Intrauterine pressure catheter system
First Claim
1. An intrauterine pressure catheter system for monitoring pressure in the uterus of a mother during labor and delivery, said system comprising:
- a disposable catheter including a distal end adapted for insertion in the uterus and having;
(a) a lumen disposed partially inside and along the length of said catheter including first apertures located at said distal end of said catheter receiving fluid both from, and indicative of pressure changes in, the uterus, and(b) a connector mounted on the end of said lumen of said catheter external to the uterus and including an elastomeric plug and a diaphragm, said elastomeric plug and said diaphragm defining an air-filled volume therebetween and said diaphragm communicating the pressure changes indicated by the fluid in said lumen to the air in said air-filled volume while preventing the fluid in said lumen from entering said air-filled volume;
a reusable junction box with an opening and having;
(a) a pressure transducer sensor converting physical pressure signals into corresponding electrical signals, and(b) a hollow needle communicating directly with said sensor on one end and having a pointed opposite end adapted to pierce said elastomeric plug of said connector and enter said air-filled volume between said elastomeric plug and said diaphragm when said connector is removably inserted into said opening of said junction box, said needle communicating the pressure changes of the air in said air-filled volume to said sensor; and
a monitor receiving and displaying said electronic signals from said sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intrauterine pressure catheter system for monitoring pressure in the uterus of a mother during labor and delivery. The system includes a reusable junction box with a needle communicating directly to a pressure transducer sensor. The sensor transmits changes in pressure to a conventional pressure monitor. A connector attached to the catheter is pushed into the junction box and is held in place by a plastic latch. Inside this connector are an elastomeric plug and an adjacent diaphragm. When the connector is installed in the junction box, the needle pierces the plug and the tip enters the air-filled volume between the plug and the diaphragm. Fluid pressure in the catheter is communicated to the diaphragm surface and, in turn, passed to the air in the volume between the diaphragm and the plug. Thus, the intrauterine pressure is transmitted directly to the sensor. The system may be zeroed to atmosphere by simply removing the connector from the junction box.
59 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An intrauterine pressure catheter system for monitoring pressure in the uterus of a mother during labor and delivery, said system comprising:
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a disposable catheter including a distal end adapted for insertion in the uterus and having; (a) a lumen disposed partially inside and along the length of said catheter including first apertures located at said distal end of said catheter receiving fluid both from, and indicative of pressure changes in, the uterus, and (b) a connector mounted on the end of said lumen of said catheter external to the uterus and including an elastomeric plug and a diaphragm, said elastomeric plug and said diaphragm defining an air-filled volume therebetween and said diaphragm communicating the pressure changes indicated by the fluid in said lumen to the air in said air-filled volume while preventing the fluid in said lumen from entering said air-filled volume; a reusable junction box with an opening and having; (a) a pressure transducer sensor converting physical pressure signals into corresponding electrical signals, and (b) a hollow needle communicating directly with said sensor on one end and having a pointed opposite end adapted to pierce said elastomeric plug of said connector and enter said air-filled volume between said elastomeric plug and said diaphragm when said connector is removably inserted into said opening of said junction box, said needle communicating the pressure changes of the air in said air-filled volume to said sensor; and a monitor receiving and displaying said electronic signals from said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification