Cervical dilation measurement apparatus

• US 7,749,176 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2008
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intrapartum LLC
• Original Assignee: Intrapartum LLC
• Inventors: Baird, Tim, Dubey, Dharmesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US12/061,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20080188774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 600/560, 600/588, 600/591, 600/488, 600/587, 606/193, 738/665
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/435 Assessing cervix alteration or dilation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the housing, a second extension element movably coupled to the housing, and a dilation indication mechanism to measure a distance between the first and second extension elements. The medical device may also include a first lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the first finger, a second lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second finger, a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the first finger, and a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the second finger.

Claims

1. A method of measuring cervical dilation, comprising:

enclosing a medical device within a sterile glove for a hand such that at least a portion of a base element of the medical device is in between a first and second finger of the hand within the glove, wherein at least a portion of a first extension element of the medical device is coupled to the first finger and at least a portion of a second extension element of the medical device is coupled to the second finger;

positioning the first and second fingers of the hand enclosed by the sterile glove to contact cervical tissue;

obtaining a cervical dilation measurement based at least in part upon a distance between the first and second extension elements; and

measuring a pressure value of contact between at least one of the first and second fingers and the cervical tissue.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact a portion of a baby; and

measuring a descent position of the baby based at least in part upon a marker on the medical device.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact a portion of a baby; and

measuring a pressure value of contact between at least one of the first and second fingers and the baby.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact cervical tissue includes moving the first and second extension elements in a first plane.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising moving the first and second extension elements in a second plane.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the first and second fingers of the hand to contact a portion of a calibration element having a predetermined dimension;

measuring a distance between the first and second extension elements when contacting the calibration element; and

calibrating the medical device at least in part by correlating the measured distance between the first and second elements to the predetermined dimension of the calibration element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second extension elements are elongate rods.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first extension element and the second extension element are pivotally coupled to the base element.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the base element is positioned in a space defined by the first finger and the second finger.