Probe anchor

• US 20040153008A1
• Filed: 12/04/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Barnev Ltd. (My Size, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Barnev Ltd. (My Size, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sharf, Yehuda, Betzalel, Moshe
• Application Number:
  US10/480,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20040153008A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/588
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/02 Foetus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/226 comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02411 of foetuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/288 for foetal cardiography, e.g. scalp electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0866 involving foetal diagnosis; pre-natal or peri-natal diagnosis of the baby
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network

Abstract

A probe anchor that attaches a probe to a tissue adjacent a birth canal, comprising: (a) a soft tissue anchor including a release mechanism; (b) a cable sufficiently pliable that it will not harm a fetus during passage through the birth canal coupled at one end thereof to said release mechanism; and (c) a control coupled to an opposite end of said cable and operative to remotely release said release mechanism using said cable without requiring manual stabilization directly to said anchor.

Claims

1. A probe anchor that attaches a probe to a tissue adjacent a birth canal, comprising:

(a) a soft tissue anchor including a release mechanism;

(b) a cable sufficiently pliable that it will not harm a fetus during passage trough the birth canal coupled at one end thereof to said release mechanism; and

(c) a control coupled to an opposite end of said cable and operative to remotely release said release mechanism using said cable without requiring manual stabilization directly to said anchor.

2. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said release mechanism is mechanically operated.

3. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said release mechanism is electrically operated.

4. A probe anchor according to claim 2 wherein said release mechanism stores a releasing energy and whereby said control releases said energy.

5. A probe anchor according to claim 4 comprising an energy retainer that prevents activation of said releasing energy until its release by said control.

6. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said probe anchor comprises two sections:

(a) an anchor section that connects to said tissue and is adapted for the attachment of a probe section; and

(b) a probe section that attaches to said anchor section.

7. A probe anchor according to claim 6 wherein said anchor section defines a volume suitable for receiving said probe section.

8. A probe anchor according to claim 7 wherein said probe section fits in said volume and is removably coupled to said volume.

9. A probe anchor according to claim 7 wherein said volume comprises one or more resilient projections that restrain said probe section from exiting said volume.

10. A probe anchor according to claim 9 wherein said resilient projections release said probe section from said volume upon application of a probe-displacing force.

11. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said anchor section weakens over time, facilitating its removal from said tissue.

12. A probe anchor according to claim 11 wherein said anchor section partially dissolves over time.

13. A probe anchor according to claim 11 wherein said anchor section completely dissolves over time.

14. A probe anchor according to claim 11 wherein said anchor section deforms over time.

15. A probe anchor according to claim 14 wherein said deformation occurs in response to a temperature change.

16. A probe anchor according to claim 2 wherein pulling said cable away from said anchor activates said mechanical release mechanism.

17. A probe anchor according to claim 2 wherein rotating said cable around its axis in relation to said anchor activates said mechanical release mechanism.

18. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said probe comprises a sensor that monitors said tissue.

19. A probe anchor according to claim 18 wherein said sensor comprises an ultrasound transducer ultrasonically coupled to said anchor section and ultrasonically coupled by said anchor section to said tissue.

20. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said cable comprises a conducting wire.

21. A probe anchor according to claim 20 wherein said conducting wire carries signal data.

22. A probe anchor according to claim 20 wherein said conducting wire is visually coded to indicate function or placement of said conducting wire.

23. A probe anchor according to claim 20 wherein said conducting wire is connected to an antenna that transmits signal data.

24. A probe anchor according to claim 23 wherein said probe comprises an electromagnetic RF transmitter coupled to said antenna.

25. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said anchor section is visually coded to indicate function or placement of said anchor section.

26. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said anchor section is configured so it does not obstruct the birth canal during a birth process.

27. A probe anchor according to claim 1 wherein said anchor section is configured so it does not obstruct manual examination of the birth canal.

28. A probe anchor that attaches a probe to soft tissue adjacent a birth canal, comprising:

(a) an anchor that has a closed position and an open position;

(b) a tension element that urges said anchor toward said open position;

(c) a closure control operative to maintain said anchor in said closed position.

29. A probe according to claim 28 wherein said anchor comprises a wire passed through said tissue when said anchor is in the closed position.

30. A probe according to claim 28 wherein said anchor comprises one or more legs with sharp ends pressed into said tissue when said anchor is in the closed position.

31. A probe according to claim 28 wherein release of said closure control, allowing said anchor to return to the open position, is activated by an extension remote from said anchor.

32. A probe according to claim 28 comprising a tensioning element urging said anchor to be in said closed position.

33. A probe according to claim 28, wherein said anchor is adapted to change from a normal closed to a normally open configuration following attachment of said probe to soft tissue.

34. A probe anchor according to claim 28 wherein said tension element comprises a shape memory polymer.

35. A probe anchor according to claim 34 wherein said shape memory polymer is coupled to a delaying mechanism that delays said opening of said anchor.

36. A probe anchor according to claim 35 wherein said delaying mechanism comprises a material that biodegrades over a period of time during which period it prevents said a shape memory polymer from drawing said anchor into the open position.

37. A probe anchor according to claim 35 wherein said delaying mechanism comprises a material that dissolves in response to an external causative factor.

38. A probe that anchors in soft tissue adjacent a birth canal, comprising:

a probe defining one or more lumens;

a spike element set in each of said one or more lumens with a front end extending out of said lumen; and

a deforming element that deforms in response to temperature increase above a base temperature, connecting said spike to said lumen;

wherein deformation of said deforming element causes said front end of said spike to retract into said lumen.

39. A probe according to claim 38 wherein said lumen includes a delay plug that prevents retraction of said spike element.

40. A probe according to claim 39 wherein said delay plug comprises a material that weakens over a period of time.

41. A probe according to claim 39 wherein said delay plug prevents retraction of said one or more spike elements for a minimum of eight hours.

42. A probe according to claim 39 wherein said delay plug comprises a biodegradable material.

43. A probe according to claim 39 wherein said delay plug comprises a material that degrades in response to an external causative factor.

44. A probe according to claim 43 wherein said external causative factor comprises a compound.

45. A probe according to claim 43 wherein said external causative factor comprises electromagnetic waves.

46. An expanding probe anchor that attaches a probe to soft tissue adjacent a birth canal, comprising:

a probe with an expandable anchor member adapted to be inserted into said soft tissue;

a fluid reservoir containing a fluid, external to said canal and connected to said expandable anchor by a fluid conduit; and

a valve between said reservoir and said anchor that maintains said fluid in said anchor following its flow into said anchor from said reservoir.

47. A probe according to claim 46 wherein said fluid reservoir is flexible and compression of said reservoir causes said fluid to move through said conduit into said anchor member.

48. A probe according to claim 47 wherein movement of said fluid into said anchor member causes expansion of said anchor member.

49. A probe according to claim 46 wherein said anchor member weakens over time and maintains said fluid for a base period of time following which it releases said fluid.

50. A probe according to claim 49 wherein said release occurs following a minimum of eight hours.

51. A probe according to claim 49 wherein said anchor member comprises a material that releases said fluid in response to an external causative factor.

52. A probe according to claim 49 wherein said anchor member comprises a material that releases said fluid in response to a natural biological material contained in said canal.

53. A probe anchor deployment apparatus that attaches a probe anchor to soft tissue adjacent a birth canal, comprising:

(a) an anchor deployment apparatus with a grasping end that grasps a probe;

(b) a probe with an anchor mechanism suitable for attachment to said tissue;

(c) a handle extension extending from said grasping end out of said birth canal; and

(d) a deployment mechanism along said handle extension that deploys said anchor mechanism.

54. Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein said apparatus is adapted to carry two or more probes.

55. Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein said apparatus is adapted to carry two or more probes in a magazine.

56. Apparatus according to claim 54 wherein a second probe moves into said grasping end following deployment of a first probe.

57. Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein said anchor includes a release mechanism and wherein said apparatus is adapted to activate said release mechanism.

58. An adhesive probe anchor, comprising:

an adhesive on said probe that adheres to a mucosal surface adjacent a birth canal with sufficient adherence to resist detachment due to forces generated by the birth process for a base period of time; and

a sensor removably connected to said probe.

59. A probe according to claim 58 wherein said base period comprises a minimum of eight hours.

60. A probe according to claim 59 wherein said adhesive weakens in response to biological compounds naturally contained within said canal.

61. A probe according to claim 59 wherein said adhesive weakens in response to an external causative factor.

62. A sensor according to claim 58 wherein said connection between said sensor and said probe is a mechanical connection.

63. A sensor according to claim 58 wherein said connection between said sensor and said probe is a biodegradable connection that weakens over a base period of time during which it resists detachment due to forces generated by the birth process.

64. A probe according to claim 63 wherein said wherein said base period comprises a minimum of eight hours.

65. A probe according to claim 63 wherein said weakening occurs in response to biological compounds naturally contained within said canal.

66. A probe according to claim 63 wherein said biodegradable connection weakens in response to an external causative factor.

67. A method for securing an anchor, having a base and a curved wire having a point, to the cervix, comprising;

(a) positioning said anchor at a tissue of the cervix such that said base contacts the cervix;

(b) transfixing said cervix with said curved wire, point first, so that said point is covered by said base when said transfixing is completed.

68. A method according to claim 67 wherein said probe anchor comprises an ultrasound transducer ultrasonically coupled to said anchor and attaching comprises attaching said ultrasonically coupled transducer to said cervix.

69. A method for adhering a probe with a sensor to soft tissue adjacent a birth canal and monitoring fetal passage, comprising:

grasping a probe apparatus, including a sensor and an adherent surface that weakens over time;

pressing said adherent surface onto said soft tissue;

monitoring fetal passage through said canal with said sensor; and

confirming the removal of said adherent surface from said soft tissue following its weakening below its adherence threshold.

70. A method according to claim 69 wherein said confirming occurs following a minimum of eight hours of adherence.

71. A method according to claim 69 wherein said weakening occurs in response to biological compounds naturally contained within said canal.

72. A method according to claim 69 wherein said weakening occurs in response to an external causative factor.

73. A method according to claim 69 wherein comprising removing said sensor from said soft tissue prior to said surface falling off said soft tissue.

74. A two part anchor, comprising:

an anchor portion adapted to be anchored to soft tissue and including an attachment element; and

a selectively attachable rider portion adapted to be attached to said attachment element.

75. An anchor according to claim 74, comprising a sensor coupled to said rider portion.

76. An anchor according to claim 74, wherein said anchor portion is adhesive to said soft tissue.

77. An anchor according to claim 74, wherein said anchor portion mechanically attaches to said soft tissue.