Patent EP0135840A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0135840A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Perinatal oximeter
Assignee: Nellcor Inc
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Filing: 1984-08-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An intravaginal and intrauterine sensor for transillumination of a blood-perfused portion of fetal tissue to measure light extinction. The sensor comprises at least one light source (21, 23) and at least one photo-sensor (20, 22) with a shielding (30). The sensor may be mounted onto a paddle-shaped probe provided with signal connections (25, 26) contained in an insulated cable (27) leading to a measurement device. Alternatively, the sensor may include an opaque suction cup or other attaching apparatus for disposition on a protruding portion of the fetus. Most preferably, the sensor includes a housing.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Corenman
- 👤 William New, Jr.
- 👤 David E. Goodman
- 👤 Mark Yelderman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1464; A61B5/14542; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/251; A61B5/252; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/288; A61B5/43; A61B5/4306; A61B5/4343; A61B5/4362; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/683; A61B5/6834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A sensor for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a presenting portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: a light-conductive housing having an upper portion and lower portion, said lower portion including a cavity open at one end adapted for placement against said fetal presenting portion; a light source in said upper housing portion for transilluminating said fetal presenting portion; a light sensor mounted in said cavity for receiving light having transilluminated said fetal presenting portion; and attachment means communicating with said cavity for connecting said sensor to a vacuum source for temporarily securing the sensor to said fetal presenting portion by providing a suction force between said sensor and said fetal presenting portion when the open end of said cavity is placed against the fetal presenting portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A sensor for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a presenting portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: a light-conductive housing having an upper portion and lower portion, said lower portion including a cavity open at one end adapted for placement against said fetal presenting portion; a light source in said upper housing portion for transilluminating said fetal presenting portion; a light sensor mounted in said cavity for receiving light having transilluminated said fetal presenting portion; and attachment means communicating with said cavity for connecting said sensor to a vacuum source for temporarily securing the sensor to said fetal presenting portion by providing a suction force between said sensor and said fetal presenting portion when the open end of said cavity is placed against the fetal presenting portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a pair of electrocardiogram electrodes, the first of said electrodes being affixed to the outside of said sensor housing for electrically contacting the uterus when the sensor is attached to the fetus, and the second of said electrodes being positioned in said cavity for electrically contacting the fetal presenting portion when the sensor is attached to the fetus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sensor of claim 1 or 2, further comprising shielding means for obstructing light not transilluminating said fetal presenting portion from reaching the light sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor of claim 3, wherein said shielding means is also an electrocardiogram electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sensor of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said light source is positioned in the upper housing portion substantially above said light sensor in the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said light source is substrate mounted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sensor of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said housing is optically transmissive and is adapted for providing an optical path conducting light from said light source to said fetal presenting portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the open end of said cavity is provided with a beveled edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sensor of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein an adhesive is provided to aid in securing the sensor to said fetal presenting portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sensor of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein a second light source is provided in said upper housing and a second light sensor is provided in said cavity.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: an introducing and orienting probe having a surface for fetal cutaneous conformance; a light source mounted on said probe surface to emit light to and transilluminate said fetal tissue; a light sensor mounted on said probe surface to receive light having transilluminated said fetal tissue; and a shielding device associated with said light sensor for preventing light not transilluminating said fetal tissue portion from reaching the light sensor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: an introducing and orienting probe having a surface for fetal cutaneous conformance; a light source mounted on said probe surface to emit light to and transilluminate said fetal tissue; a light sensor mounted on said probe surface to receive light having transilluminated said fetal tissue; and a shielding device associated with said light sensor for preventing light not transilluminating said fetal tissue portion from reaching the light sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said shielding is a close-fitting box substantially enclosing said light sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, herein- said shielding is electrically conductive and is further adapted to provide an electrocardiogram sensor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: an introducing and orienting probe having a surface for fetal cutaneous conformance; a light source mounted on said probe surface to emit light to and transilluminate said fetal tissue; a light sensor mounted on said probe surface to receive light having transilluminated said fetal tissue; and detachable, semiflexible columnar tubing associated with said probe.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: an introducing and orienting probe having a surface for fetal cutaneous conformance; a light source mounted on said probe surface to emit light to and transilluminate said fetal tissue; a light sensor mounted on said probe surface to receive light having transilluminated said fetal tissue; and detachable, semiflexible columnar tubing associated with said probe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a needle screw is provided on the probe for attachment of the probe to said fetal tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, wherein suction means are provided for attachment of the probe to said fetal tissue.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: an introducing and orienting probe having a surface for fetal cutaneous conformance; a light source mounted on said probe surface to emit light to and transilluminate said fetal tissue; a light sensor mounted on said probe surface to receive light having transilluminated said fetal tissue; and adhesive means for attachment of the probe to said fetal tissue.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: an introducing and orienting probe having a surface for fetal cutaneous conformance; a light source mounted on said probe surface to emit light to and transilluminate said fetal tissue; a light sensor mounted on said probe surface to receive light having transilluminated said fetal tissue; and adhesive means for attachment of the probe to said fetal tissue.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue and of a portion of uterine lining comprising: an introducing and orienting probe means having a first side for fetal conformance and a second side for uterine conformance; a light source mounted on each said probe side to emit light to and through said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining; a light sensor mounted on each said probe side to receive light having transilluminated said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining, and rounded protrusions on said first probe side to provide frictional gripping between said probe and said fetal tissue and to aid in separating any hair thereon to expose the fetal tissue.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue and of a portion of uterine lining comprising: an introducing and orienting probe means having a first side for fetal conformance and a second side for uterine conformance; a light source mounted on each said probe side to emit light to and through said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining; a light sensor mounted on each said probe side to receive light having transilluminated said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining, and rounded protrusions on said first probe side to provide frictional gripping between said probe and said fetal tissue and to aid in separating any hair thereon to expose the fetal tissue.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue and of a portion of uterine lining comprising: an introducing and orienting probe means having a first side for fetal conformance and a second side for uterine conformance; a light source mounted on each said probe side to emit light to and through said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining; and a light sensor mounted on each said probe side to receive light having transilluminated said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining, each said light sensor being recessed into its respective probe side.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue and of a portion of uterine lining comprising: an introducing and orienting probe means having a first side for fetal conformance and a second side for uterine conformance; a light source mounted on each said probe side to emit light to and through said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining; and a light sensor mounted on each said probe side to receive light having transilluminated said respective fetal tissue or uterine lining, each said light sensor being recessed into its respective probe side.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a presenting portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: a suction cup probe device having a concave surface for contacting and suctionally securing said probe to said fetal tissue; a light source mounted on the concave surface of said probe for emitting light to transilluminate said fetal tissue; and a light sensor mounted on the concave surface of said probe for receiving the light transilluminating said fetal tissue.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for non-invasive uterine insertion to measure light extinction during transillumination of a presenting portion of blood-perfused fetal tissue, comprising: a suction cup probe device having a concave surface for contacting and suctionally securing said probe to said fetal tissue; a light source mounted on the concave surface of said probe for emitting light to transilluminate said fetal tissue; and a light sensor mounted on the concave surface of said probe for receiving the light transilluminating said fetal tissue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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