EP0509310A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor for intrauterine use
Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
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Filing: 1992-03-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A sensor placement and retention mechanism for use with fetal sensor sites beyond the user's reach are disclosed. The preferred embodiment of this invention is a fetal pulse oximetry sensor (2,200) having an active face (4) through which a light source (6) and a light detector (8) operate. The sensor includes a handle (15) that facilitates placement of the active face at a sensor site in a preferred region beyond the transcervical region and beyond the reach of the user. A pair of electrodes (210,212)--one disposed against the fetus' skin (211) and one exposed to the amniotic fluid--are used to confirm that the sensor is firmly in place on the fetus. In an optional sensor retention feature, a self-inflating bladder (40) presses the active face of the sensor against the fetus' skin to optically couple the sensor with the tissue at the sensor site.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher Chung
- 👤 Eric Johansson
- 👤 Carl Ritson
- 👤 Paul D. Mannheimer
- 👤 Helen M. Mcnamara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1464; A61B5/14542; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6853; A61B5/6885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A pulse oximetry apparatus for use in measuring a blood characteristic in fetal tissue during labor and delivery, the apparatus comprising: a sensor having an active face including a light source and a light detector; means for accurately placing the active face of the sensor on a site on a fetus beyond the presenting part and beyond the transcervical region; and means for retaining the active face of the sensor in place on the site on the fetus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for accurately placing the sensor comprises a flexible handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for retaining the sensor in place comprises means for applying a force between the active face of the sensor and the site on the fetus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for applying a force comprises an expandable member disposed on a face of the sensor opposite to the active face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the expandable member comprises an inflatable bladder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for inflating the bladder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for inflating comprises compressible, self-expanding material disposed within the bladder.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the means for applying a force comprises a curved handle attached to the sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for accurately placing further comprises means for changing the curve of the handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the handle further comprises a channel and the means for changing the curve comprises a straightener removably mounted within the channel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising means for indicating depth of insertion into a uterus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for indicating depth comprises a ridge disposed on the handle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising means for determining whether the active face is placed firmly in contact with the site on the fetus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A pulse oximetry apparatus for use in measuring a blood characteristic in fetal tissue during labor and delivery, the apparatus comprising: a sensor having an active face including a light source and a light detector; means for accurately placing the active face of the sensor on a site on the fetus beyond the presenting part and beyond the transcervical region; and means for determining whether the active face is placed firmly in contact with the site on the fetus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for determining comprises means for indicating that the active face is placed firmly in contact with the site on the fetus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for indicating comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the means for determining comprises a first electrode disposed on the active face of the sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for determining further comprises a second electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18 farther comprising current generating means for generating a current between the first and second electrodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further comprisingimpedance measuring means, coupled to the current generating means, for measuring the impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode in response to the current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising threshold comparing means, coupled to the impedance means, for comparing the impedance to a threshold value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising contact indicating means, coupled to the threshold comparing means, for providing a signal indicating contact between the first electrode and the site on the fetus.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 22 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for determining comprising: means for calculating blood oxygen saturation; and means for conducting electrical signals comprising optical data from the light detector to the means for calculating, the means for calculating being adapted to use the optical data in the blood oxygen saturation calculation; the means for determining further comprising means for altering the manner in which the means for calculating uses the optical data.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of measuring a blood characteristic in fetal tissue during labor and delivery comprising the following steps: inserting a sensor into a mother's uterus, the sensor having an active face; placing the active face of the sensor on a site on a fetus beyond the presenting part and beyond the transcervical region; applying a retaining force between the active face and the site on the fetus; and calculating the blood characteristic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of determining whether the active face of the sensor is placed firmly in contact with the site on the fetus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of indicating whether the active face of the sensor is placed firmly in contact with the site on the fetus.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of measuring a blood characteristic in fetal tissue during labor and delivery comprising the following steps: inserting a sensor into a mother's uterus, the sensor having an active face; placing the active face of the sensor on a site on a fetus beyond the presenting part and beyond the transcervical region; determining whether the active face of the sensor is placed firmly in contact with the site on the fetus and calculating the blood characteristic.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
41 words
The method of any one of claims 24 to 27 further comprising the step of altering the calculating step in a predetermined manner if the active face of the sensor is not firmly in contact with the site on the fetus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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