Transducer-tipped intrauterine pressure catheter system
First Claim
1. An intrauterine pressure catheter system for measuring the pressure in the uterus of a woman in labor and delivering a signal representative of intrauterine pressure to an external monitor, said system comprising:
- a disposable, firm, flexible catheter having;
(a) a first end,(b) a second end,(c) a cable lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with a vent hole emanating from said cable lumen proximate said second end of said catheter, and(d) an amnio lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with at least one amnio port emanating from said amnio lumen proximate said first end of said catheter;
a disposable, asymmetric tip affixed to said first end of said catheter with an undercut resisting slippage of said catheter following insertion into the uterus, said tip having a width greater than its height and tapering to an apex opposite said first end of said catheter;
a disposable pressure sensor fixed and rigidly mounted in said tip affixed to said catheter, said pressure sensor measuring intrauterine pressure;
a disposable first connector affixed to said second end of said catheter;
a disposable leadwire cable carried in said cable lumen of said catheter and electrically connecting said pressure sensor to said first connector; and
a reusable monitor cable having a first end, a second end, a second connector on said first end of said monitor cable adapted to engage said first connector, and a monitor connector on said second end of said monitor cable adapted to engage the monitor, said monitor cable transmitting electrical signals from said first connector to the monitor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transducer-tipped intrauterine pressure catheter system for measuring, and delivering to an external monitor a signal representative of, the pressure in the uterus of a woman in labor. The system has a disposable catheter with an affixed asymmetric tip. A disposable, slotted, C-shaped introducer engages and positions the catheter. A reusable monitor cable has a second connector (which engages a first connector on the end of the catheter) on one end and a monitor connector (which engages the monitor) on its opposite end; the monitor cable transmits electrical signals from the first connector to the monitor. A test member is proximate the monitor connector on the monitor cable. The test member includes test circuitry assuring that the monitor cable, the second connector, and the monitor connector are operational. The test member also includes circuitry to "zero" the system. The system may also have a disposable luer fitting engaging the amnio lumen of the catheter and providing direct communication, through the amnio lumen, into the uterus. The luer fitting allows fluid samples to be withdrawn from, and fluids to be infused into, the uterus. An anti-bacterial coating may be bonded to the catheter, the tip affixed to the catheter, and the introducer.
150 Citations
44 Claims
-
1. An intrauterine pressure catheter system for measuring the pressure in the uterus of a woman in labor and delivering a signal representative of intrauterine pressure to an external monitor, said system comprising:
-
a disposable, firm, flexible catheter having; (a) a first end, (b) a second end, (c) a cable lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with a vent hole emanating from said cable lumen proximate said second end of said catheter, and (d) an amnio lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with at least one amnio port emanating from said amnio lumen proximate said first end of said catheter; a disposable, asymmetric tip affixed to said first end of said catheter with an undercut resisting slippage of said catheter following insertion into the uterus, said tip having a width greater than its height and tapering to an apex opposite said first end of said catheter; a disposable pressure sensor fixed and rigidly mounted in said tip affixed to said catheter, said pressure sensor measuring intrauterine pressure; a disposable first connector affixed to said second end of said catheter; a disposable leadwire cable carried in said cable lumen of said catheter and electrically connecting said pressure sensor to said first connector; and a reusable monitor cable having a first end, a second end, a second connector on said first end of said monitor cable adapted to engage said first connector, and a monitor connector on said second end of said monitor cable adapted to engage the monitor, said monitor cable transmitting electrical signals from said first connector to the monitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A disposable, asymmetric tip adapted to be affixed to a catheter to be inserted into the cavity of a patient, said tip comprising:
-
an undercut resisting slippage of said tip and the catheter following insertion of said tip and the catheter into the cavity; a height tapering to an apex opposite the catheter; a width greater than said height and tapering to said apex opposite the catheter; and a length. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An intrauterine pressure catheter system for measuring the pressure in the uterus of a woman in labor and delivering a signal representative of intrauterine pressure to an external monitor, said system comprising:
-
a disposable, firm, flexible catheter having; (a) a first end, (b) a second end, (c) a cable lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with a vent hole emanating from said cable lumen proximate said second end of said catheter, and (d) an amnio lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with at least one amnio port emanating from said amnio lumen proximate said first end of said catheter; a disposable tip affixed to said first end of said catheter; a disposable introducer engaging and manipulating said catheter, said introducer having; (a) a bottom with a thickness and a longitudinal slot disposed along the entire length of said bottom, (b) a top with a thickness greater than the thickness of said bottom, (c) a pair of side walls each with a thickness that transitions between the thickness of said top and the thickness of said bottom, said introducer defining a C-shaped cross section; a disposable pressure sensor fixed and rigidly mounted in said tip affixed to said catheter, said pressure sensor measuring intrauterine pressure; a disposable first connector affixed to said second end of said catheter; a disposable leadwire cable carried in said cable lumen of said catheter and electrically connecting said pressure sensor to said first connector; and a reusable monitor cable having a first end, a second end, a second connector on said first end of said monitor cable adapted to engage said first connector, and a monitor connector on said second end of said monitor cable adapted to engage the monitor, said monitor cable transmitting electrical signals from said first connector to the monitor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. An introducer adapted to engage and manipulate a catheter to be inserted into the cavity of a patient, said introducer comprising:
-
a bottom with a thickness and a longitudinal slot disposed along the entire length of said bottom; a top with a thickness greater than the thickness of said bottom; and a pair of side walls each with a thickness that transitions between the thickness of said top and the thickness of said bottom, said introducer defining a C-shaped cross section. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37. An intrauterine pressure catheter system for measuring the pressure in the uterus of a woman in labor and delivering a signal representative of intrauterine pressure to an external monitor, said system comprising:
-
a disposable, firm, flexible catheter having; (a) a first end, (b) a second end, (c) a cable lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with a vent hole emanating from said cable lumen proximate said second end of said catheter, and (d) an amnio lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with at least one amnio port emanating from said amnio lumen proximate said first end of said catheter; a disposable tip affixed to said first end of said catheter; a disposable pressure sensor fixed and rigidly mounted in said tip affixed to said catheter, said pressure sensor measuring intrauterine pressure; a disposable first connector affixed to said second end of said catheter; a disposable leadwire cable carried in said cable lumen of said catheter and electrically connecting said pressure sensor to said first connector; and a reusable monitor cable having; (a) a first end, (b) a second end, (c) a second connector on said first end of said monitor cable adapted to engage said first connector, (d) a monitor connector on said second end of said monitor cable adapted to engage the monitor, said monitor cable transmitting electrical signals from said first connector to the monitor, and (e) a test member on said monitor cable proximate said monitor connector, said test member including terminals adapted to engage said second connector and test circuitry adapted to assure that said monitor cable, said second connector, and said monitor connector are operational. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
-
44. An intrauterine pressure catheter system for measuring the pressure in the uterus of a woman in labor and delivering a signal representative of intrauterine pressure to an external monitor, said system comprising:
-
a disposable, firm, flexible catheter having; (a) a first end, (b) a second end, (c) a cable lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with a vent hole emanating from said cable lumen proximate said second end of said catheter, and (d) an amnio lumen longitudinally traversing the inside of said catheter from said first end to said second end with at least one amnio port emanating from said amnio lumen proximate said first end of said catheter; a disposable, asymmetric tip affixed to said first end of said catheter with an undercut resisting slippage of said catheter following insertion into the uterus, said tip having a width greater than its height and tapering to an apex opposite said first end of said catheter; a disposable introducer engaging and manipulating said catheter, said introducer having; (a) a bottom with a thickness and a longitudinal slot disposed along the entire length of said bottom, (b) a top with a thickness greater than the thickness of said bottom, (c) a pair of side walls each with a thickness that transitions between the thickness of said top and the thickness of said bottom, said introducer defining a C-shaped cross section; a disposable pressure sensor fixed and rigidly mounted in said tip affixed to said catheter, said pressure sensor measuring intrauterine pressure; a disposable first connector affixed to said second end of said catheter; a disposable leadwire cable carried in said cable lumen of said catheter and electrically connecting said pressure sensor to said first connector; and a reusable monitor cable having; (a) a first end, (b) a second end, (c) a second connector on said first end of said monitor cable adapted to engage said first connector, (d) a monitor connector on said second end of said monitor cable adapted to engage said monitor, said monitor cable transmitting electrical signals from said first connector to said monitor, and (e) a test member on said monitor cable proximate said monitor connector, said test member including terminals adapted to engage said second connector and test circuitry adapted to assure that said monitor cable, said second connector, and said monitor connector are operational.
-
Specification