US4349033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intrauterine catheter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-11-06
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Granted: 1982-09-14
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Expires: 2000-11-06
Abstract
Abstract An intrauterine catheter used in conjunction with an ultrasonic scanning apparatus to improve the resolution of the ultrasonic scan. The catheter consists of a catheter having an input orifice and a plurality of output orifices. A balloon substantially surrounds the entire catheter and is filled with a fluid through the catheter. A cervical sound stop is used to ensure that only the uterus is filled with the solution.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Eden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An intrauterine catheter for utilization with an exterior ultrasonic transducer comprising: (a) an elongated portion having at least one fill hole at a first end and at least one exit orifice at the second end, said elongated portion including a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves; (b) a balloon substantially surrounding the entire length of said elongated portion including said second end and sealingly attached to said elongated portion adjacent said first end; (c) a cervical sound stop slidably positioned over said balloon and said elongated portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An intrauterine catheter for utilization with an exterior ultrasonic transducer comprising: (a) an elongated portion having at least one fill hole at a first end and at least one exit orifice at the second end, said elongated portion including a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves; (b) a balloon substantially surrounding the entire length of said elongated portion including said second end and sealingly attached to said elongated portion adjacent said first end; (c) a cervical sound stop slidably positioned over said balloon and said elongated portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An intrauterine catheter in accordance with claim 1 further including a tenaculum clamp slidable over said elongated portion to positively hold said cervical sound stop in place.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of determining the size of the uterus including the steps of: (a) providing a catheter having at least one fill hole and at least one exit orifice, said catheter substantially surrounded by a balloon; (b) determining the approximate length of the uterus by uterine sound; (c) sliding a cervical sound stop to the proper position on the catheter as determined by the uterine sound; (d) filling said catheter with a fluid such that said balloon expands to completely fill the uterus; and (e) noting the amount of fluid used to fill said balloon, said amount corresponding to the size of the uterus.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of determining the size of the uterus including the steps of: (a) providing a catheter having at least one fill hole and at least one exit orifice, said catheter substantially surrounded by a balloon; (b) determining the approximate length of the uterus by uterine sound; (c) sliding a cervical sound stop to the proper position on the catheter as determined by the uterine sound; (d) filling said catheter with a fluid such that said balloon expands to completely fill the uterus; and (e) noting the amount of fluid used to fill said balloon, said amount corresponding to the size of the uterus.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of ultrasonically scanning a woman's uterus comprising the steps of: (a) providing a catheter including an elongated portion having at least one fill hole at a first end and at least one exit orifice at the second and, said elongated portion including the second end thereof substantially surrounded by a balloon; (b) determining the approximate length of the uterus by uterine sound prior to placing the catheter in the uterus; (c) sliding a cervical sound stop to the proper position on the catheter as determined by the uterine sound prior to placing the catheter in the uterus; (d) placing said catheter in the uterus; (e) filling said catheter with a fluid such that said balloon expands to cover the entire area of the uterine wall; (f) passing an exterior ultrasonic transducer over the area of the uterus; and (g) viewing the produced ultrasonic scan.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of ultrasonically scanning a woman's uterus comprising the steps of: (a) providing a catheter including an elongated portion having at least one fill hole at a first end and at least one exit orifice at the second and, said elongated portion including the second end thereof substantially surrounded by a balloon; (b) determining the approximate length of the uterus by uterine sound prior to placing the catheter in the uterus; (c) sliding a cervical sound stop to the proper position on the catheter as determined by the uterine sound prior to placing the catheter in the uterus; (d) placing said catheter in the uterus; (e) filling said catheter with a fluid such that said balloon expands to cover the entire area of the uterine wall; (f) passing an exterior ultrasonic transducer over the area of the uterus; and (g) viewing the produced ultrasonic scan.
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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) | 1985-09-13 | 1986-03-15 | 1986-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-13 | 1990-03-15 | 1990-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-13 | 1994-03-15 | 1994-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |