Fetal sensor device
First Claim
1. A fetal sensor device for measuring biological parameters associated with a fetus, a placenta and a mother of the fetus, comprising:
- means for noninvasively sensing parameters associated with at least one of the health of the fetus, the health of the placenta and of the mother bearing the fetus; and
probe means for inserting said means for sensing within a uterus of the mother, said probe means having a housing and including a flexible distal end portion integrally part of said probe means housing for positioning said means for sensing at a selected location in the mother and said distal end portion further having an independent inclination to assume an outward spiral curvature relative to the fetus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for noninvasively sensing parameters associated with the health of a fetus, the health of the placenta and the mother. The device includes a probe for inserting the sensor within the uterus of the mother, and the probe includes a flexible distal end portion having an independent inclination to assume an outward spiral curvature relative to the fetus. The probe has a transversely concave shaped channel to receive sensor cabling and control wires. The sensors can measure heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, chemical parameters, electroencephalogram activity and other useful parameters. The probe may also be used to infuse or remove fluid in the uterus.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A fetal sensor device for measuring biological parameters associated with a fetus, a placenta and a mother of the fetus, comprising:
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means for noninvasively sensing parameters associated with at least one of the health of the fetus, the health of the placenta and of the mother bearing the fetus; and probe means for inserting said means for sensing within a uterus of the mother, said probe means having a housing and including a flexible distal end portion integrally part of said probe means housing for positioning said means for sensing at a selected location in the mother and said distal end portion further having an independent inclination to assume an outward spiral curvature relative to the fetus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of sensing biologically useful parameters associated with a human fetus, comprising the steps of:
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providing a probe having a housing including a flexible distal end portion and means for sensing the biologically useful parameters; inserting said probe within the uterus of the fetus'"'"' mother to place said means for sensing at a selected location near the fetus; positioning said means for sensing by using said flexible distal end portion having an independent inclination to assume an outward spiral curvature relative to the fetus; and using said means for sensing to measure the biologically useful parameters. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of sensing biologically useful parameters associated with a human fetus, comprising the steps of:
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providing a probe having a housing including a flexible distal end portion and means for sensing the biologically useful parameters; inserting said probe into a natural body cavity of the mother of the human fetus; positioning said means for sensing by using said flexible distal end portion having an independent inclination to assume an outward spiral curvature within the natural body cavity; and activating said means for sensing to measure the biologically useful parameter. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification