Device for improved external fetal monitoring

• US 8,568,338 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jennifer Krispi
• Original Assignee: Jennifer Krispi
• Inventors: Krispi, Jennifer
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAO, ELMER M
• Application Number:
  US12/694,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20100292576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 600586-588, 600/595, 736/54, 736/58, 607/902
• US Class Current: 600/591
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/02 Measuring pulse or heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0866 involving foetal diagnosis; pre-natal or peri-natal diagnosis of the baby
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4236 characterised by adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue

Abstract

The present invention described herein is a soft, pliable, cushioning device to be used in conjunction with ultrasound and toco transducers during external fetal monitoring. The device can be shaped to fit the transducers and can easily attach and detach with the transducers via an adhesive layer. The device provides comfort to the patient and improved continuity of the transducers'"'"' readings during external fetal monitoring. The device can be a single-use application or reusable.

Claims

1. A device for contacting with a patient'"'"'s skin for external fetal monitoring, the device comprising:

an ultrasound transducer;

a pad removably attached to said ultrasound transducer, said pad having a layer of a cushioning material, an adhesive layer, an aperture therethrough, and at least one recessed notch along an exterior edge of said layer of cushioning material, wherein said at least one recessed notch is spaced from said aperture;

said layer of cushioning material having an outer surface for contacting with the patient'"'"'s skin and an inner surface;

said adhesive layer with a first surface and a second surface, said first surface attached to said inner surface of said layer of cushioning material, said second surface being removably attached only to said transducer, and said second surface and said outer surface are on opposite sides of said pad;

said aperture defines a cavity for holding an ultrasonic gel;

said cavity holds said gel in a larger amount compared to the amount that said transducer can hold without said pad attaching to said transducer; and

wherein said device allows for continuous ultrasound transducer readings for fetal monitoring.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pad further comprises:

a cutout portion comprised of said cushioning material, wherein said cutout portion is equal to or less than the size of said aperture; and

a second adhesive layer attached with said cutout portion, wherein said second adhesive layer removably attaches with said transducer.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said cushioning material is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyether and a polyurethane material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said pad further comprises a backing layer removably attached to said second surface of said adhesive layer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises at least one sensor element and an insulating layer.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said transducer comprises at least one sensor element and an insulating layer.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said cushioning material is selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyether and a polyurethane material.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein said pad further comprises a backing layer removably attached with said second surface of said adhesive layer.