Cervical dilation measurement apparatus

• US 20070255185A1
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrapartum LLC
• Original Assignee: Intrapartum Ventures LLC
• Inventors: Baird, Tim, Dubey, Dharmesh
• Granted Patent: US 7,811,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/435 Assessing cervix alteration or dilation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the housing, a second extension element movably coupled to the housing, and a dilation indication mechanism to measure a distance between the first and second extension elements. The medical device may also include a first lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the first finger, a second lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second finger, a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the first finger, and a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the second finger.

Claims

1. A medical device for measuring cervical dilation comprising:

a base element;

a first extension element movably coupled to the base element, wherein the first extension element is movable about the base element in at least two planes of motion;

a second extension element movably coupled to the base element, wherein the second extension element is movable about the base element in at least two planes of motion; and

a control element in communication with either of the base element, first extension element, or second extension element to provide a measurement of a distance between the first and second extension elements.

2. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a first pressure sensor in communication with the control element.

3. The medical device according to claim 2, further comprising a second pressure sensor in communication with the control element.

4. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a first lateral pressure sensor in communication with the control element.

5. The medical device according to claim 4, further comprising a second lateral pressure sensor in communication with the control element.

6. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a glove, wherein the housing and the first and second extension elements are coupled to the glove.

7. The medical device according to claim 6, wherein the glove includes a descent indicator.

8. The medical device according to claim 6, further comprising first and second lateral pressure sensors coupled to the glove and in communication with the control element.

9. The medical device according to claim 6, further comprising first and second finger-tip pressure sensors coupled to the glove and in communication with the control element.

10. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a first cap element coupled to the first extension element, and a second cap element coupled to the second extension element.

11. The medical device according to claim 10, further comprising a first lateral pressure sensor coupled to the first cap element, and a second lateral pressure sensor coupled to the second cap element.

12. The medical device according to claim 10, further comprising a first finger-tip pressure sensor coupled to the first cap element, and a second finger-tip pressure sensor coupled to the second cap element.

13. A medical device for measuring cervical dilation comprising:

a base element;

a first extension element movably coupled to the base element;

a second extension element movably coupled to the base element;

a control element in communication with either of the base element, first extension element, or second extension element to provide a measurement of a distance between the first and second extension elements;

a first lateral pressure sensor in communication with the control element;

a second lateral pressure sensor in communication with the control element;

a third pressure sensor in communication with the control element; and

a fourth pressure sensor in communication with the control element.

14. The medical device according to claim 13, wherein the base element, first extension element, second extension element, first lateral pressure sensor, second lateral pressure sensor, third pressure sensor, and fourth pressure sensor are coupled to a glove.

15. The medical device according to claim 14, wherein the glove includes a descent indicator.

16. The medical device according to claim 13, further comprising a first cap element coupled to the first extension element, and a second cap element coupled to the second extension element.

17. A method of measuring cervical dilation, comprising the steps of:

providing a medical device having a base element, a first extension element movably coupled to the base element; and

a second extension element movably coupled to the base element;

positioning the medical device about a hand such that at least a portion of the base element is in between a first and second finger of the hand, wherein at least a portion of the first extension element is coupled to the first finger and at least a portion of the second extension is coupled to the second finger;

positioning the hand and medical device proximate a cervical location desired to be measured;

positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact cervical tissue; and

obtaining a measurement of a distance between the first and second fingers.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the medical device further includes a descent indicator, further comprising the steps of:

positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact a portion of a baby; and

measuring a descent position of the baby with the descent indicator.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the medical device further includes at least one pressure sensor, further comprising the step of providing a pressure measurement of contact with the cervical tissue.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the medical device further includes at least one pressure sensor, further comprising the step of providing a pressure measurement of contact with the baby.