DEVICE FOR IMPROVED EXTERNAL FETAL MONITORING

• US 20100292576A1
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jennifer Krispi
• Original Assignee: Jennifer Krispi
• Inventors: Krispi, Jennifer
• Granted Patent: US 8,568,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/02 Measuring pulse or heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0866 involving foetal diagnosis; pre-natal or peri-natal diagnosis of the baby
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4236 characterised by adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue

Abstract

The present invention described herein is a soft, pliable, cushioning device to be used in conjunction with ultrasound and toco transducers during external fetal monitoring. The device can be shaped to fit the transducers and can easily attach and detach with the transducers via an adhesive layer. The device provides comfort to the patient and improved continuity of the transducers'"'"' readings during external fetal monitoring. The device can be a single-use application or reusable.

Claims

1. A device for use with a transducer during external fetal monitoring comprising:

at least one layer comprised of a cushioning material; and

an adhesive layer attached with said layer of cushioning material, wherein said adhesive layer removably attaches with said transducer;

whereby said external fetal monitoring is accomplished with greater comfort for a woman and said device allows for continuous transducer readings when said device is attached with said transducer during external fetal monitoring.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device further comprises an aperture therethrough.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said device further comprises:

a cutout portion comprised of said cushioning material, wherein said cutout portion is equal to or less than the size of said aperture; and

an adhesive layer attached with said cutout portion, wherein said adhesive layer removably attaches with said transducer;

whereby said external fetal monitoring is accomplished with greater comfort for a woman and said device allows for continuous transducer readings when said device is attached with said transducer during external fetal monitoring.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein an exterior edge of said at least one layer of cushioning material further comprises at least one notch therethrough.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of cushioning material is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyether and a polyurethane material.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a backing layer removably attached with said adhesive layer.

7. An external fetal monitoring system, wherein said external fetal monitoring system comprises:

a transducer, wherein said transducer comprises at least one sensor element and an insulating layer; and

the device of claim 1,

whereby said external fetal monitoring is accomplished with greater comfort for a woman and said device allows for continuous transducer readings when said device is attached with said transducer during external fetal monitoring.

8. An external fetal monitoring system, wherein said external fetal monitoring system comprises:

a transducer, wherein said transducer comprises at least one sensor element and an insulating layer; and

the device of claim 3,

whereby said external fetal monitoring is accomplished with greater comfort for a woman and said device allows for continuous transducer readings when said device is attached with said transducer during external fetal monitoring.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said device further comprises an aperture therethrough.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one layer of cushioning material is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyether and a polyurethane material.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said device further comprises a backing layer removably attached with said adhesive layer.

12. An external fetal monitoring system for use with a patient for monitoring a fetus, wherein said external fetal monitoring system comprises:

a transducer, wherein said transducer further comprises a ring having an interior circumference and an exterior edge, at least one sensor element, and an insulating layer shielding said patient from electrical shock located at least partially within said interior circumference of said ring; and

a cushioning layer distributed about said exterior edge of said ring,

whereby said monitoring of said fetus is accomplished with greater comfort for a woman and with continuous transducer readings.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said cushioning layer further comprises an aperture therethrough.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said cushioning layer is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyether and a polyurethane material.