Vacuum extraction monitoring with existing fetal heart rate monitors

• US 20040010266A1
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medevco Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medevco Inc.
• Inventors: George, Vince L., Kennard, Robert M., Vines, Darrell L., VanHooydonk, Neil C., Vines, Victor L.
• Application Number:
  US10/618,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20040010266A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/123
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/442 without pivotal connections, e.g. using vacuum

Abstract

The invention provides technical advantages as a system, device and method that enables a fetal extraction monitor that is used to monitor fetal heart rates to also monitor a vacuum pressure in a vacuum device.

Claims

1. A vacuum extraction monitoring system for aiding a person who is assisting with fetal extraction, comprising:

a suction device that is enabled for vacuum attachment to a fetus;

a pump that is capable of producing a vacuum pressure;

a tubing that fluidly couples the suction device to the pump;

a means for detecting a vacuum pressure coupled to the suction device, and

a fetal monitor for automatically displaying a vacuum pressure, the fetal monitor being coupled to the means for detecting a vacuum pressure.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting a vacuum pressure is adapted to enable the vacuum device to display a vacuum pressure.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting a vacuum pressure comprises a transducer that converts the detected vacuum pressure into an output voltage in a range that the fetal monitor can process and display on trace paper.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the output voltage is four microvolts per centimeter of mercury per excitation volt provided by the fetal monitor.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the output voltage is four micro volts per measure equivalent to a centimeter of mercury per excitation volt provided by the fetal monitor.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the pump is a hand powered pump.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an output voltage adapter that converts a detected tension force into an output voltage that is in a range that the fetal monitor can process and display on trace paper.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the output voltage is about four microvolts per pound of tension force per excitation volt.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the fetal monitor is internally adapted to display a measured tension force.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a switch coupled between the suction device and the fetal monitor. The system of claim 10 wherein the switch is at least a two input switch.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the switch is adapted to receive an IJPC connection, an EUMD connection, and a vacuum device connection.

12. A method of aiding a person who is assisting with fetal extraction, comprising:

attaching a suction device to a fetus by placing the vacuum device on the fetus and then inducing a vacuum pressure in the suction device;

detecting the vacuum pressure; and

automatically displaying the vacuum pressure on a fetal monitor.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein detecting the vacuum pressure is accomplished with a transducer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the transducer includes a WHEAT STONE BRIDGE.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising detecting a traction force.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising displaying the traction force on the fetal monitor.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the traction force and the vacuum pressure are displayed simultaneously on the same graph on the same trace paper on the fetal monitor.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the traction force and the vacuum pressure are displayed on separate graphs on trace paper of the fetal monitor.