Perinatal pulse oximetry sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor for insertion into a uterus that is useful for measuring fetal blood flow characteristics, comprising:
- a deformable outer body, having at least one cavity open to the exterior of the outer body;
a light source secured in the cavity;
a light detector secured in the cavity;
means for connecting the cavity to a vacuum source to create a partial vacuum in the cavity at a predetermined time; and
diffusion means associated with the cavity for diffusing air removed from within the cavity before the air enters the means connecting the cavity to the vacuum source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for use in measuring fetal blood flow characteristics. The apparatus includes a non-invasive pulse oximetry probe that is inserted into the uterus between the fetus and the uterine wall. The probe is deformable and is positively attached to the fetal tissue surface using a vacuum pump which causes the probe to deform from a pre-set curvature to the curvature of the fetal tissue surface and to form a gasket-type seal with the fetal tissue surface. The probe is manually inserted into the uterus using a curved insertion tool, and is shaped to fit through a slightly dilated cervix. In a preferred embodiment, the probe includes fetal and maternal ECG sensors and additional sensing devices, and is provided with apparatus for improving the efficiency of the pulse oximetry optics.
507 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A sensor for insertion into a uterus that is useful for measuring fetal blood flow characteristics, comprising:
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a deformable outer body, having at least one cavity open to the exterior of the outer body; a light source secured in the cavity; a light detector secured in the cavity; means for connecting the cavity to a vacuum source to create a partial vacuum in the cavity at a predetermined time; and diffusion means associated with the cavity for diffusing air removed from within the cavity before the air enters the means connecting the cavity to the vacuum source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for positively attaching a probe sensor apparatus to the fetal tissue surface of an in utero fetus, comprising the steps of:
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bringing the apparatus into contact with the tissue surface of the fetus; suctioning air at a first rate from within a cavity in the apparatus to create a partial vacuum in the cavity; diffusing the air suctioned during the suctioning step across a portion of the apparatus; forming a seal between the apparatus and the fetal tissue surface; and venting air into the cavity at a second rate to provide a flow of air through the cavity while maintaining the partial vacuum in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification