Ambulatory, ultrasonic transit time, real-time, cervical effacement and dilatation monitor with disposable probes
Patent 5438996 Issued on August 8, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 12, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 12, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesIntrauterine catheter Disposable apparatus for monitoring intrauterine pressure and fetal heart rate Intracavity ultrasonic device for elasticity imaging Patent #: 5265612 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 322613 filed on 10/12/1994US Classes:600/448, Through-transmission (e.g., time-of-flight) imaging600/588, Associated with parturition600/591Vagina or uterusExaminersPrimary: Manuel, GeorgeAttorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassA61B 008/00AbstractPreferred transducers in the substantial shapes of a three-dimensional bodies, normally spheres or cylinders, emit ultrasound omni-directionally. The transducers are secured to the wall of the cervix uteri of human female, preferably by a barb or corkscrew coil, so that a straight line ultrasonic acoustic path exists between them. An ultrasonic transit time sonomicrometer detecting a variable propagation delay between the transducers dependent upon the dilatation or effacement of the cervix uteri serves as a ultrasonic cervimeter. Cervical dimension, and changes in dimension, developed by the ultrasonic cervimeter directly in millimeters are (i) validated for reasonableness, (ii) monitored so as to generate several alarms upon the occurrence(s) of several predetermined conditions, (iii) displayed, and (iv) archived all in a battery-powered ambulatory instrument. | |
