CERVICAL DILATION MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

• US 20080188774A1
• Filed: 04/02/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• 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 7,749,176 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 method of measuring cervical dilation, comprising:

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

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

obtaining a cervical dilation measurement based at least in part upon a distance between the first and second extension elements.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

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

measuring a descent position of the baby based at least in part upon a marker on the medical device.

23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising measuring a pressure value of contact between at least one of the first and second fingers and the cervical tissue.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:

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

measuring a pressure value of contact between at least one of the first and second fingers and the baby.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact cervical tissue includes moving the first and second extension elements in a first plane.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising moving the first and second extension elements in a second plane.

27. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact a portion of a calibration element having a predetermined dimension;

measuring a distance between the first and second extension elements when contacting the calibration element; and

calibrating the medical device at least in part by correlating the measured distance between the first and second elements to the predetermined dimension of the calibration element.

34. The method according to claim 27, wherein the first and second extension elements each include an elongated rod operably positionable adjacent to a finger.

35. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

moving a first extension element and a second extension element of a medical device away from each other, where movement of the first and second extension elements is at least partially restricted by a calibration element having a predetermined dimension;

measuring a distance between the first and second extension elements; and

calibrating the medical device at least in part by correlating the measured distance between the first and second elements to the predetermined dimension of the calibration element.

37. The method according to claim 35, further comprising measuring a pressure value of contact between at least one of the first and second fingers and the cervical tissue.

38. The method according to claim 35, further comprising:

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

measuring a pressure value of contact between at least one of the first and second fingers and the baby.

39. The method according to claim 35, further comprising:

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

measuring a descent position of the baby based at least in part upon a marker on the medical device.

28. A method of measuring cervical dilation, comprising:

moving a first extension element and a second extension element of a medical device away from each other in proximity to cervical tissue, wherein the first and second extension elements are pivotably coupled to a base housing;

obtaining a cervical dilation measurement based at least in part upon a distance measured between the first and second extension elements.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

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

measuring a descent position of the baby based at least in part upon a marker on the medical device.

30. The method according to claim 28, further comprising measuring a pressure value of contact between at least a portion of the medical device and the cervical tissue.

31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

positioning at least a portion of the medical device to contact a portion of a baby

measuring a pressure value of contact between at least a portion of the medical device and the baby.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact cervical tissue includes moving the first and second extension elements in a first plane.

33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising moving the first and second extension elements in a second plane.

36. A method of measuring cervical dilation, comprising:

engaging a medical device to a hand, wherein a first elongate rod of the medical device is positioned adjacent to a first finger, and wherein a second elongate rod of the medical device is positioned adjacent to a second finger, such that movement of the first and second fingers causes corresponding movement of the first and second elongate rods;

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

obtaining a cervical dilation measurement based at least in part upon a distance between the first and second elongate rods.