Intrauterine fetal EKG-oximetry cable apparatus

• US 5,154,175 A
• Filed: 03/04/1991
• Issued: 10/13/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ted J. Gunther
• Original Assignee: Ted J. Gunther
• Inventors: Gunther, Ted J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US07/663,688
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 128/633, 128/661.08, 128/661.07, 128/662.03, 128/662.04, 128/665, 128/698, 128/778, 128/632, 128/662.06, 128/664
• US Class Current: 600/325
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/02 Foetus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02411 of foetuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1464 specially adapted for foetal tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/288 for foetal cardiography, e.g. scalp electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4362 Assessing foetal parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

An apparatus including an organization to process signals regarding information to pulse rate and oxygen saturation of arterial blood flow in a fetus. The organization includes guide cable including sensors mounted to a housing, wherein the housing includes an adhesive plate, and the adhesive plate includes a central fetal scalp electrode directed orthogonally and outwardly relative to the fetal scalp between the first and second sensors. The first and second sensors are directed to provide information regarding oxygen saturation and pulse rate readings, while the fetal scalp electrode is directed to an EKG monitoring station.

Claims

1. An intrauterine fetal EKG-oximetry cable apparatus comprising,

an elongate, flexible guide tube, the guide tube formed of an impermeable polymeric material, including a first end and a second end, the first end including a housing of a generally parallelepiped configuration fixedly and orthogonally mounted at the first end of the guide tube, the mounting housing mounting the first end at a rear face of the mounting housing, and the mounting housing including a forward face, with the forward face orthogonally oriented relative to connection of the guide tube at the rear face, and

the forward face including a first red optical sensor cooperative with a second LED sensor directed through the forward face, and

the first sensor and the second sensor including a respective first communication cable and second communication cable directed through the guide tube, and

a resilient elastomeric connector mounted to the second end of the guide tube, with the resilient connector including the first communication cable and the second communication cable directed therethrough adapted for mounting to oximetry analyzing apparatus, and

an adhesive plate surface contiguous with and mounted in surrounding relationship to the first sensor and the second sensor on the housing forward face.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a heart monitoring EKG cable directed through the guide tube and extending exteriorly of the second end of the guide tube adapted for securement to an EKG monitoring system, wherein the EKG cable is directed through the guide tube into the housing.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including a fetal scalp electrode positioned medially of the first sensor and second sensor, with the fetal scalp electrode directed orthogonally of and extending exteriorly of the forward face.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the fetal scalp electrode includes a spiral, coil configuration adapted for securement within a fetus for monitoring fetal heart rate.