Patent US5474065A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5474065A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-invasive fetal probe
Assignee: Graphic Controls Corp
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Filing: 1994-04-04
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Granted: 1995-12-12
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Expires: 2014-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A non-invasive fetal probe attaching to the presenting part of a fetus and sensing at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery. The body of the probe is formed of a conductive hydrogel which is adhesive to both wet and dry surfaces. The hydrogel is either formed into a suction cup shape or is coated on the inside surface of a suction cup shell. It is the combination of both the suction cup shape, which initially holds the probe to the fetus, and the hydrogel material, which allows for increased adhesion in the wet environment of the mother's womb, which enables the probe to be securely attached to the fetus during labor and delivery. In one specific embodiment, the probe is a non-invasive fetal heart rate probe having a maternal heart rate sensor which detects the maternal heart rate to serve as a reference and a fetal heart rate sensor for monitoring the fetal heart rate. The maternal and fetal heart rate sensors are separated by an electrical insulation material which can form the suction cup.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Meathrel
- 👤 Mohammad Saleem
- 👤 Shirley A. Binks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/43; A61B5/4306; A61B5/4343; A61B5/4362; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/251; A61B5/252; A61B5/257; A61B5/259; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S524/00; Y10S524/916; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31692; Y10T428/31855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised of a conductive hydrogel which is prepared from a precursor composition comprising acrylic acid and an alcoholamine and is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions; a sensor carried by said body and detecting at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised of a conductive hydrogel which is prepared from a precursor composition comprising acrylic acid and an alcoholamine and is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions; a sensor carried by said body and detecting at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 1 wherein said alcoholamine of said hydrogel of said body is diisopropanolamine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 2 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from water, acrylic acid, a photoinitiator, a crosslinking agent, diisopropanolamine, and an electrolyte.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 3 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from about 35-40% water, 15-30% acrylic acid, 0.3-0.4% photoinitiator, 0.05-0.20% crosslinking agent and 25-30% diisopropanolamine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 4 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from about 39% water, 29% acrylic acid, 0.35% 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propane-1-one, 0.10% polyethylene glycol (400) diacrylate and 28% diisopropanolamine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 3 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from about 38% water, 16% acrylic acid, 0.35% 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propane-1-one, 0.15% polyethylene glycol (400) diacrylate and 28% diisopropanolamine and 13% vinyl pyrrolidone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 1 wherein said body is "V"-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 1 wherein said body has a diameter of 10-20 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 1 wherein said body further comprises a shell, said conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body facing the fetus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 9 wherein said shell is polymeric.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 9 wherein said shell has an outer perimeter forming a member which is one of a ledge and a ridge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 11 wherein said member formed by said outer perimeter of said shell is a ridge having a top edge and a lower edge and wherein said conductive hydrogel extends to said top edge of said ridge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A non-invasive fetal probe as recited in claim 11 wherein said member formed by said outer perimeter of said shell is a ledge having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface and wherein said conductive hydrogel is disposed on said top surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised entirely of a conductive hydrogel which is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions; a sensor carried by said body and detecting at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised entirely of a conductive hydrogel which is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions; a sensor carried by said body and detecting at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring a fetal heart rate during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised of a conductive hydrogel which is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions; a first sensor carried by said body and detecting a fetal heart rate; means for communicating the fetal heart rate detected by said first sensor from said first sensor to a monitor; a second sensor carried by said body and detecting reference signals; means for communicating the reference signals detected by said second sensor from said second sensor to the monitor; and means for electrically insulating said first sensor from said second sensor, said insulating means disposed between said first and said second sensors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
150 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring a fetal heart rate during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and being comprised of a conductive hydrogel which is adhesive under both wet and dry conditions; a first sensor carried by said body and detecting a fetal heart rate; means for communicating the fetal heart rate detected by said first sensor from said first sensor to a monitor; a second sensor carried by said body and detecting reference signals; means for communicating the reference signals detected by said second sensor from said second sensor to the monitor; and means for electrically insulating said first sensor from said second sensor, said insulating means disposed between said first and said second sensors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 15 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from at least acrylic acid and an alcoholamine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 16 wherein said alcoholamine of said hydrogel of said body is diisopropanolamine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 17 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from water, acrylic acid, a photoinitiator, a crosslinking agent, diisopropanolamine and an electrolyte.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 18 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from about 35-40% water, 15-30% acrylic acid, 0.3-0.4% photoinitiator, 0.05-0.20% crosslinking agent and 25-30% diisopropanolamine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 19 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from about 39% water, 29% acrylic acid, 0.35% 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl- propane-1-1one, 0.10% polyethylene glycol (400) diacrylate and 28% diisopropanolamine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 18 wherein said hydrogel of said body is prepared from about 38% water, 16% acrylic acid, 0.35% 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propane-1-one, 0.15% polyethylene glycol (400) diacrylate and 28% diisopropanolamine and 13% vinyl pyrrolidone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 15 wherein said body is "V"-shaped.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 15 wherein said body has a diameter of 10-20 mm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 15 wherein said body is comprised entirely of said conductive hydrogel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 15 wherein said body further comprises a shell, said conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body facing the fetus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 15 wherein said shell is polymeric.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 25 wherein said shell has an outer perimeter forming a member which is one of a ledge and a ridge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 27 wherein said member formed by said outer perimeter of said shell is a ridge having a top edge and a lower edge and wherein said conductive hydrogel extends to said top edge of said ridge.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 27 wherein said member formed by said outer perimeter of said shell is a ledge having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface and wherein said conductive hydrogel is disposed on said top surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe as recited in claim 15 wherein said first sensor is embedded in said conductive hydrogel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
198 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring a fetal heart rate during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a "V"-shaped suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, said body having: (a) a thermoplastic shell with an outer perimeter forming one of a ledge and a ridge, and (b) a conductive hydrogel formed from the polymerization of a hydrogel precursor formulation comprising water, acrylic acid, a photoinitiator, a cross-linking agent, diisopropanolamine, and an electrolyte, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions, coated on said shell and forming a concave surface facing the fetus; a first sensor carried by said body and detecting a fetal heart rate; means for communicating the fetal heart rate detected by said first sensor from said first sensor to a monitor; a second sensor carried by said body and detecting reference signals; and means for communicating the reference signals detected by said second sensor from said second sensor to the monitor, whereby one of said ledge and said ridge isolates said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
198 words
A non-invasive fetal heart rate probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring a fetal heart rate during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having a "V"-shaped suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, said body having: (a) a thermoplastic shell with an outer perimeter forming one of a ledge and a ridge, and (b) a conductive hydrogel formed from the polymerization of a hydrogel precursor formulation comprising water, acrylic acid, a photoinitiator, a cross-linking agent, diisopropanolamine, and an electrolyte, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions, coated on said shell and forming a concave surface facing the fetus; a first sensor carried by said body and detecting a fetal heart rate; means for communicating the fetal heart rate detected by said first sensor from said first sensor to a monitor; a second sensor carried by said body and detecting reference signals; and means for communicating the reference signals detected by said second sensor from said second sensor to the monitor, whereby one of said ledge and said ridge isolates said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
153 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having: (a) a shell with an an outer perimeter forming a ridge having a top edge and a lower edge, and (b) a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and (c) a conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions and extending to said top edge of said ridge and said ridge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe; a sensor carried by said body and detecting said at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
153 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having: (a) a shell with an an outer perimeter forming a ridge having a top edge and a lower edge, and (b) a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and (c) a conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions and extending to said top edge of said ridge and said ridge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe; a sensor carried by said body and detecting said at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
156 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having: (a) a shell with an an outer perimeter forming a ledge having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, and (b) a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and (c) a conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions and disposed on said top surface of said ledge and said ledge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe; a sensor carried by said body and detecting said at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
156 words
A non-invasive fetal probe adapted for attachment to the presenting part of a fetus and monitoring at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery, said probe comprising: a body having: (a) a shell with an an outer perimeter forming a ledge having a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, and (b) a concave surface forming a suction cup adapted for securing the probe to the fetus to be monitored, and (c) a conductive hydrogel coated on said shell and forming said concave surface of said body, said conductive hydrogel being adhesive under both wet and dry conditions and disposed on said top surface of said ledge and said ledge isolating said conductive hydrogel from fluids in the environment surrounding the probe; a sensor carried by said body and detecting said at least one fetal parameter; and means for communicating the fetal parameter detected by said sensor from said sensor to a monitor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-11 | 1999-06-12 | 1999-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-11 | 2003-06-12 | 2003-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-11 | 2007-06-12 | 2007-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |