Child-birth assisting system
First Claim
1. A system for assisting in childbirth comprising:
- a girdle having at least one inflatable bladder adapted to be positioned over a patient'"'"'s abdomen for applying pressure to the abdomen;
an air source for providing air for inflating said inflatable bladder;
an intrauterine pressure monitor for generating an electrical signal indicative of the patient'"'"'s contractions;
an automatic controller means in electrical communication with said intrauterine pressure monitor for controlling the inflation and deflation of said at least one inflatable bladder in response to said electrical signal wherein the pressure is increased to a target intrauterine pressure at the onset of a contraction and decreased after the contraction is over, said automatic controller means having means for receiving and controlling air from said air source for inflating said inflatable bladder; and
tubing having a first end attached to said girdle and a second end attached to said automatic controller means for conducting air between said girdle and said automatic controller means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The childbirth-assisting device uses an automatically synchronized expandable pneumatic girdle-to externally augment the secondary force of labor. The pneumatic girdle is fitted around the abdomen of the woman and the girdle is inflated to create a downward pressure on the abdomen when a contraction occurs. The synchronization of the girdle'"'"'s inflation and the contractions is provided by an electronic controller which receives a signal from an intra-uterine monitor indicating a contraction and causes the girdle to inflate at a certain rate until a preset intra-uterine pressure is attained. Once the intra-uterine pressure reaches the pre-set pressure, the girdle pressure is maintained until the offset of the contraction is detected, at which time the girdle is deflated.
32 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for assisting in childbirth comprising:
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a girdle having at least one inflatable bladder adapted to be positioned over a patient'"'"'s abdomen for applying pressure to the abdomen; an air source for providing air for inflating said inflatable bladder; an intrauterine pressure monitor for generating an electrical signal indicative of the patient'"'"'s contractions; an automatic controller means in electrical communication with said intrauterine pressure monitor for controlling the inflation and deflation of said at least one inflatable bladder in response to said electrical signal wherein the pressure is increased to a target intrauterine pressure at the onset of a contraction and decreased after the contraction is over, said automatic controller means having means for receiving and controlling air from said air source for inflating said inflatable bladder; and tubing having a first end attached to said girdle and a second end attached to said automatic controller means for conducting air between said girdle and said automatic controller means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification