Vacuum extraction monitoring with existing fetal heart rate monitors

Abstract

The invention provides technical advantages as a system, device and method that enables a fetal extraction monitor that is used to monitor fetal heart rates to also monitor a vacuum pressure in a vacuum device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vacuum extraction monitoring system for aiding a person who is assisting with fetal extraction, comprising: 
 a suction device that is enabled for vacuum attachment to a fetus;    a pump that is capable of producing a vacuum pressure;    a tubing that fluidly couples the suction device to the pump;    a means for detecting a vacuum pressure coupled to the suction device, and    a fetal monitor for automatically displaying a vacuum pressure, the fetal monitor being coupled to the means for detecting a vacuum pressure.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for detecting a vacuum pressure is adapted to enable the vacuum device to display a vacuum pressure.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for detecting a vacuum pressure comprises a transducer that converts the detected vacuum pressure into an output voltage in a range that the fetal monitor can process and display on trace paper.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the output voltage is four microvolts per centimeter of mercury per excitation volt provided by the fetal monitor.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the output voltage is four micro volts per measure equivalent to a centimeter of mercury per excitation volt provided by the fetal monitor.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pump is a hand powered pump.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an output voltage adapter that converts a detected tension force into an output voltage that is in a range that the fetal monitor can process and display on trace paper.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the output voltage is about four microvolts per pound of tension force per excitation volt.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fetal monitor is internally adapted to display a measured tension force.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a switch coupled between the suction device and the fetal monitor. The system of  claim 10  wherein the switch is at least a two input switch.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the switch is adapted to receive an IJPC connection, an EUMD connection, and a vacuum device connection.  
     
     
         12 . A method of aiding a person who is assisting with fetal extraction, comprising: 
 attaching a suction device to a fetus by placing the vacuum device on the fetus and then inducing a vacuum pressure in the suction device;    detecting the vacuum pressure; and    automatically displaying the vacuum pressure on a fetal monitor.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein detecting the vacuum pressure is accomplished with a transducer.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the transducer includes a WHEAT STONE BRIDGE.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising detecting a traction force.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising displaying the traction force on the fetal monitor.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the traction force and the vacuum pressure are displayed simultaneously on the same graph on the same trace paper on the fetal monitor.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the traction force and the vacuum pressure are displayed on separate graphs on trace paper of the fetal monitor.