Method and device for measuring intrauterine pressure
First Claim
1. A method for measuring intrauterine pressure during pregnancy and during labor prior to the rupture of the amnionic membrane, comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongated catheter having at one end thereof at least one first inflatable membrane and pressure-transmitting means in the form of a second inflatable membrane for making pressure-transmitting contact with the amniotic membrane, said second inflatable membrane being connectable to a pressure monitor, said first inflatable membrane serving for providing anchorage, inside the uterus, for said catheter and purchase for said second inflatable membrane;
introducing the end of said catheter via the vagina and the cervical canal into the lower portion of the uterus;
inflating said first inflatable membrane with a fluid, until said anchorage and said purchase are established;
inflating said second membrane with fluid, and establishing communication between said second membrane and said pressure monitor, andmonitoring said intrauterine pressure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a device for measuring intrauterine pressure during prency and during labor prior to the rupture of the amniotic membrane. The device comprises an elongated catheter having a uterine end and an instrumentation end, and is introducible with its uterine end into the uterus. The catheter has at least one deformable membrane inflatable by means of a fluid, which membrane is fixedly attached to and, in its noninflated state, substantially closely surrounds, a portion of the catheter substantially contiguous with the uterine end. There is also provided pressure-transmitting means located at said uterine end and at least one conduit, leading from a first end located remote from the uterine end to a second end opening to the outside of the catheter at a point within the membrane-surrounded portion. The first end is fittable with first flow-control means. A method for utilizing this device is also described.
90 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for measuring intrauterine pressure during pregnancy and during labor prior to the rupture of the amnionic membrane, comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongated catheter having at one end thereof at least one first inflatable membrane and pressure-transmitting means in the form of a second inflatable membrane for making pressure-transmitting contact with the amniotic membrane, said second inflatable membrane being connectable to a pressure monitor, said first inflatable membrane serving for providing anchorage, inside the uterus, for said catheter and purchase for said second inflatable membrane; introducing the end of said catheter via the vagina and the cervical canal into the lower portion of the uterus; inflating said first inflatable membrane with a fluid, until said anchorage and said purchase are established; inflating said second membrane with fluid, and establishing communication between said second membrane and said pressure monitor, and monitoring said intrauterine pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A device for measuring intrauterine pressure during pregnancy and during labor prior to the rupture of the amniotic membrane, comprising:
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an elongated catheter having a uterine end and an instrumentation end, and being introducible with its uterine end into the uterus; at least one first deformable membane inflatable by means of a fluid, which membrane is fixedly attached to and, in its noninflated state, substantially closely surrounds, a portion of said catheter substantially contiguous with the uterine end thereof, and in its inflated state assumes a substantially toroid shape providing an anchorage for the catheter in the uterus; a second deformable membrane inflatable by means of a fluid and constituting pressure-transmitting means, said second membane being located at said uterine end and disposed externally of said first membrane; and at least one conduit, leading from a first end located remote from said uterine end to a second end opening to the outside of said catheter at a point within said first membrane-surrounded portion, which first end is fittable with first flow-control means. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification