Intrauterine pressure catheter interface cable system

• US 20060073728A1
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Low, Stewart W., Zaiken, Eliot J., Toomey, MaryJo A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,491,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/222 Electrical cables or leads therefor, e.g. coaxial cables or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/035 Intra-uterine probes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/28 Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer EMC, EMP or similar testing of electronic circuits G01R31/002; testing for short-circuits, discontinuities, leakage or incorrect line connection G01R31/50; checking computers or computer components G06F11/00; checking static stores for correct operation G11C29/00 ; testing receivers or transmitters of transmission systems H04B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/326 comprising pressure sensing means

Abstract

An interface cable system for providing electrical interconnection between an intrauterine pressure catheter system and a monitoring system is provided. The interface cable system includes a first connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between the interface cable system and the intrauterine pressure catheter system and a second connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between the interface cable system and the monitoring system. The interface cable system also includes a plurality of conductors extending between said first connector and said second connector and a switching element for configuring the interface cable system to provide, upon operation of the switching element, a time period in which a zeroing operation of the intrauterine pressure catheter system may be performed. The interface cable system also includes an indicator for indicating that the switching element has been operated, thereby indicating that the zeroing operation may be performed during the time period.

Claims

1. An interface cable system for providing electrical interconnection between an intrauterine pressure catheter system and a monitoring system, the monitoring system receiving a pressure measurement from the intrauterine pressure catheter system via said interface cable system, said interface cable system comprising:

a first connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between said interface cable system and the intrauterine pressure catheter system;

a second connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between said interface cable system and the monitoring system;

a plurality of conductors extending between said first connector and said second connector;

a switching element for configuring said interface cable system to provide, upon operation of said switching element, a time period in which a zeroing operation of the intrauterine pressure catheter system may be performed; and

an indicator for indicating that the switching element has been operated, thereby indicating that the zeroing operation may be performed during the time period.

2. The interface cable system of claim 1 wherein said switching element short-circuits at least two of said conductors through the operation of said switching element, said at least two conductors being signal carrying conductors for carrying a signal related to an intrauterine pressure measured by the intrauterine pressure catheter system.

3. The interface cable system of claim 1 wherein said switching element is integrated with said second connector.

4. The interface cable system of claim 1 wherein said indicator is integrated with said second connector.

5. The interface cable system of claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a light source, said light source flashing at a predetermined frequency during the time period through the operation of said switching element.

6. The interface cable system of claim 1 additionally comprising a test plug configured to be coupled to said first connector when said first connector is not coupled to the intrauterine pressure catheter system, said test plug being configured to be used to determine if said interface cable system is functioning properly.

7. The interface cable system of claim 6 wherein said indicator includes a light source, said light source being illuminated if it is determined that said interface cable system is functioning properly.

8. The interface cable system of claim 6 wherein said second connector includes circuitry for determining if said interface cable system is functioning properly.

9. The interface cable system of claim 8 wherein the monitoring system provides power to operate the circuitry.

10. The interface cable system of claim 8 wherein a battery included in the second connector provides power to operate the circuitry.

11. The interface cable system of claim 1 wherein said switching element is a momentary switch.

12. An interface cable system for providing electrical interconnection between an intrauterine pressure catheter system and a monitoring system, the monitoring system receiving a pressure measurement from the intrauterine pressure catheter system via the interface cable system, said interface cable system comprising:

a first connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between said interface cable system and the intrauterine pressure catheter system;

a second connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between said interface cable system and the monitoring system;

a plurality of conductors extending between said first connector and said second connector;

a test plug configured to be coupled to said first connector when said first connector is not coupled to the intrauterine pressure catheter system, said test plug being used to determine if said interface cable system is functioning properly; and

an indicator for providing an indication if it is determined that said interface cable system is functioning properly.

13. The interface cable system of claim 12 wherein said indicator includes a light source, said light source being illuminated if it is determined that said interface cable system is functioning properly.

14. The interface cable system of claim 12 wherein said second connector includes circuitry for determining if said interface cable system is functioning properly.

15. The interface cable system of claim 14 wherein the monitoring system provides power to operate the circuitry.

16. The interface cable system of claim 14 wherein a battery included in the second connector provides power to operate the circuitry.

17. The interface cable system of claim 12 additionally comprising a switching element for configuring said interface cable system to provide, upon operation of said switching element, a time period during which a zeroing operation of the intrauterine pressure catheter system may be performed.

18. The interface cable system of claim 17 wherein said indicator is configured to indicate that the switching element has been operated, thereby indicating that the zeroing operation may be performed during the time period.

19. The interface cable system of claim 17 wherein said switching element short-circuits at least two of said conductors through the operation of said switching element, said at least two conductors being signal carrying conductors for carrying a signal related to an intrauterine pressure measured by the intrauterine pressure catheter system.

20. The interface cable system of claim 17 wherein said switching element is integrated with said second connector.

21. The interface cable system of claim 12 wherein said indicator is integrated with said second connector.

22. The interface cable system of claim 17 wherein said indicator includes a light source.

23. The interface cable system of claim 22 wherein said light source is configured flash at a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined period through the momentary activation of said switching element.

24. The interface cable system of claim 17 wherein said switching element is a momentary switch.

25. A method of performing a zeroing operation on an intrauterine pressure catheter system, said method comprising the steps of:

providing interconnection between the intrauterine pressure catheter system and a monitoring system via an interface cable system;

operating a switching element included in the interface cable system to provide a time period during which a zeroing operation of the intrauterine pressure catheter system may be performed;

providing an indication that the switching element has been momentarily operated, thereby indicating that the zeroing operation may be performed; and

zeroing the intrauterine pressure catheter system.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of momentarily activating a switching element includes short-circuiting at least two of a plurality of conductors included in the interface cable system, the at least two conductors being signal carrying conductors for carrying a signal related to an intrauterine pressure measured by the intrauterine pressure catheter system.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of providing an indication includes flashing a light source at a predetermined frequency for the time period, the light source being included as a component of the interface cable system.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein said operating step includes operating a momentary switch.

29. A method of verifying the functionality of an interface cable system, the interface cable system providing electrical interconnection between an intrauterine pressure catheter system and a monitoring system, said method comprising the steps of:

coupling a test plug included as a component of the interface cable system to a connector of the interface cable system, the connector being configured to be coupled to the intrauterine pressure catheter system when the interface cable system is used to transmit a pressure signal from the intrauterine pressure catheter system to the monitoring system;

determining if the interface cable system is functioning properly; and

providing, if it is determined that the interface cable system is functioning properly, an indication thereof.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said determining step includes determining if the interface cable system is functioning properly using circuitry included in the interface cable system.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of:

powering the circuitry through a power source of the monitoring system.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of:

powering the circuitry through a battery included in the interface cable system.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein said providing step includes illuminating a light source included as part of the interface cable system if it is determined that the interface cable system is functioning properly.