Intrauterine monitoring device

• US 5,377,673 A
• Filed: 03/22/1993
• Issued: 01/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis Buonafede, Peter Van Dell
• Original Assignee: Dennis Buonafede, Peter Van Dell
• Inventors: Van Dell, Peter, Buonafede, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GILBERT, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US08/035,045
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 128/632, 128/633, 128/634, 128/642, 128/664, 128/665, 128/670, 128/698, 607/115, 607/116, 607/126-128, 607/138
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/02 Foetus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/035 Intra-uterine probes therefor
• 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 5/4362 Assessing foetal parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6856 with a distal loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

An improved fetal monitoring device which incorporates sensors which permit the monitoring of inutero fetal heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood chemistry and eliminates the collection of such information during maternal contractions.

Claims

1. An intrauterine fetal monitoring device to supply medical information including stages of maternal labor and degrees of fetal distress during delivery, the device comprising:

a laminate sensor pad, said sensor pad having spatially located therein a controlled wavelength light source(CWLS) for transilluminating a fetus'"'"' cutaneous area, a sensor responsive to said CWLS and producing a first signal responding to said transillumination, a transducer for generating a second signal in response to intrauterine pressure during maternal contractions, and a switch means responsive to said second signal for interrupting the first signal during maternal contractions, and a microprocessor, said transducer and said sensor being connected to said microprocessor which delivers the medical information.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said pad has first, second, and third layers, said first layer being a transparent adhesive, said second layer being a transparent film and said third layer being a conforming layer, wherein said CWLS sensor, switch means, and transducer along with interconnecting wires are linearly arranged into said pad between said second and third layers.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said transparent adhesive is a tacky gelatinous mass which is non-fetal irritating, amniotic fluid compatible and removable with water.

4. A fetal monitoring device for supplying medical information on stages of maternal labor and degrees of fetal distress during delivery, the device comprising a releasable lariat formed from controlled flexural modulus lineal members, said lariat having an inner surface, said device further comprising a controlled wavelength light source(CWLS) for transilluminating a fetus'"'"' cutaneous area, a sensor responsive to said CWLS for producing a first signal, a transducer for generating a second signal in response to intrauterine pressure during maternal contractions, and a switch means responsive to said second signal for interrupting the first signal during maternal contractions, said light source, sensor, transducer, and switch means affixed to said inner surface, a microprocessor, said transducer and said sensor being connected to said microprocessor which delivers the medical information, further, said lariat including means for ensnaring a fetus'"'"' extremity to bring the CWLS, sensor, and transducer in contact with the fetus'"'"' extremity.

5. A fetal monitoring device for supplying medical information on fetal blood chemistry and stages of labor, the device comprising a scalp monitor coupled with an intrauterine probe, said monitor having a controlled wavelength light source(CWLS) for transilluminating a fetus'"'"' cutaneous area, a sensor responsive to said CWLS for producing a first signal, a transducer for generating a second signal in response to intrauterine pressure during maternal contractions, and a switch means responsive to said second signal for interrupting the first signal during maternal contractions, further, said monitor including means for mounting on a fetus'"'"' scalp to bring the CWLS, sensor, and transducer in contact with the scalp.