Fetal Scalp Blood Analyzer

• US 20110196214A1
• Filed: 12/07/2010
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kathleen Edmunds
• Original Assignee: Kathleen Edmunds
• Inventors: EDMUNDS, Kathleen
• Application Number:
  US12/962,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20110196214A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/02 Foetus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150412 Pointed piercing elements, e.g. needles, lancets for piercing the skin blade-like piercing elements A61B5/150442
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15113 Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15196 semi-automatically retracted, i.e. in which the retraction of the piercing unit requires a deliberate action by the user such as manual release of spring-biased retraction means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood

Abstract

A hand-held analyzer for collecting a sample of blood from the scalp of a fetus and measuring the pH or other blood characteristic of the blood sample. The analyzer includes a probe with a proximal end and a gasket that facilitate a firm and positive placement of the probe against the scalp. The probe includes a capillary tube for collecting blood and an extensible lancet which at rest is positioned within the capillary tube. During operation, the lancet is extended to make an incision in the scalp. The lancet then retreats, and blood flows into the capillary tube. Sensors for measuring pH are in liquid communication with the capillary tube. A display on or near the hand-held analyzer shows a readout of the fetal scalp blood pH or other blood characteristic. Measuring the pH of the fetal scalp blood in utero can provide early detection of acidosis and likely hypoxia.

Claims

1. A fetal scalp blood analyzer comprising

a probe tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and central longitudinal axis, said probe tube being fabricated from a substantially transparent material, said probe tube defining an aperture at said proximal end of said probe tube,

a capillary tube adapted to collect a sample of blood, said capillary tube being positioned within said probe tube,

an extensible lancet adapted to produce an incision in the scalp for the purpose of drawing blood from the scalp, said lancet being positioned within said capillary tube,

a blood sensor adapted to detect the presence of blood, said blood sensor being in liquid communication with the interior of said capillary tube, and

a pH sensor adapted to measure the pH of blood, said sensor being in liquid communication with the interior of said capillary tube.

2. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 1 further comprising a display in communication with said blood sensor and said pH sensor, said display being adapted to show confirmation of the presence of blood as detected by said blood sensor and being adapted to show pH as measured by said pH sensor.

3. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 2 wherein said display is a digital display.

4. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 2 wherein said display includes a series of colored lights.

5. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 1 wherein said proximal end of said probe tube includes a gasket adapted to facilitate secure placement of said probe tube against the scalp.

6. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 5 wherein said gasket is made of rubber.

7. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 5 wherein said gasket is made of an elastic polymer.

8. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 5 further comprising a display in communication with said blood sensor and said pH sensor, said display being adapted to show confirmation of the presence of blood as detected by said blood sensor and being adapted to show pH as measured by said pH sensor.

9. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 8 wherein said display is a digital display.

10. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 8 wherein said display includes a series of colored lights.

11. A fetal scalp blood analyzer comprising

a probe tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and central longitudinal axis, said probe tube defining an aperture at the proximal end of said probe tube, said proximal end of probe tube including a gasket adapted to facilitate secure placement of said probe tube against the scalp,

a capillary tube adapted to collect a sample of blood through said aperture, said capillary tube being positioned within said probe tube and extending along said central longitudinal axis of said probe tube,

an extensible lancet adapted to produce an incision in the scalp for the purpose of drawing blood from the scalp, said lancet being disposed within said capillary tube, and

a sensor adapted to measure a blood characteristic, said sensor being in liquid communication with said capillary tube.

12. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 11 wherein said blood characteristic is the level of lactose in the blood.

13. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 11 wherein said blood characteristic is the count of platelets in the blood.

14. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 11 further comprising a display in communication with said sensor, said display being adapted to display said blood characteristic as measured by said sensor.

15. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 14 wherein said display is a digital display.

16. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 14 wherein said display includes a series of colored lights.

17. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 11 wherein said gasket is made of rubber.

18. The fetal scalp blood analyzer of claim 11 wherein said gasket is made of an elastic polymer.