Method and apparatus for monitoring descent of fetus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An improvement in a fetal heartbeat monitor probe for use in a birth canal, said probe having a babyward portion and an outward portion, said probe comprising:
- a probe head, at the babyward portion of the probe, said probe head having a babyward end, the babyward end of said probe head having electrode means for piercingly attaching to a fetus; and
electrical conductor means for connecting with the probe head through the birth canal, a babyward part of which is connected to the probe head, an outward part of which comprises the outward portion of the probe;
the improvement in which;
said conductor means include calibration means for measuring distance from the babyward end of the probe and monitoring the location of the fetus in the birth canal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring the location of a fetus in a birth canal during labor. The conductors of a fetal monitor probe, such as a fetal heartbeat monitor electrode, are marked with calibration means corresponding to predetermined distances from a babyward end of the probe. The babyward end of the probe is attached to the baby. During labor, the position and progress of the fetus in the birth canal may be inferred by observing the calibration means relative to the outer end of the birth canal.
27 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An improvement in a fetal heartbeat monitor probe for use in a birth canal, said probe having a babyward portion and an outward portion, said probe comprising:
-
a probe head, at the babyward portion of the probe, said probe head having a babyward end, the babyward end of said probe head having electrode means for piercingly attaching to a fetus; and electrical conductor means for connecting with the probe head through the birth canal, a babyward part of which is connected to the probe head, an outward part of which comprises the outward portion of the probe; the improvement in which; said conductor means include calibration means for measuring distance from the babyward end of the probe and monitoring the location of the fetus in the birth canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. An improvement in a fetal heartbeat monitor probe for use in a birth canal, said probe having a babyward portion and an outward portion, said probe comprising:
-
a probe head, at the babyward portion of the probe, said probe head having a babyward end, the babyward end of said probe head having wire attachment means for attaching the probe head to a fetus; thin flexible wire conductor means for connecting to the probe head through the birth canal, a babyward part of which conductor means is connected to the probe head, an outward part of which comprises the outward portion of the probe; the improvement in which said conductor means include calibration means for measuring distance from a babyward end of the probe and monitoring the location of the fetus in the birth canal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. In an apparatus for use as a fetal heartbeat monitor probe in a birth canal, said probe having a babyward portion and an outward portion, said probe comprising:
-
a probe head having a sensor, the babyward end of said probe head and wire attachment means for attaching the probe head to a fetus; thin flexible wire conductor means for connecting with the probe head through the birth canal, a babyward end of which is connected to the probe head, an outward part of which comprises the outward portion of the probe; an improvement comprising; calibration means, along said conductor means, including; coded calibration marks, and moveable marking means for attaching to the conductor means with reference to a fixed reference point such as a vaginal introitus, for monitoring the progress of the fetus in the birth canal. - View Dependent Claims (10)
-
Specification