Fetal electrode product with channeled drive mechanism and improved torque characteristics
US5388579A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S439/909
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fetal electrode product for transmitting signals indicative of fetal heart rate from a fetus to a monitor. A drive mechanism slides and rotates a holder--to which are attached, at opposite ends, a fetal spiral electrode (FSE) and a reference electrode--to secure the FSE to the fetus. The drive mechanism has a solid drive rod, with at least two regions of different diameter defining the torque versus angular deflection characteristics of the drive rods and a clutch connected to the drive rod and imparting translation and rotation to the holder. The clutch is sufficiently pliable to slip over the reference electrode when the holder resists rotation. The drive rod, a handle, and the clutch are integrally molded together to form the drive mechanism and each has a channel transporting a twisted wire strand, which includes an untwisted length to facilitate removal of the FSE from the fetus, from the electrodes to a connector. The connector has an outside dimension greater than the outside diameter of the drive rod to facilitate handling and smaller than the inside diameter of an annular guide tube so that the guide tube can be pulled over the connector after the FSE is attached to the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.