US5377675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for improved fetus contact with fetal probe
Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
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Filing: 1992-06-24
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Granted: 1995-01-03
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Expires: 2012-06-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improved fetal contact with a fetal probe. The easily insertable probe includes a means for adjusting the position of the probe so that a sensor makes firm contact with the fetus. In one embodiment, the position is adjusted via a biasing segment of the probe which rotates about a fulcrum. In another embodiment, the position is adjusted via a bladder.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Ruskewicz
- 👤 James R. Casciani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1464; A61B5/14542; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An intrauterine probe for measuring a physical condition of a fetus comprising: a sensor body comprising an active face, wherein the sensor body has a channel disposed therein; inserting means for inserting the sensor body into a uterus between a fetus and a uterine wall; a normally deformed resilient biasing means integral with the sensor body and which is disposed entirely on the portion of the probe within the uterus for applying force between the fetus and the uterine wall; and straightening means for straightening the resilient biasing means, the straightening means including a stylet removably disposed in the channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An intrauterine probe for measuring a physical condition of a fetus comprising: a sensor body comprising an active face, wherein the sensor body has a channel disposed therein; inserting means for inserting the sensor body into a uterus between a fetus and a uterine wall; a normally deformed resilient biasing means integral with the sensor body and which is disposed entirely on the portion of the probe within the uterus for applying force between the fetus and the uterine wall; and straightening means for straightening the resilient biasing means, the straightening means including a stylet removably disposed in the channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein the resilient biasing means extends distally from the distal end of the active face and the inserting means extends proximally from the proximal end of the active face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein the resilient biasing means extends distally from the distal end of the active face at an acute angle from the plane of the active face and the inserting means extends proximally from the proximal end of the active face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein the resilient biasing means extends from a lateral edge of the active face.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein the resilient biasing means extends from both lateral edges of the active face.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein the resilient biasing means comprises at least one flexible protrusion.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for measuring a physical condition of a fetus comprising the steps of: providing a sensor having a normally deformed resilient portion and an active face; inserting the sensor into a uterus such that the active face is adjacent the fetus and the resilient portion is entirely within the uterus; temporarily straightening the resilient portion while inserting the sensor into the uterus; and permitting the sensor to apply a force between the active face and the fetus using only the normal deformation of the resilient portion and without the application of any additional force from outside the uterus.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for measuring a physical condition of a fetus comprising the steps of: providing a sensor having a normally deformed resilient portion and an active face; inserting the sensor into a uterus such that the active face is adjacent the fetus and the resilient portion is entirely within the uterus; temporarily straightening the resilient portion while inserting the sensor into the uterus; and permitting the sensor to apply a force between the active face and the fetus using only the normal deformation of the resilient portion and without the application of any additional force from outside the uterus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the straightening step further comprises the step of inserting a stylet into the sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the permitting step comprises removal of the stylet from the sensor so that the resilient portion tends to return to its normally deformed state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
An intrauterine probe for measuring a physical condition of a fetus comprising: a sensor body having a longitudinal axis and an active surface for contacting a fetus; inserting means for inserting the sensor body into a uterus between a fetus and a uterine wall; and a first biasing segment extending from a rotation point on the sensor body, the first biasing segment being preformed and normally extending at a predetermined nonzero angle from the sensor body and being resilient for rotation about the rotation point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
An intrauterine probe for measuring a physical condition of a fetus comprising: a sensor body having a longitudinal axis and an active surface for contacting a fetus; inserting means for inserting the sensor body into a uterus between a fetus and a uterine wall; and a first biasing segment extending from a rotation point on the sensor body, the first biasing segment being preformed and normally extending at a predetermined nonzero angle from the sensor body and being resilient for rotation about the rotation point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The probe according to claim 10 wherein the first biasing segment terminates in a free end and functions as a lever for biasing the active surface toward the fetus when the sensor body is inserted between the fetus and the uterine wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The probe according to claim 10 further comprising straightening means for straightening the first biasing segment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The probe according to claim 12 wherein the straightening means comprises means for straightening the first biasing segment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The probe according to claim 13 wherein the sensor body includes a channel, and wherein the straightening means comprises a stylet removably disposed in the channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe according to claim 10 wherein the first biasing segment extends distally in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The probe according to claim 15 wherein the first biasing segment extends distally from a distal end of the active surface, and wherein the insertion means comprises a handle extending proximally in the direction of the longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the active surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The probe according to claim 16 wherein the first biasing segment has a corrugated shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The probe according to claim 15 wherein the first biasing segment has a normally curved shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The probe according to claim 18 wherein the first biasing segment has a tapered shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The probe according to claim 10 wherein the first biasing segment extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis for rotation about the longitudinal axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The probe according to claim 20 further comprising a second biasing segment extending opposite the first biasing segment generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The probe according to claim 10 wherein the sensor body has an opposite surface for facing the uterine wall, the opposite surface including a slot, and further comprising a second biasing segment connected to the first biasing segment and disposed generally parallel to the slot for deflecting into the slot when the sensor body is inserted between the fetus and the uterine wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-02 | 1998-07-04 | 1999-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-02 | 2002-07-04 | 2003-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-02 | 2006-07-04 | 2007-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |