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EP0099077A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fetal electrode apparatus
Assignee: Kontron Inc
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Filing: 1983-07-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-07-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus (2) for use in monitoring fetal vital signs with monitoring equipment is disclosed. The apparatus (2) includes a form-sustaining guide tube (4), a sleeve (10), a fetal electrode structure having a piston member (16) and a body member (24), at least two active fetal electrodes (34) and a lead wire (14) for connecting the active fetal electrodes to monitoring equipment. At least a portion of the guide tube (4) and the body member (24) are slideably disposed within the sleeve (10). The active fetal electrodes (34) are attached to this piston member (16) and their free ends are disposed within channels (32) defined by the body member (24). The channels (32) project arcuately outwardly by a predetermined radius of curvature so as to define a continuous outwardly advancing open passage through the body member (24). The body member (24) also includes a shoulder (52) to preclude movement of the body member (24) within the sleeve (10) by more than a predetermined distance. The apparatus is inserted through passages of a woman in labor and brought into contact with the fetal scalp. By exerting pressure, the guide tube (4) advances in the sleeve (10) and releasably contacts the piston member (16) which in turn advances the active fetal electrodes (34) through and out of the channels (32) with an outward curvature and into the fetal scalp.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J. Lombardi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/43; A61B5/4306; A61B5/4343; A61B5/4362; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
351 words
An apparatus (2) for use in monitoring fetal vital signs with monitoring equipment, insertable through the vagina and the cervix of a woman in labor into a fetal scalp, comprising: a form-sustaining guide tube (4) having a forward end portion (6) and adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of the woman in labor; a sleeve (10) having a forward end portion which is disposed about the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4), the sleeve (10) being configured to allow slideable movement of the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4) within the sleeve(10); a piston (16) slideably disposed within the sleeve (10) for releasably engaging the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4) a body member (24) including: a rearward portion releasably disposed within the sleeve (10) adjacent the piston (16); a forward portion having a shoulder configured to releasably engage the forward end portion of the sleeve (10) and to preclude the forward portion of the body member (24) from moving within the sleeve (10) along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (10) toward the piston by more than a predetermined distance, said forward portion of the body member (24) effecting releasable contact with the fetal scalp; and at least two channels (32) passing from the rearward portion of the body member (24) and advancing outwardly along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (10) through the forward portion of the body member (24), said channels (32) defining continuous open passages through the body member (24); at least two resilient active electrode members (34) mounted on the piston member and having a free end slideably disposed within the channels (32), said active electrode members (34) being of sufficient length for the free end to pass through the channels (32) and advance into the fetal scalp as the guide tube (4) engages the piston member (16). and causes the active electrodes to advance along the channels (32) and out of the forward portion of the body member (24); and means for electrically connecting the active electrode members (34) to the monitoring equipment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
351 words
An apparatus (2) for use in monitoring fetal vital signs with monitoring equipment, insertable through the vagina and the cervix of a woman in labor into a fetal scalp, comprising: a form-sustaining guide tube (4) having a forward end portion (6) and adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of the woman in labor; a sleeve (10) having a forward end portion which is disposed about the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4), the sleeve (10) being configured to allow slideable movement of the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4) within the sleeve(10); a piston (16) slideably disposed within the sleeve (10) for releasably engaging the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4) a body member (24) including: a rearward portion releasably disposed within the sleeve (10) adjacent the piston (16); a forward portion having a shoulder configured to releasably engage the forward end portion of the sleeve (10) and to preclude the forward portion of the body member (24) from moving within the sleeve (10) along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (10) toward the piston by more than a predetermined distance, said forward portion of the body member (24) effecting releasable contact with the fetal scalp; and at least two channels (32) passing from the rearward portion of the body member (24) and advancing outwardly along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (10) through the forward portion of the body member (24), said channels (32) defining continuous open passages through the body member (24); at least two resilient active electrode members (34) mounted on the piston member and having a free end slideably disposed within the channels (32), said active electrode members (34) being of sufficient length for the free end to pass through the channels (32) and advance into the fetal scalp as the guide tube (4) engages the piston member (16). and causes the active electrodes to advance along the channels (32) and out of the forward portion of the body member (24); and means for electrically connecting the active electrode members (34) to the monitoring equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reference electrode (22) mounted on said piston member (16) and means for electrically connecting the reference electrode (22) to the monitoring equipment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the body member (24) and a plug member (28) having mating frustoconically configured walls (54, 57) and slots defining said channels (32).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the piston member (16) defines a cavity having an opening adjacent the body member (24).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the piston member (16) further includes a retainer cap member (18) for effecting releasable contact with the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4) and secured to the head member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for electrically connecting the active electrode members (34) to the monitoring equipment includes an insulated wire (14) electrically connected to the electrode members (34)..
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein there are four active electrode members (34) and four channels (32) passing through the body member (24).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the active electrode members (34) have free end portions (62) which terminate in a beveled tip (64).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the reference electrode (22) comprises a metal disk secured to the cylinder member (20).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reference electrode (22) is secured to the piston member (16) between the head member and retainer cap member (18).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the sleeve (10) has an inner surface adjacent the guide tube (4) with a multiplicity of ribs projecting radially inwardly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the forward end portion (6) of the guide tube (4) has an outer surface which contacts the ribs of the inner surface of the sleeve (10), said outer surface and ribs being configured and dimensioned for retainably contacting each other yet allowing slideable movement along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (10) upon movement of the guide tube (4).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sleeve (10) and the piston member (16) have a generally cylindrical configuration and the sleeve (10) has an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the guide tube (4).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the forward end portion (106) of the guide tube (104) includes a junction member (102) slideably engaging the sleeve (110) and for releasable contact with the piston member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the junction member (102) includes means for permitting movement of the junction member along the axis of the sleeve (110) by more than a predetermined distance in both directions of movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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