Bipolar electrode structure for monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said retaining coil comprises a first electrode.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 2, and further comprising a second electrode mounted on said holder member and spaced from said first electrode; said holder member comprising insulating material.

Claim 5

The apparatUs according to claim 1, and further comprising a first electrode mounted on said holder member and adapted to contact the epidermis into which the said retaining coil is screwed.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive tube has a sustantially uniform outer diameter throughout the length thereof, and said guide tube has a substantially uniform inside diameter throughout the length thereof; the outer diameter of said drive tube being smaller than the inside diameter of said guide tube, whereby said drive tube may be freely slid forwardly and rearwardly in said guide tube.

Claim 7

An improved electrode structure for monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: an elongated, relatively flexible, relatively narrow guide tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a generally cylindrical holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a plurality of circumferentially-spaced driving fins on the rear end portion of said holder member; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; a first electrode mounted in said holder member; said first electrode including a rear portion mounted in said holder member, and a pointed forward end extending through the forward end of said holder member; said pointed forward end of said first electrode terminating rearwardly of the pointed forward end of said retaining coil; a first electrical wire conductor having a forward end extending through the rear end of said holder member and electrically connected to said first electrode; insulating means covering the juncture of said first electrode and said first electrical wire conductor; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; said driving tube having a forward end provided with a plurality of axially-extending, circumferentially-spaced driving slots releasably engaging said driving fins on said holder member for rotating said holder member when said driving tube is rotated; a second electrode slidably disposed within said driving tube, rearwardly of said slotted forward end thereof; a second electrical wire conductor having a forward end electrically connected to said second electrode; insulation means covering the juncture of said second electrical wire conductor and said second electrode; said first and second electrical wire conductors having rear ends extending out of the rear ends of said driving tube and said guide tube for connection to an electrical monitoring apparatus.

Claim 8

An improved electrode structure for monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: an elongated, relatively flexible, relatively narrow guide tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a generally cylindrical holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a plurality of circumferentially-spaced driving fins on the rear end portion of said holder member; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; a first electrode mounted in said holder member; said first electrode including a rear portion mounted in said holder member, and a pointed forward end extending through the forward end of said holder member; said pointed forward end of said first electrode terminating rearwardly of the pointed forward end of said retaining coil; a first electrical wire conductor having a forward end extending through the rear end of said holder member and electrically connected to said first electrode; insulating means covering the juncture of said first electrode and said first electrical wire conductor; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; said driving tube having a forward end provided with a plurality of axially-extending, circumferentially-spaced driving slots releasably engaging said driving fins on said holder member for rotating said holder member when said driving tube is rotated; a second electrode slidably disposed within said driving tube, rearwardly of said slotted forward end thereof; a second electrical wire conductor having a forward end electrically connected to said second electrode; insulation means covering the juncture of said second electrical wire conductor and said second electrode; said first and second electrical wire conductors having rear ends extending out of the rear ends of said driving tube and said guide tube for connection to an electrical monitoring apparatus.

Claim 9

An improved electrode structure according to claim 6, wherein said driving tube is longer than said guide tube, and has a rear end portion extending rearwardly of the reare end of said guide tube; and further comprising an indicator mark on said rear end portion of said driving tube for indicating to the user when the pointed forward end of said retaining coil approaches the forward end of said guide tube.

Claim 10

An improved electrode structure according to claim 6, wherein said second electrode is formed in the shape of a coil, encircling said first electrical wire to hold said first and second electrical wires adjacent one another.

Claim 11

An improved electrode structure according to claim 6, wherein said first electrode is made of a silver-silver chloride composition.

Claim 12

An improved electrode structure according to claim 6, wherein said second electrode is formed in the shape of a tubular sleeve.

Claim 13

An improved electrode structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, curved elongated guide tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; holder means slIdably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; a retaining coil connected to said holder means and adapted to engage a fetal epidermis; a flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube for driving said retaining means into engagement with a fetal epidermis; said drive tube having a forward end; and means on said forward end of said driving tube operatively connected to said retaining coil for rotating said retaining coil to screw said coil into the fetal epidermis; an electrode mounted on said holder means; and means for electrically connecting said electrode to an electrical monitoring apparatus.

Claim 14

An improved electrode structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, curved elongated guide tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; holder means slIdably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; a retaining coil connected to said holder means and adapted to engage a fetal epidermis; a flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube for driving said retaining means into engagement with a fetal epidermis; said drive tube having a forward end; and means on said forward end of said driving tube operatively connected to said retaining coil for rotating said retaining coil to screw said coil into the fetal epidermis; an electrode mounted on said holder means; and means for electrically connecting said electrode to an electrical monitoring apparatus.

Claim 15

An improved electrode structure according to claim 11, wherein said electrode comprises a pointed electrode spaced from said retaining coil, and wherein said retaining coil is adapted to maintain said pointed electrode in engagement with the fetal epidermis when said retaining coil is screwed into the fetal epidermis.

Claim 16

An improved electrode structure according to claim 11, wherein said electrode includes at least a portion of said retaining coil.

Claim 17

An improved electrode structure according to claim 11, wherein said electrode comprises a silver-silver chloride electrode.

Claim 18

An improved electrode structure according to claim 11, wherein said retaining coil is mounted on one end of said holder member; fin means on the other end of said holder member; and wherein said means on said forward end of said driving tube comprises a plurality of slots releasably engaging said fin means on said holder member for rotating said holder member and said retaining coil when said driving tube is rotated.

Claim 19

An improved electrode structure according to claim 11, and further comprising a second electrode disposed in said guide tube rearwardly of said first electrode, and means for electrically connecting said second electrode to an electrical monitoring apparatus.

Claim 20

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising; a relatively rigid, elongated, curved guide tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member sliably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; electrode means mounted on said holder member; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; and cooperating engaging means on said rear end portion of said holder member and the forward end portion of said driving tube for rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube.

Claim 21

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising; a relatively rigid, elongated, curved guide tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member sliably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; electrode means mounted on said holder member; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; and cooperating engaging means on said rear end portion of said holder member and the forward end portion of said driving tube for rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube.

Claim 24

The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising a second electrode mounted on said rear end of said holder member and spaced from said first electrode; said holder member comprising insulating material electrically insulating said first and second electrodes from one another.

Claim 25

The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second electrode comprises a generally flat member, and wherein said cooperating drive means comprises slots in the forward end of said driving tube and a portion of said flat second electrode.

Claim 26

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, elongated guide tube having an open forward; said guide tube being curved to conform to and fit the angular anatomical configuration of a woman''s vagina and cervix so as to be adapted to be confortably inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; monitoring means mounted on said holder member; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; and cooperating engaging means on said rear end portion of said holder member and the forward end portion of said driving tube for rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube; said cooperating engaging means on said rear end portion of said holder member and on the forward end portion of said driving tube establishing a relatively loose connection so that the engaging means on the forward end of said driving tube will slip around said engaging means on the rear end portion of said holder member when the holder member meets with a predetermined amount of resistance to rotation.

Claim 27

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, elongated guide tube having an open forward; said guide tube being curved to conform to and fit the angular anatomical configuration of a woman''s vagina and cervix so as to be adapted to be confortably inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; monitoring means mounted on said holder member; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; and cooperating engaging means on said rear end portion of said holder member and the forward end portion of said driving tube for rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube; said cooperating engaging means on said rear end portion of said holder member and on the forward end portion of said driving tube establishing a relatively loose connection so that the engaging means on the forward end of said driving tube will slip around said engaging means on the rear end portion of said holder member when the holder member meets with a predetermined amount of resistance to rotation.

Claim 28

An improved structure according to claim 21, wherein said cooperating engaging means on said rear end of said holder member and the forward end of said driving tube comprise fin means on one of said holder member or said driving tube and slots in the other of said holder member or said driving tube.

Claim 29

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, elongated guide tube having an open forward; said guide tube being curved to conform to and fit the angular anatomical configuration of a woman''s vagina and cervix so as to be adapted to be comfortably inserted through the vagina and the cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; monitoring means mounted on said holder member; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; and fin means on said rear end of said holder member and means defining slots in the forward end of said driving tube for releasably engaging said fin means and rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube; the portions of the forward end of said driving tube between said slots being relatively soft and flexible to establish a relatively loose connection with said fin means so that the forward end of said driving tube will slip around said fin means on the rear end portion of said holder member when the holder member meets with a predetermined amount of resistance to rotation.

Claim 30

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, elongated guide tube having an open forward; said guide tube being curved to conform to and fit the angular anatomical configuration of a woman''s vagina and cervix so as to be adapted to be comfortably inserted through the vagina and the cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said guide tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; monitoring means mounted on said holder member; an elongated, relatively flexible driving tube slidably and rotatably disposed in said guide tube; and fin means on said rear end of said holder member and means defining slots in the forward end of said driving tube for releasably engaging said fin means and rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube; the portions of the forward end of said driving tube between said slots being relatively soft and flexible to establish a relatively loose connection with said fin means so that the forward end of said driving tube will slip around said fin means on the rear end portion of said holder member when the holder member meets with a predetermined amount of resistance to rotation.

Claim 33

An improved electrode structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: holder means having fin means thereon; a retaining coil connected to said holder means and adapted to engage a fetal epidermis; a driving tube for driving said retaining means into engagement with a fetal epidermis; said drive tube having a forward end; and slots in said forward end of said driving tube operatively connected to said fin means on said holder means for rotating said holder means and said retaining coil to screw said coil into a fetal epidermis; an electrode mounted on said holder means; and means for electrically connecting said electrode to an electrical monitoring apparatus.

Claim 34

An improved electrode structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: holder means having fin means thereon; a retaining coil connected to said holder means and adapted to engage a fetal epidermis; a driving tube for driving said retaining means into engagement with a fetal epidermis; said drive tube having a forward end; and slots in said forward end of said driving tube operatively connected to said fin means on said holder means for rotating said holder means and said retaining coil to screw said coil into a fetal epidermis; an electrode mounted on said holder means; and means for electrically connecting said electrode to an electrical monitoring apparatus.

Claim 35

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, elongated outer tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said outer tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; monitoring means mounted on said holder member; an elongated driving tube disposed in said outer tube; and fin means on said holder member and slots in the forward end portion of said driving tube for rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube.

Claim 36

An improved structure for use in monitoring fetal heartbeat and the like comprising: a relatively rigid, elongated outer tube having an open forward end adapted to be inserted through the vagina and cervix of a woman in labor; a holder member slidably and rotatably disposed within said outer tube; said holder member having a forward end portion and a rear end portion; a retaining coil mounted on the forward end portion of said holder member; said retaining coil terminating in a pointed forward end spaced forwardly of the forward end of said holder member; monitoring means mounted on said holder member; an elongated driving tube disposed in said outer tube; and fin means on said holder member and slots in the forward end portion of said driving tube for rotating said holder member and said retaining coil by rotating said driving tube.