Apparatus and method for fetal scalp blood sampling
First Claim
1. A fetal blood collection apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough;
a biasing mechanism configured to provide a proximal longitudinal bias to a member carried by the elongated housing;
a blade located at the distal end of the elongated housing within the bore thereof and extendable distally therefrom, the blade operably connected to the biasing mechanism through the member; and
a longitudinally extending groove in an exterior side surface of the elongated housing proximate a distal end thereof, the groove configured for receiving at least a portion of a capillary tube therein.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for collecting blood from a fetal scalp. The apparatus includes an elongated housing containing a longitudinally spring-loaded, sharp-pointed, beveled blade disposed at the distal end thereof which can be advanced against the spring bias from the distal end against the fetal scalp. A groove located on an exterior side surface of the distal end of the housing is sized to receive a capillary tube which is resiliently retained on the housing with its distal end proximate a recessed region at the distal end of the housing. The groove may be oriented parallel to the housing, or at an angle thereto, to enhance visualization of blood pooling in the recessed region filling the capillary tube after an incision in the scalp is made using the blade. A light source may be included in or on the apparatus, or on the interior of an amnioscope with which the apparatus is employed. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
31 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A fetal blood collection apparatus, comprising:
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an elongated housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough;
a biasing mechanism configured to provide a proximal longitudinal bias to a member carried by the elongated housing;
a blade located at the distal end of the elongated housing within the bore thereof and extendable distally therefrom, the blade operably connected to the biasing mechanism through the member; and
a longitudinally extending groove in an exterior side surface of the elongated housing proximate a distal end thereof, the groove configured for receiving at least a portion of a capillary tube therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for collecting blood from a fetal scalp, comprising:
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advancing an elongated element internally carrying a blade at a distal end thereof into a cervix to a location proximate a scalp surface of a fetus;
extending the blade against a spring bias from the distal end of the elongated element;
making an incision in the scalp surface to a limited depth with the extended blade;
retracting the blade within the elongated element using the spring bias;
collecting blood emanating from the incision on a region of an exterior surface of the elongated element;
drawing blood collected on the region of the exterior surface by capillary action into a distal end of a capillary tube secured to the exterior surface of the elongated element; and
withdrawing the elongated element from the cervix. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification