Maternal and fetal monitor

Details Maternal and fetal monitor Maternal and fetal monitor

2000-05-24

2001-10-16

Winakur, Eric F. (Department: 3736)

Surgery

Diagnostic testing

Cardiovascular

C600S546000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302849

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to maternal and fetal monitors and more particularly a system wherein the measurement of maternal blood pressure is controlled during uterine contractions.
Maternal/fetal monitors are employed for monitoring both maternal and fetal vital signs prior to, during and after delivery. These vital signs typically include fetal heart rate measured by ultrasound, maternal and fetal ECG's and pulse oximetry; maternal blood pressure and uterine activity. Maternal blood pressure is typically monitored using a conventional pressure measuring system. Such blood pressure measurements may be initiated manually or automatically on a periodic basis. However, when a maternal blood pressure measurement is made during a uterine contraction, the results are often diagnostically inaccurate and the patient may experience additional discomfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved maternal and fetal monitoring method and apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved maternal blood pressure monitoring method and apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide a system and apparatus for controlling the initiation of maternal blood pressure measurements in relation to uterine contractions.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus in which the initiation of maternal blood pressure measurements is prevented during uterine contractions.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for delaying the initiation of a maternal blood pressure measurement during uterine contractions.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system and apparatus which terminate a maternal blood pressure measurement in progress upon the occurrence of a uterine contraction.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for detecting the onset of uterine contractions.
In general terms, the invention comprises a maternal monitoring method including the steps of periodically initiating a maternal blood pressure measurement, sensing uterine activity, preventing the initiation or continuation of the blood pressure measurement during uterine contractions and initiating a blood pressure measurement after the cessation of the uterine contraction.
According to another aspect, the invention comprises means for measuring maternal blood pressure, means for periodically initiating the operation of the maternal blood pressure measuring means, means for sensing uterine contractions, means for preventing the initiation or continuation of a blood pressure measurement during uterine contractions, and means for initiating a blood pressure measurement after the cessation of uterine contractions.
According to another aspect, the invention comprises the method of acquiring uterine contraction data, determining whether uterine pressure is increasing, decreasing or stable to identify a uterine contraction to determine the trend of the uterine activity data, and determining the onset of uterine activity from the comparison.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5776073 (1998-07-01), Garfield et al.

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