Device for holding medical instrumentation sensors at and upon the cervix os of a human female, particularly for holding the ultrasonic transducers of an ultrasonic transit time, real-time, cervical effacement and dilatation monitor
First Claim
1. A device for holding and retaining one or more medical instrumentation probes at and in contact with the cervix os of a human female, the device comprising:
- a flexible ring means, having a shape retentive memory and exerting a force so as to assume and to maintain a predetermined closed-loop geometric shape, for, when inserted at the top of the vaginal canal and about the cervix os, holding, by its shape-retentive force, position inside and at the top of the vaginal canal and circumferentially around the cervix os; and
an annulus-shaped flexible elastic membrane connected at its outer circumference to the flexible ring means so as to enshroud the cervix Os while presenting a central aperture at the cervical opening through which aperture bodily fluids may be emitted and digital examination of the cervix os may transpire, the membrane being suitably strong so as to hold one or more medical instrumentation probes as are capable of being affixed anywhere upon its surface including at the rim of the central aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane having a shape-retentive memory and exerting a force so as to assume and to maintain a predetermined closed-loop geometric shape, normally a circle, fits circumferentially about the cervix os of a human female so as to hold and retain medical instrumentation probes, preferably two opposed wire-connected ultrasonic transducers of a real-time transit-time ultrasonic monitor of cervical dilatation and effacement. The annular membrane may optionally extend as a tube downwards in the vaginal canal, in the manner of a female diaphragm, as to shield the wires from the walls of the vagina. The membrane expands and contracts with such cyclical variation in the dilatation and effacement of the cervix os as occurs from the earliest onset of labor until imminent childbirth. The membrane holding the transducer probes of an ultrasonic cervimeter may be situated in place about the cervix os for prolonged periods ranging to several months, or may be placed only at the onset of full labor, for monitoring purposes.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device for holding and retaining one or more medical instrumentation probes at and in contact with the cervix os of a human female, the device comprising:
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a flexible ring means, having a shape retentive memory and exerting a force so as to assume and to maintain a predetermined closed-loop geometric shape, for, when inserted at the top of the vaginal canal and about the cervix os, holding, by its shape-retentive force, position inside and at the top of the vaginal canal and circumferentially around the cervix os; and an annulus-shaped flexible elastic membrane connected at its outer circumference to the flexible ring means so as to enshroud the cervix Os while presenting a central aperture at the cervical opening through which aperture bodily fluids may be emitted and digital examination of the cervix os may transpire, the membrane being suitably strong so as to hold one or more medical instrumentation probes as are capable of being affixed anywhere upon its surface including at the rim of the central aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An ultrasonic transit time cervimeter comprising:
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an ultrasonic transmitter in the substantial shape of a three-dimensional, non-planar, body characterized in that ultrasound is emitted from the transmitter along a multiplicity of axis in multiple different directions; an ultrasonic receiver in the substantial shape of a three-dimensional, non-planar, body characterized in that ultrasound is received along a multiplicity of axis from multiple different directions; a flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane means fitting in position about the cervix os and holding the ultrasonic transmitter, and also the ultrasonic receiver, to the wall of the cervix uteri of human female at spaced apart positions so that a straight line ultrasonic acoustic path at least partially through the cervix exists between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver, the path being simultaneously along at least one ultrasound emission axis of the ultrasonic transmitter and at least one ultrasound reception axis of the ultrasonic receiver; an ultrasonic transit time micrometer for detecting a delay in the propagation of ultrasound from the ultrasonic transmitter to the ultrasonic receiver as an indication of the dilatation of the cervix uteri; and electrical wires connecting both the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver in their positions secured to the wall of the cervix by the flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane means to the ultrasonic transit time micrometer. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of monitoring cervical dilatation comprising:
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securing an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver at spaced-apart positions upon a flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane; fitting the flexible elastomeric annulus-shaped membrane in position about the cervix os so as to hold the ultrasonic transmitter, and also the ultrasonic receiver, to the wall of the cervix uteri of human female at spaced apart positions so that a straight line ultrasonic acoustic path at least partially through the cervix exists between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver; energizing the secured ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver with and by an ultrasonic transit time micrometer; detecting the ultrasound propagation transit time from the ultrasonic transmitter to the ultrasonic receiver with and by use of the ultrasonic transit time micrometer in order to provide an indication of the corresponding dilatation of the cervix uteri. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification