Intrauterine pressure catheter interface cable system

Abstract

Methods and systems for zeroing an intrauterine pressure catheter system are provided. The interface cable system includes a first connector and a second connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between an intrauterine pressure catheter and a monitoring system. The interface cable system includes a plurality of conductors extending between s the first and second connectors. A momentary switch is configured to activate a zeroing operation for a predetermined time period. The zeroing operation may include activating a switching element subsequent to the release of the momentary switch. An indicator is configured to provide an indication, during the predetermined time period, that the zeroing operation can be completed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . An interface cable system for providing electrical interconnection between an intrauterine pressure catheter and a monitoring system, the interface cable system comprising:
 a first connector configured to provide electrical interconnection with the intrauterine pressure catheter system;   a second connector configured to provide electrical interconnection with the monitoring system;   a plurality of conductors electrically connected to the first and second connector for carrying signals between the intrauterine pressure catheter and the monitoring system;   a momentary switch configured to activate a zeroing operation for a predetermine time period; and   an indicator configured to provide an indication of the zeroing operating during the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         49 . The cable system of  claim 48 , further comprising signal processing circuitry configured to receive a signal from the momentary switch, perform the zeroing operation for the predetermined time period, and activate the indicator during the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         50 . The cable system of  claim 49 , wherein the signal processing circuitry is configured to perform the zeroing operation by engaging a switching element during the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         51 . The cable system of  claim 49 , wherein the signal processing circuitry is configured to perform the zeroing operation on the pressure catheter, the monitoring system, or both. 
     
     
         52 . The cable system of  claim 49 , wherein the signal processing circuitry is housed in the second connector. 
     
     
         53 . The cable system of  claim 49 , wherein the signal processing circuitry is configured to initiate the zeroing operation when the momentary switch is released. 
     
     
         54 . The cable system of  claim 48 , wherein the momentary switch is disposed on the second connector. 
     
     
         55 . The cable system of  claim 48 , wherein the momentary switch is configured to be depressed and subsequently released by one hand of a user. 
     
     
         56 . The cable system of  claim 48 , wherein the momentary switch is configured to activate the zeroing operation by short-circuiting two or more of the plurality of conductors while the momentary switch is pressed. 
     
     
         57 . The cable system of  claim 48 , wherein the predetermined time period is about five seconds. 
     
     
         58 . The cable system of  claim 48 , wherein the indicator is an LED. 
     
     
         59 . The cable system of  claim 58 , wherein the LED is configured to flash during the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         60 . The cable system of  claim 48 , wherein the momentary switch is configured to be pressed for less than about one second. 
     
     
         61 . A method of zeroing an intrauterine pressure catheter system comprising:
 providing, by an intrauterine catheter cable system, one or more electrical connections between an intrauterine pressure catheter and a monitoring system;   receiving, by the cable system, a signal from a momentary switch coupled to the cable system pressed by a user;   in response to the signal, initiating a zeroing operation for a predetermined time period by signal processing circuitry housed in the cable system; and   indicating to the user that the zeroing operation can be performed properly during the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein initiating the zeroing operation comprises engaging a switching element during the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprises performing zeroing activity, by the user, during the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the zeroing activity includes pressing a zeroing button or switch on the monitoring system, the pressure catheter, or both, while the indication that the zeroing operation can be performed properly is activated. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein receiving the signal from the momentary switch comprises shorting together two or more of the electrical connections. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein initiating the zeroing operating comprises initiating the zeroing operation upon release of the momentary switch, so that the zeroing operation can be completed during the subsequent predetermined time period by the user using one hand. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein indicating that the zeroing operation can be performed properly includes flashing an LED during the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         68 . A method of zeroing an intrauterine pressure catheter system comprising:
 providing, by an intrauterine catheter cable system, one or more electrical connections between an intrauterine pressure catheter and a monitoring system;   receiving, by signal processing circuitry in the cable system, a signal that a momentary switch coupled to the cable system is pressed;   receiving, by the signal processing circuitry, a second signal that the momentary switch is released;   in response to the second signal, subsequently initiating a zeroing operation for a predetermined time period by the signal processing circuitry;   activating, by the signal processing circuitry, a switching element during the predetermined time period; and   providing an indication that the zeroing operation can be completed properly during the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein providing the indication includes flashing an LED coupled to the cable system. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising completing the zeroing operation without requiring subsequent pressing of the momentary switch. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein completing the zeroing operation comprises activating, by the user, a zeroing mechanism of the pressure catheter, the monitoring system, or both during the predetermined time period.