Apparatus for improved fetus contact with fetal probe

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improved fetal contact with a fetal probe. The easily insertable probe includes a means for adjusting the position of the probe so that a sensor makes firm contact with the fetus. In one embodiment, the position is adjusted via a biasing segment of the probe which rotates about a fulcrum. In another embodiment, the position is adjusted via a bladder.

Description: This invention relates to fetal probes and, more particularly, to a fetal probes having improved fetal contact. During in utero labor and delivery fetal probes are used to monitor health of the fetus. Typical parameters monitored include arterial blood oxygen saturation levels, pulse rate, heart rate and temperature. Pulse oximeters are typically used to measure various blood characteristics including arterial blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to monitor heart rate. A thermal sensor is used to monitor temperature. In order to achieve accurate measurements, the aforementioned sensing devices must maintain good contact with the fetus during parameter measurement. Improper contact to the fetus with a pulse oximetry probe may result in inaccuracies caused by shunting of light between the emitter and detector. Fig. 1 shows a transflectance pulse oximetry probe 110 comprising a light emitter 114 and a light detector 118 disposed within a housing 122. If the probe 110 is in poor contact with the skin 134, (e.g. due to extraneous material 138 such as hair, mucous, etc., between the probe and skin 134), light may be directly reflected from the top surface of the skin or piped through the extraneous matter as shown by path 2. Alternatively, the light may scatter below the surface of the skin, but may not travel deep enough to penetrate the blood perfused layer 130. Instead, the light travels through bloodless layer 132 as shown by path 3. The depth uniformity and/or location of layer 132 is negatively affected by local vasoconstriction, excessive force applied to the back surface of the probe (which locally exsanguinates blood from the tissue beneath the probe), and site-to-site variations of the distance to the blood perfused layer. The aforementioned factors negatively affect blood oxygen saturation measurements. Unless probe placement is well controlled in an environment free of excessive applied force and other light shunting causes, accuracy of the calculated saturation will be suspect. To improve contact to the fetus, the fetal probe described in EP-A-509 310, incorporates a fixed curved sleeve and an oppositely curved removable stiffener. The stiffener is inserted in the probe to make the handle substantially straight during insertion of the sensor housing. When the stiffener is removed, the curved sleeve presses the sensor housing against the fetus. Similarly WO-91/07910 discloses a fetal probe which has an inflatable bladder connected to the non-sensing side of the probe. The bladder has a hemispherical or spherical shape in order to provide a wedging action which will maintain the position of the fetal sensor during contractions, or fetal or maternal movements. Although the addition of an inflatable bladder improves fetal contact, unequal forces are applied to different contact points of the fetus. In addition, because of the position of the bladder, there are site-to-site variations between the sensor and the blood perfused layer. An improved method for contacting an oximeter probe to a fetus is needed. The present invention is directed towards apparatus for improved fetal contact with a fetal sensor. The present invention provides an easily insertable fetal probe which includes a means for applying force to the probe sensor so that a force of sufficient magnitude is applied to prevent shunting. Proper force application increases the accuracy of measurement of the desired parameter. Contact to the presenting part of the fetus is applied by means of a resilient biasing segment of the probe. The probe is a flexible elongate member having a proximal and distal end. A probe contact segment is located at the distal end of the elongate member. The probe contact segment is comprised of an active segment and a resilient biasing segment integral with the sensor body. The biasing segment changes its form during insertion of the probe to fill the space between the uterine wall and the fetus. During insertion of the probe, the biasing segment is in a deformed flattened position to make insertion into the space between the uterine wall and the fetus easier. When the probe reaches an expanded space, the biasing segment region conforms to its return position. In attempting to move to its return position, the biasing segment acts as a lever to force the probe sensor on the contact segment surface against the fetus. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a channel for stylet insertion exists along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body through the contact segment to the probe tip. Before insertion of the probe into the space between the uterine cavity and the presenting part of the fetus, a stylet is inserted into the cavity. Since the stylet is straight, the biasing segment is deformed so that the contact segment forms a straight line. Straightening the contact segment makes insertion of the probe easier. After the probe is inserted, the stylet is removed and the biased segment attempts to conform to its return position. A further understanding of the invention may be had with reference to the following description and drawings. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a fetal probe showing light transmission through various layers of tissue; Figure 2 is a side view of an integral end fulcrum type fetal probe according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the integral end fulcrum type fetal probe according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an integral end fulcrum type fetal probe of Figure 3 inserted in the space between the uterine cavity and the presenting part of the fetus; Figure 5 is side representational view of a fulcrum type fetal probe shown in Figure 2 in its deformed and return positions; Figure 6 is an end view of a modified fulcrum type fetal probe having flexible wings; Figure 2 shows a side view of a fetal probe having an integral end fulcrum in its undeformed return position. The probe has an elongate body with a proximal end 202 and a distal end 204. The probe includes a handle or insertion means 206 which functions as an insertion aid. The handle 206 is generally cylindrical having a radius of 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) and is typically 33cm (13 inches) long. The probe is formed using standard manufacturing processes. A stiffener (not shown), cables forming a bus (not shown), and a channel 208 extend along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body. The steel stiffener provides the general shape of the probe and in one embodiment terminates at the handle 206 of the probe. The stiffener allows for bending in a first direction while resisting bending in a second direction. The channel 208 is formed using standard extrusion techniques by extruding over an aluminum spacer that is removed after the formed cable is cut into individual lengths. In one embodiment, the channel 208 provides a space for stylet insertion. The cables are soldered to an electrical optical module to achieve electrical contact. This assembly is then over molded with a thermoplastic rubber by an injection molding process designed to maintain good shut-off with electrical sensing surface and optical sensing surface. A mandril is used to form a channel in sensor body for the insertion of removable stylet. The probe extends from the insertion means at the proximal end of the probe slightly widening into the contact segment 210. The contact segment 210 is located at the distal end 204 of the probe and is comprised of an active segment 211 and resilient biasing segment 213. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the active segment 211 extends from the inserting means 206 and the resilient biasing segment 213 extends from the distal end of the active segment 211. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the contact segment 210 has a first fetal contact surface 212, for contact to the fetus, and second contacting surface 214 for contacting the maternal tissue. An emitter 216 and photodetector 218 are located on the first contacting surface 212 of the contact segment 210. In order to receive an accurate measurement, the emitter and photodetector 216 and 218 must be in firm contact with the fetus. Figure 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the integral end fulcrum type fetal probe according to the preferred embodiment. The probe contact segment 302 is located at the distal end of the elongate member. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the probe contact segment 302 is comprised of an active segment 304 and a resilient biasing segment 306. The biasing segment 306 changes its form during insertion of the probe, expanding to fill the space between the uterine wall and the fetus. During insertion of the probe, the biasing segment 306 is deformed or preloaded tb a flattened position to make insertion into the space between the uterine wall and the fetus easier. When the probe reaches an expanded space, the biasing segment adjusts to its return position. In attempting to move to its return position, the resilient biasing segment acts as a lever to force the probe sensor on the surface of the contact segment against the fetus. The shape of the contact segment 302 shown in Figure 3 differs from the contact segment 210 of the fetal probe shown in Figure 2. Although both probes include a resilient biasing segment, the probe tip of the biasing segment shown in Figure 3 is tapered to make insertion easier. Also, the biasing segment 306 (in its return position) is curved in contrast to the linear biasing segment 213 shown in Figure 2. The curvature of the biasing segment 306 is similar to the curvature of the fetus head. The curved deformation region 306 makes insertion easier. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an integral end fulcrum type fetal probe of Figure 3 inserted in the space between the uterine cavity and the presenting part of the fetus. The fetal probe is positioned in the space between the uterine cavity and the fetus to provide good sensor contact. When the distal end is in contact with the mother's uterine wall, the region forces the emitter 316 and photodetector 318 against the fetus. To firmly contact the emitter and photodetector 318, the contact segment 302 is in its bent, undeformed position. However, although this position provides a good contact, the undeformed position makes probe insertion difficult. Figure 5 is a side representational view of the integral end fulcrum oximeter probe shown in Figure 2 in a first deformed and second return position. The contact segment 210 of the probe includes a fulcrum point 506 and a biasing segment 213. Since insertion of the probe is difficult with the biasing segment 213 bent towards the longitudinal axis of the handle 206, the present invention presents a second straightened position for insertion of the probe. In the first position (represented by dotted lines) the biasing segment 213 is in a position for insertion of the probe. The body of the probe is straightened for insertion by introduction of a stylet into the cavity 208 along the longitudinal axis of the probe, thereby preloading the biasing segment 213. The stylet 502 is typically a substantially flat rod made of stainless steel having a width 3.2 mm (0.125 inches) and an approximate length of 35.5 cm (14 inches). The width of the stylet must be less than the width of the cavity 208. When the stylet 502 is removed, the biasing segment 504 of the probe returns to its original position by rotating around its fulcrum point 506 to form an angle. The angled position of the biasing segment 213 presses the emitter and photodetector 216, 218 on the first contacting surface of the contact segment against the fetus. As the biasing segment 213 moves closer to the longitudinal axis of the probe, the emitter and photodetector 216, 218 are moved into a closer contact position with the fetus. Although the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 5 include a channel for stylet insertion, deformation of the biasing segment by a stylet is not necessary if the biasing segment is sufficiently resilient. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, no stylet is needed to deform the biasing segment 305. Figure 6 is an end view of the contact segment 1001 fulcrum type sensor which is modified to include a first and second biasing segments fold 1002, 1004 (wings) to improve contact to the fetus. The biasing segments 1002, 1004 extend from the lateral edges of the active face 1006 of the contact segment 1001. Unlike the fulcrum type sensor shown in Figures 2 and 3 where the rotation occurs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe, the rotation of the first and second folds occurs along a first and second axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the probe. In a first embodiment, the contact segment is made of a flexible rubber compound which easily deforms upon insertion of the probe into the space between the uterine wall and the presenting part of the fetus. No stylet is necessary for deformation. In a second embodiment the biasing segment 1002, 1004 are relatively inflexible. In order to straighten the folds 1002, 1004 of the contact segment for insertion, the type of stylet used in Figure 2 must be modified to include a first and second flexible protrusion along the sides of the stylet. The flexible protrusion are withdrawn into insertion slots during probe insertion. When the modified stylet reaches the contact segment, the modified stylet moves the stylet folds of the contact segment to a second position such that the first and second folds are at a 180° angle from each other to preload the biasing segments.

Claims: An intrauterine probe for measuring a physical condition of a foetus, which comprises: (a) a sensor body having a longitudinal axis and an active face (212) for contacting the foetus, (b) means (206) for inserting the sensor body into a uterus between a foetus and the uterine wall, (c) biassing means (213) which can act against the uterine wall to force the active face (212) of the sensor body against the foetus, in which the biassing means comprises at least one lever portion which is integral with the sensor body and disposed entirely on the portion of the probe within the uterus, and arranged for resilient deformation which involves rotation relative to the sensor body about a fulcrum point (506) at which it and the sensor body are joined, between (a) a return configuration in which the lever portion extends in a direction away from the plane of the active face of the sensor body so that, when the active face is in contact with a foetus, the lever portion can act against the uterine wall to force the active face against the foetus, and (b) a deformed flattened configuration in which the lever portion is flattened towards the plane of the active face so that the probe can be inserted into the space between the foetus and the uterus, the said deformation involving rotation of the lever portion about the point at which it is attached to the sensor body. A probe as claimed in claim 1, in which the lever portion (213) extends from the distal end of the sensor body and the inserting means (206) extends from the proximal end of the sensor body. A probe as claimed in claim 1, in which the lever portion (1002, 1004) extends from one or both of the lateral edges of the sensor body which extend parallel with the longitudinal axis of the probe. A probe as claimed in claim 3, in which the lever portion (213) comprises two elements (1002, 1004) extending from the sensor body, in which the deformation of the biassing means involves a bending deformation in which each of the elements rotates about the point at which it is attached to the sensor body. A probe as claimed in claim 1, which includes means (502) for preloading the biassing means (213) to change its configuration from the return configuration towards the flattened configuration, by bending the lever portion at the point (506) at which it is attached to the sensor body, in a direction towards the plane of the active face of the sensor body. A probe as claimed in claim 5, in which the biassing means (213) has a channel in it and in which the means (502) for preloading the biassing means comprises a stylet which can be inserted into the channel. A probe as claimed in claim 1, in which the surface of the lever portion (213) which acts against the uterine wall is generally convex. A probe as claimed in claim 1, in which the lever portion (213) is tapered towards its free end.

Inventors: CASCIANI JAMES R, RUSKEWICZ STEPHEN J, CASCIANI, JAMES R., RUSKEWICZ, STEPHEN J.
Applicants: NELLCOR PURITAN BENNETT INC, NELLCOR PURITAN BENNETT INCORPORATED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61B5
IPC codes: A61B5