System and method for simulating intrauterine contractions for noninvasive intra-partum fetal monitoring
US10269265B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09B23/281
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus to simulate intrauterine contractions to train clinicians in using a tocodynamometer (TOCO) transducer. The apparatus includes an enclosure housing an air bladder, with an opening in the enclosure for a TOCO transducer to be placed in contact with the air bladder. The air bladder is selectively pressurized by a source of compressed gas, the flow being controlled by a flow valve. A pressure release valve is provided to reduce pressure in the bladder. A pressure sensor monitors the bladder pressure, and can be used to calibrate the system to determine what bladder pressure produced a given uterine activity. The flow valve may be controlled by a software run on a processor to achieve particular uterine activity levels over a given period of time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.