Apparatus and method for sensing oxygen levels in a fetus

• US 6,175,751 B1
• Filed: 03/16/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allen Maizes
• Original Assignee: Allen Maizes
• Inventors: Maizes, Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US09/268,632
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/313, 600/322, 600/323, 600/338, 600/340, 600/341
• US Class Current: 600/338
• 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 5/6853 with a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

An apparatus for sensing fetal oxygen levels of a fetus in an uterus. The apparatus includes a tube, a balloon, and as optical sensor. The tube includes an inflation lumen. The inflation lumen has a distal end. The balloon is coupled to the distal end of the inflation lumen. The balloon includes a first membrane. The optical sensor unit is disposed on the first membrane.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sensing oxygen levels of a fetus in a uterus having a uterine wall, comprising:

a tube including an inflation lumen, said inflation lumen having a distal end;

a balloon coupled to the distal end of said inflation lumen, said balloon including a first membrane; and

an optical sensor unit disposed on the first membrane and capable of sensing the oxygen levels of the fetus through the uterine wall and a body cavity wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tube further includes a drainage lumen having an opening substantially adjacent to said balloon.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balloon is made of an elastomeric material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balloon is made of silicone.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor further includes:

a source;

a first receiver; and

a second receiver.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said balloon has an inflated configuration, the first membrane having a substantially concave exterior wall in the inflated configuration, and a second membrane having a substantially convex exterior wall in the inflated configuration.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a fetal heart rate sensor disposed on the first membrane.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a uterine contraction sensor disposed on the first membrane.

9. An apparatus for sensing fetal oxygen levels of a fetus in a uterus, comprising:

a tube including an inflation lumen, said inflation lumen having a distal end;

a balloon coupled to the distal end of said inflation lumen, said balloon including a first membrane and a retraction coating disposed on the exterior wall of said balloon, wherein the retraction coating is set while the balloon is in the deflated configuration; and

an optical sensor unit disposed on the first membrane.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retraction coating is a shape memory polymer.

11. An apparatus for sensing fetal oxygen levels of a fetus in a uterus, comprising:

a tube including an inflation lumen, said inflation lumen having a distal end;

a balloon coupled to the distal end of said inflation lumen, said balloon including;

a first membrane;

a retraction frame; and

an optical sensor unit disposed on the first membrane.

12. An apparatus for sensing fetal oxygen levels of a fetus in a uterus, comprising:

a tube including an inflation lumen, said inflation lumen having a distal end;

a balloon coupled to the distal end of said inflation lumen, said balloon including a first membrane and a second membrane, said second membrane having a position indicator, a portion of the position indicator being disposed on the second membrane; and

an optical sensor unit disposed on the first membrane.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second membrane has an exterior wall and wherein the position indicator is a light source directed substantially outward to the exterior wall.

14. A catheter-oximeter, comprising:

a tube including an inflation lumen and a drainage lumen, the drainage lumen communicating with a drainage inlet

a balloon including a first wall and a second wall, said balloon communicating with the inflation lumen;

an optical sensor disposed on the first wall; and

a position indicator disposed on the second wall.

15. A method for sensing oxygen levels of a fetus in a uterus, the uterus having a uterine wall and being substantially adjacent to a body cavity having a body cavity wall, comprising the steps of:

inserting an optical sensor into the body cavity, said optical sensor having a wall;

orienting the wall of the optical sensor substantially towards the fetus; and

measuring the oxygen levels of the fetus with the optical sensor through the uterine wall and the body cavity wall.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the optical sensor is disposed on a balloon, further comprising the of:

inflating the balloon with a fluid.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said inflating step occurs after said inserting step.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the body cavity is a urinary bladder.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the body cavity is a rectum.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the body cavity is a vagina.

21. A method for sensing fetal oxygen levels of a fetus in a uterus, the uterus having a wall and being adjacent to the pubes, comprising the steps of:

inserting an optical sensor into the body cavity, said optical sensor having a wall;

providing a light source in a direction substantially opposite to the outward normal of the wall of the optical sensor;

rotating the optical sensor;

detecting the light source on the surface of the pubes; and

measuring the oxygen levels of the fetus with the optical sensor through the wall of the uterus.