Beltless fiber optic labor contraction sensing device

• US 7,025,723 B1
• Filed: 08/15/2003
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard L. Watson
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Watson
• Inventors: Watson, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/642,432
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 600/304, 600/551, 600/588, 600/591, 600/587, 738/00, 250/217.14, 250/217.16, 250/217.18, 250/227.14, 250/227.16, 250/227.18
• US Class Current: 600/304
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0266 Optical strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0011 Foetal or obstetric data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/033 Uterine pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4356 Assessing uterine contractions A61B5/033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient

Abstract

A beltless fiber optic labor contraction sensing device including a fiber optic strain sensor for detecting labor contractions during childbirth. The fiber optic strain sensor includes an optic cable, a light source for transmitting a light beam through the optic cable and a light detector for identifying changes in the optical signal. The fiber optic strain sensor is operable to generate an appropriate response to any changes in the optical signal that are caused by the application of force against the fiber optic cable. An adhesive pad or sensor jacket is provided to secure the fiber optic strain sensor to the mother'"'"'s abdomen without the use of a belt or strap. The contraction device includes wireless communication for transmitting an output signal to a standard contraction recording device. Further, one or more of the components of the labor contraction sensing device are fabricated so as to be disposable.

Claims

1. A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen of a pregnant female, wherein said attachment surface has a generally elliptical shape; and

a signal transmitter in communication with said fiber optic strain sensor;

said fiber optic strain sensor being operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the pregnant female and communicating the output signal to said signal transmitter;

said signal transmitter being operable for receiving the output signal and communicating the output signal to monitor the labor contraction.

2. A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen of a pregnant female, wherein said attachment surface comprises a plurality of surface portions having a plurality of shapes for conforming to varying contours of the abdomen; and

a signal transmitter in communication with said fiber optic strain sensor;

said fiber optic strain sensor being operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the pregnant female and communicating the output signal to said signal transmitter; and

said signal transmitter being operable for receiving the output signal and communicating the output signal to monitor the labor contraction.

3. A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen of a pregnant female, wherein said sensor has a generally elliptical shape; and

a signal transmitter in communication with said fiber optic strain sensor;

said fiber optic strain sensor being operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the pregnant female and communicating the output signal to said signal transmitter; and

said signal transmitter being operable for receiving the output signal and communicating the output signal to monitor the labor contraction.

4. A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

a fiber optic strain sensor having an attachment surface adaptable for conforming said sensor to the contour of the abdomen of a pregnant female; and

a signal transmitter in communication with said fiber optic strain sensor, wherein said sensor comprises a plurality of fiber optic cables;

said fiber optic strain sensor being operable for generating an output signal in response to a labor contraction of the pregnant female and communicating the output signal to said signal transmitter;

said signal transmitter being operable for receiving the output signal and communicating the output signal to monitor the labor contraction.

5. A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

a fiber optic strain sensor comprising a fiber optic cable disposed within a sensor cover;

said sensor cover having a surface conformable with the contour of the abdomen of a pregnant female;

an adhesive pad having a lower surface, an upper surface, and a compartment between said lower and upper surfaces;

said adhesive pad being adaptable for removably securing said sensor to the abdomen of the pregnant female; and

an electronics box disposed within said compartment, said electronics box comprising

a light source in communication with said cable,

a light detector in communication with said cable,

an optical signal processor in communication with said light detector,

a signal transmitter in communication with said processor, and

a power source connected to said light source, said light detector, said processor, and said transmitter;

wherein, in response to a labor contraction of the pregnant female, said sensor and said electronics box cooperate to generate and transmit an output signal representative of the labor contraction.

6. A labor contraction sensing device comprising:

an adhesive pad having a first surface and a second surface;

said first surface of said adhesive pad being removably attachable to and conformable to the contour of the abdomen of a pregnant female;

a fiber optic strain sensor attached to said second surface of said adhesive pad;

said fiber optic strain sensor comprising a fiber optic cable disposed within a sensor cover;

a light source in communication with said cable;

a light detector in communication with said cable;

an optical signal processor in communication with said light detector;

a signal transmitter in communication with said processor; and

a power source connected to said light source, said light detector, said processor, and said transmitter;

wherein said light source, said light detector, said processor, said transmitter, and said power source are housed in an electronics box;

wherein said electronics box is disposed within a pouch adjacent to said sensor; and

wherein, in response to a labor contraction of the pregnant female, said sensor, said light source, said light detector, said processor, and said transmitter cooperate to generate and transmit an output signal representative of the labor contraction.