Cervical dilation measurement apparatus

• US 7,811,239 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• 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): Hindenberg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US11/401,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20070255185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 600/591, 600/488, 600/587, 738/665, 345/158
• 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 medical device for measuring cervical dilation during delivery of a baby, the medical device being disposable within a glove and positionable about the fingers of a human hand, wherein the fingers of a human hand have an upper portion at a distal end the fingers, a palm portion at a proximal end of the fingers, a pad portion on the same face of the hand as the palm portion, a tip portion, and side portions, the medical device comprising:

a connecting element positionable between an index finger and a middle finger at the proximal end of the fingers;

a first extension element movably coupled to the connecting element and positionable on a side portion of the index finger that faces the middle finger, wherein the first extension element is movable about the connecting element in at least two planes of motion;

a second extension element movably coupled to the connecting element and positionable on a side portion of the middle finger that faces the index finger, wherein the second extension element is movable about the connecting element in at least two planes of motion;

a first pressure measurement sensor positionable on a side portion of the index finger that faces away from the middle finger;

a second pressure measurement sensor positionable on a side portion of the middle finger that faces away from the index finger; and

a control element in communication with one of the connecting element, first extension element, and second extension element to provide a measurement of a distance between the first and second extension elements, the control element also in communication with the first and second pressure measurement sensors.

2. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a first finger-tip pressure sensor in communication with the control element.

3. The medical device according to claim 2, further comprising a second finger-tip pressure sensor in communication with the control element.

4. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second extension elements are coupled to an interior of the glove.

5. The medical device according to claim 4, wherein the glove includes an indicator of a relative position of the baby to the cervix.

6. The medical device according to claim 4, wherein the first and second pressure measurement sensors are coupled to the interior of the glove.

7. The medical device according to claim 4, further comprising first and second finger-tip pressure sensors coupled to the interior of the glove and in electrical communication with the control element.

8. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a first cap element coupled to the first extension element, and a second cap element coupled to the second extension element.

9. The medical device according to claim 8, wherein the first pressure measurement sensor is coupled to the first cap element, and the second pressure measurement sensor is coupled to the second cap element.

10. The medical device according to claim 8, further comprising a first finger-tip pressure sensor coupled to the first cap element, and a second finger-tip pressure sensor coupled to the second cap element.