Automatic apparatus for controlling the childbirth labor

• US 7,144,379 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pierfrancesco Belli
• Original Assignee: Pierfrancesco Belli
• Inventors: Belli, Pierfrancesco
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/537,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/304, 600/546, 600/587, 600/588, 600/591, 600/595, 606/119, 606/121, 606/122, 606/124, 606/202, 606/200, 601/45, 601/151, 601/152
• US Class Current: 600/588
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4356 Assessing uterine contractions A61B5/033 takes precedence

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling the childbirth labor comprising an electromyographic unit (4) with sensors (3) for detecting electrical signals of a parturient'"'"'s uterus and means (6) for analyzing and processing the electrical signals, and a pneumatic belt (1) to be fixed around the parturient'"'"'s abdomen having sensors (15) to detect the variation of the internal pressure due to uterine contractions, and means (2) for inflating the belt to provide a thrust as an aid for the expulsion of the fetus, where a device (7) is provided, associated with sensors (15) and (3) to control the activation of means (2) for the inflation of the pneumatic belt (1).

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling childbirth labor comprising:

an electromyographic unit with sensors associated therewith for detecting the electrical signals of a parturient'"'"'s uterus and means for analyzing and processing said electrical signals;

a pneumatic belt to be fixed around the parturient'"'"'s abdomen and having sensors associated therewith to detect the variations of internal pressure of an interior of said pneumatic belt due to uterine contractions, and means for inflating said belt to provide a thrust as an aid for the expulsion of the fetus; and

a device associated with the electromyographic unit and the pneumatic belt sensors and to control the activation of said means for inflating the pneumatic belt.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said device comprises an AND gate with AND gate inputs being connected, respectively, to an output of said electromyographic unit and to an output of an A/D converter located downstream of said sensors which are associated with the belt, and with an AND gate output being connected with the input of a D/A converter, wherein the D/A converter output is connected with said means for inflating the belt.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a first switch is inserted on a line connecting the AND gate with the D/A converter.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that a second switch is inserted on a line connecting the A/D converter with the D/A converter, said second switch operating in push-pull mode with respect to said first switch.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a second switch is inserted on a line connecting the A/D converter with the D/A converter.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for analyzing and processing of the electromyographic unit consist of a PC associated with the electromyographic unit.

7. Apparatus for controlling childbirth labor, said apparatus comprising:

an electromyographic unit with sensors associated therewith for detecting electrical signals of a parturient'"'"'s uterus;

means for analyzing and processing said electrical signals; and

a pneumatic belt adapted to be fixed around a parturient'"'"'s abdomen having sensors associated therewith to detect the variations of an internal pressure of an interior of said pneumatic belt due to uterine contractions; and

means for inflating said belt to provide a thrusting force to aid in expulsion of a fetus, including a control associated with the electromyographic unit and the pneumatic belt sensors for controlling the activation of said means for inflating said pneumatic belt.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said device comprises an AND gate with AND gate inputs being connected, respectively, to an output of said electromyographic unit and to an output of an A/D converter located downstream of said sensors which are associated with the belt, and with an AND gate output being connected with the input of a D/A converter, wherein the D/A converter output is connected with said means for inflating the belt.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a first switch is inserted on a line connecting said AND gate with said D/A converter.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a second switch is inserted on a line connecting the A/D converter with the D/A converter, said second switch operating in push-pull mode with respect to said first switch.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a second switch is inserted on a line connecting the A/D converter with the D/A converter.

12. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means for analyzing and processing of the electromyographic unit comprises a PC associated with the electromyographic unit.

13. Apparatus for controlling childbirth labor, said apparatus comprising:

a pneumatic belt to be fixed around a parturient'"'"'s abdomen;

a means for inflating said pneumatic belt providing a thrust as an aid for explusion of a fetus;

electromyographic sensors;

pressure sensors;

a device for controlling activation of inflation means of said pneumatic belt, wherein said device is responsive to signals from electromyographic sensors and to pressure sensors that detect variations of internal pressure within said pneumatic belt due to uterine contractions; and

a means for analyzing and processing said signals.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said device comprises an AND gate with AND gate inputs being connected, respectively, to an output of said electromyographic sensors and to an output of an A/D converter located downstream of said pressure sensors for detecting variations of internal pressure within the belt, and with an AND gate output being connected with the input of a D/A converter, wherein the D/A converter output is connected with said means for inflating the belt.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a first switch is inserted on a line connecting said AND gate with said D/A converter.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a second switch is inserted on a line connecting the A/D converter with the D/A converter, said second switch operating in push-pull mode with respect to said first switch.

17. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a second switch is inserted on a line connecting the A/D converter with the D/A converter.

18. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said means for analyzing and processing said signals comprises a PC associated with the electromyographic sensors.