed as a supporting portion of the supporting element, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member and the sensing member in the supporting portion of the supporting member.

105. The system of claim 83, wherein the supporting member is adapted to be formed as a supporting part which is adapted to extend between the sensing element and the supporting element, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member and the sensing member in the supporting part extending between the sensing element and the supporting member.

106. The method of claim 85, wherein the resistors comprise a balanced resistor network, and wherein sensing further comprises changing the resistance of the balanced resistor network in the sensing member with changes in applied pressure.

107. The method of claim 87, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the width of the moving member to the width of the sensing member, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio of the width of the moving member to the width of the sensing member is substantially minimal.

108. The method of claim 87, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the area of the moving member to the area of the sensing member, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio of the area of the moving member to the area of the sensing member is substantially minimal.

109. The method of claim 89, wherein the flexible material comprises a flexible plastic material, and wherein supporting further comprises maintaining a load on the sensing element in the flexible plastic material supporting element and in the extending element.

110. The method of claim 91,wherein the belt is comprised of generally elastic material, and wherein retaining further comprises retaining the sensing element in position in the generally elastic belt.

111. The method of claim 93, wherein the generally compliant material comprises a generally compliant polymer material, and wherein moving further comprises moving the generally nipple-shaped compliant polymer material force collector.

112. The method of claim 93, wherein the generally compliant material comprises a generally compliant monomer material, and wherein moving further comprises moving the generally nipple-shaped compliant monomer material force collector.

113. The method of claim 93, wherein the generally compliant material comprises a generally low durometer compliant material, and wherein moving further comprises moving the generally nipple-shaped low durometer compliant polymer material force collector.

114. The method of claim 94, wherein the generally non-compliant material comprises a generally non-low durometer non-compliant material, and wherein moving further comprises moving the generally nipple-shaped non-low durometer compliant material force collector.

115. The method of claim 95, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors, and wherein forming further comprises forming the inner portion of the moving member in the wall portion and on the ceramic compensating resistor chip substrate.

116. The method of claim 96, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the width of the outer portion of the moving member to the cross-sectional area of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the width of the outer portion of the moving member to the cross-sectional area of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member is substantially minimal.

117. The method of claim 96, wherein the ratio comprises the ratio of the width of the linear width of the outer portion of the moving member to the linear width of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio of the linear width of the outer portion of the moving member to the linear width of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member is substantially minimal.

118. The method of claim 97, wherein the moving member is formed of a material which is adapted to be dispensed and formed relative to the gel cup, the gel cup includes an adhering portion, adapted to enable the moving member to adhere thereto, and the supporting element includes an extending portion, which is formed relative to the adhering portion, and which is adapted to inhibit the material of which the moving member is formed from flowing substantially beyond the adhering portion, and wherein supporting the moving member in the gel cup further comprises adhering the force collector to the adhering portion of the gel cup, and inhibiting the flow of the moving member substantially beyond the adhering portion of the gel cup.

119. The method of claim 97, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member on the ceramic compensating resistor chip substrate.

120. The method of claim 98, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member on the ceramic compensating resistor chip substrate.

121. The method of claim 99, wherein the ceramic chip substrate includes compensating resistors, and wherein supporting further comprises supporting the moving member on the ceramic compensating resistor chip substrate.

122. The method of claim 104, wherein the sensing member and the supporting portion of the supporting element comprise a pressure transducer, and wherein sensing further comprises sensing movement of the moving member in the pressure transducer.

123. The method of claim 105, wherein the sensing member and the supporting part of the supporting element comprise a pressure transducer, and wherein sensing further comprises sensing movement of the moving member in the pressure transducer.

124. The method of claim 105, further comprising forming the moving member by dispensing the material of which it is comprised from a syringe in drops, and rapidly curing the material with ultraviolet light.

125. The method of claim 106, wherein the balanced resistor network comprises a silicon semi-conductor Wheatstone bridge, and wherein sensing further comprises sensing movement in the silicon semi-conductor Wheatstone bridge of the balanced resistor network.

126. The method of claim 107, wherein the width of the moving member and the width of the sensing member comprises the width in any direction thereof, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio of the width in any direction of the moving member to the width in any direction of the sensing member is substantially minimal.

127. The method of claim 107, wherein the ratio is no greater than about three and one-half to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is no greater than about three and one-half to one.

128. The method of claim 108, wherein the ratio is no greater than about eight to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is no greater than about eight to one.

129. The method of claim 110, wherein the generally elastic material comprises an elastic nylon material, and wherein retaining further comprises retaining the sensing element in position in the generally elastic nylon belt.

130. The method of claim 110, wherein the generally elastic material comprises an elastic polyester material, and wherein retaining further comprises retaining the sensing element in position in the generally elastic polyester belt.

131. The method of claim 116, wherein the cross-sectional area of the width of the outer portion of the moving member comprises the cross-sectional area of the widest width thereof, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the widest width of the outer portion of the moving member to the cross-sectional area of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member is substantially minimal.

132. The method of claim 116, wherein the ratio is no greater than about eight to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is no greater than about eight to one.

133. The method of claim 117, wherein the width of the linear width of the outer portion of the moving member comprises the width of the linear widest width thereof, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio of the linear widest width of the outer portion of the moving member to the linear width of the interface between the outer portion and the inner portion of the moving member is substantially minimal.

134. The method of claim 117, wherein the ratio is no greater than about three and one-half to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is no greater than about three and one-half to one.

135. The method of claim 127, wherein the ratio is about two and one-half to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is about two and one-half to one.

136. The method of claim 132, wherein the ratio is about five to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is about five to one.

137. The method of claim 132, wherein the ratio is about five to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is about five to one.

138. The method of claim 134, wherein the ratio is about two and one-half to one, and wherein forming further comprises forming the moving member such that the ratio is no greater than about two and one-half to one.