Vacuum extraction monitoring

• US 6,620,171 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medevco Inc., Texas Tech University System
• Original Assignee: Medevco Inc.
• Inventors: Vines, Victor L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Izaguirre, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US09/727,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 606/122, 606/123, 606/119, 606/121
• US Class Current: 606/123
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/442 without pivotal connections, e.g. using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/308 with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The present invention aids a person who is assisting with fetal extraction by monitoring and recording the pressure inside a vacuum device. The invention includes a suction device that is enabled for vacuum attachment to a fetus, a pump that is capable of producing a vacuum pressure, and tubing that fluidly couples the suction device to the pump. In another embodiment, the invention is embodied as a method that includes the acts of attaching a suction device to a fetus, detecting the vacuum pressure, and recording the vacuum pressure.

Claims

1. A vacuum device for aiding a person who is assisting with fetal extraction, comprising:

a suction device that is enabled for vacuum attachment to a fetus;

a pump that is capable of producing a vacuum pressure;

a tubing that fluidly couples the suction device to the pump;

a means for detecting a vacuum pressure, remote from the suction device and in the fluid communication with the tubing; and

a means for automatically recording a vacuum pressure coupled to the means for detecting a vacuum pressure.

2. The vacuum device of claim 1 further comprising a recording device coupled to the vacuum device, the recording device for creating a permanent record of the vacuum pressure.

3. The vacuum device of claim 2 further comprising a transducer coupled to the vacuum device such that the transducer is capable of detecting a pressure in the vacuum device.

4. The vacuum device of claim 3 wherein the transducer generates a mechanical indicia of the pressure.

5. The vacuum device of claim 3 wherein the transducer generates an electrical signal the electrical signal being indicative of the pressure.

6. The recording device of claim 2 wherein the recording device is capable of producing a paper record.

7. The recording device of claim 2 wherein the recording device produces an electronic record.

8. The vacuum device of claim 1 wherein the suction device is attachable to the head of a fetus.

9. The vacuum device of claim 1 wherein the pump is a hand powered pump.

10. The vacuum device of claim 1 wherein the pump is an electrically powered pump.

11. The vacuum device of claim 1 wherein the tubing comprises a plastic tube portion.

12. The vacuum device of claim 1 further comprising a wire that couples the suction device to the pump.

13. The vacuum device of claim 2 further comprising a warning device coupled to the recording device, the warning device being capable of producing a warning when a predetermined pressure is detected in the vacuum device.

14. The vacuum device of claim 13 wherein the warning is a sound.

15. The vacuum device of claim 13 wherein the warning is a light.

16. The vacuum device of claim 13 wherein the predetermined pressure is 0.2 kgms/cm².

17. A method of aiding a person who is assisting with fetal extraction, comprising:

attaching a suction device to a fetus by placing the vacuum device on the fetus and then inducing a vacuum pressure in the suction device;

detecting the vacuum pressure by using a means by detecting the vacuum pressure remote from the suction device; and

automatically recording the vacuum pressure.

18. A method of claim 17 further comprising the act of changing the vacuum pressure in response to the detected vacuum pressure.

19. A method of claim 17 wherein recording is a accomplished mechanically.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein recording is accomplished electronically.

21. The method of claim 17 further comprising the act of displaying at least the vacuum pressure.