CERVICAL DILATION MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

• US 20080114268A1
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Published: 05/15/2008
• 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 7,654,970 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/588
• 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

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A medical device for measuring cervical dilation comprising:

a base housing;

a first extension element movably coupled to the base housing;

a second extension element movably coupled to the base housing;

a dilation indication mechanism coupled to at least one of the base housing, first extension element, and second extension element to provide a measurement of a distance between the first and second extension elements; and

a first pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of a finger;

a second pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of a finger;

a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip surface of a finger; and

a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip surface of a finger.

22. The medical device according to claim 21, wherein the base element, first extension element, second extension element, first pressure sensor, second pressure sensor, third pressure sensor, and fourth pressure sensor are mounted to a glove.

23. The medical device according to claim 22, wherein the glove includes a descent indicator.

24. The medical device according to claim 21, further comprising a first cap element coupled to the first extension element, and a second cap element coupled to the second extension element, the cap elements able to receive a portion of a finger therein.

25. The medical device according to claim 24, wherein the first and third pressure sensors are mounted on the first cap element, and wherein the second and fourth pressure sensors are mounted on the second cap element.

26. The medical device according to claim 21, wherein the base housing defines a substantially spherical body positionable between two fingers.

27. The medical device according to claim 21, wherein each of the first and second extension elements includes an elongated rod.

28. The medical device according to claim 21, wherein the dilation indication mechanism includes a processor in electrical communication with at least one of the base housing, first extension element, and second extension element.

29. The medical device according to claim 28, wherein the processor is in electrical communication with at least one of the pressure sensors.

30. The medical device according to claim 21, wherein each of the first and second extension elements are movable about the base housing in at least two planes of motion.

31. A medical device for measuring cervical dilation comprising:

a substantially spherical base housing;

a first elongated rod movably coupled to the base housing;

a second elongated rod movably coupled to the base housing, wherein each of the first and second extension elements are movable about the base housing in at least two planes of motion;

a dilation indication mechanism coupled to at least one of the base housing, first extension element, and second extension element to provide a measurement of a distance between the first and second elongated rods; and

a first pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of a finger;

a second pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of a finger;

a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip surface of a finger; and

a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip surface of a finger.

32. The medical device according to claim 31, wherein the dilation indication mechanism includes a processor in electrical communication with at least one of the base housing, first elongated rod, and second elongated rod.

33. The medical device according to claim 32, wherein the processor is in electrical communication with at least one of the pressure sensors.

34. A medical device for measuring cervical dilation comprising:

a glove defining a plurality of cavities for the placement of fingers therein;

a base housing coupled to the glove substantially between a first and second cavity of the glove;

a first extension element movably coupled to the base housing and at least partially positioned in the first cavity;

a second extension element movably coupled to the base housing and at least partially positioned in the first cavity;

a controller electrically coupled to at least one of the base housing, first extension element, and second extension element to provide a measurement of a distance between the first and second extension elements; and

a first pressure sensor positioned about a side surface of the first cavity and in electrical communication with the controller;

a second pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second cavity and in electrical communication with the controller;

a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip surface of the first cavity and in electrical communication with the controller; and

a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip surface of the second cavity and in electrical communication with the controller.

35. The medical device according to claim 34, wherein the glove includes a descent indicator.

36. The medical device according to claim 34, wherein the base housing defines a substantially spherical body.

37. The medical device according to claim 34, wherein each of the first and second extension elements include an elongated rod.

38. The medical device according to claim 34, wherein each of the first and second extension elements are movable about the base housing in at least two planes of motion.