Patent ID: 9408633
Filing Date: 2016-08-09
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. An obstetrical instrument, comprising: an elongated handle; and a flared portion extending from said elongated handle, said flared portion having a distal face sized and structured to support and elevate a fetal head, the elongated handle having a length sized to allow pressure to be applied from a user's hand holding the handle to the fetal head to reposition the fetal head through a birth canal into a uterine cavity, whereby the fetal head can be supported and elevated by the flared portion in the birth canal prior to delivery, the distal face defining a perimeter, said flared portion defining a fluid flow path from said distal face of said flared portion to an exterior of said flared portion, said fluid flow path presenting a gap in the distal face within the perimeter of the distal face so that, with the instrument positioned to support and elevate the fetal head, the gap defines an area within the perimeter of the distal face that does not contact the fetal head, the distal face defining a contact surface area within the perimeter available to contact the fetal head, the contact surface area larger than an area of the gap, whereby a fetal head elevating force transmitted through the obstetrical instrument is spread across the contact surface area and whereby the fluid flow path resists formation of a vacuum between the obstetrical instrument and a fetal head supported by the obstetrical instrument.