Patent · US Expired

Method of evaluating meconium content of amniotic fluid

US5009507A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 1990
Grant dateApr 23, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N21/293
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of evaluating the maconium content or concentration of amniotic fluid makes uses of a meconium measurement color chart which accurately reproduces the color and transparency of amniotic fluid having different amounts of meconium therein. Measurement indicia are denoted on the chart next to corresponding color samples. A sample of amniotic fluid is placed either on a transparent medium or in a transparent container. Then the sample is visually compared with the meconium measurement chart, while shining fluorescent light through both the sample and the meconium measurement chart, so as to determine the denoted measurement value which most closely matches the color and transparency of the amniotic fluid sample. If the measurement value is above a predefined threshold value, precautionary measures are taken to improve the infant's chances of survival, e.g., by intubating the infant's lungs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.