Obstetrical instrument

Abstract

An obstetrical instrument includes an elongated handle and a fetal head support portion coupled with a distal end of the elongated handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An obstetrical instrument, comprising:
 an elongated handle; and   a fetal head support portion coupled with a distal end of said elongated handle.   
     
     
         2 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein at a distal end of said elongated handle is a flared portion including a plurality of openings extending therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 1 , said fetal head support portion is formed of a flexible material and is configured to cushion and support the fetal head while the obstetrical instrument is in use. 
     
     
         4 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 3 , said fetal head support portion including a plurality of openings extending therethrough and arranged to align with said plurality of openings in said flared portion of said elongated handle. 
     
     
         5 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate member configured to be coupled with a distal end of said elongated handle and said fetal head support portion, said intermediate member including a plurality of openings arranged to align with said plurality of openings extending through said flared portion of said elongated handle and said plurality of openings of said fetal head support portion. 
     
     
         6 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 5 , wherein said fetal head support portion includes at least one of a fixation ring and at least one flange which affixes said fetal head support portion to one of said intermediate member and said elongated handle. 
     
     
         7 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 6 , wherein said intermediate member is releasably coupled with said elongated handle with a ball and socket joint. 
     
     
         8 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 1 , said elongated handle having a proximal end including a bulbous portion. 
     
     
         9 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 1 , said elongated handle including a grip portion having a plurality of ridges extending around a circumference of said handle. 
     
     
         10 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 1 , said elongated handle including a ridge extending along a superior aspect of said handle in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of said elongated handle. 
     
     
         11 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein said fetal head support portion is one of formed of and covered with at least one of a foam material and a sponge material. 
     
     
         12 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein said flexible material has a Shore A hardness in a range between approximately 30 and 50. 
     
     
         13 . An obstetrical instrument, comprising:
 an elongated handle;   an intermediate member coupled with a distal end of said elongated handle; and   a fetal head support portion removably coupled with said intermediate member.   
     
     
         14 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 13 , a distal end of said elongated handle having a flared portion including a plurality of openings extending therethrough. 
     
     
         15 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 13 , said elongated handle having a proximal end including a bulbous portion. 
     
     
         16 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 13 , said elongated handle including a grip portion having a plurality of ridges extending around a circumference of said handle. 
     
     
         17 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 16 , said elongated handle including a ridge extending along a top side of said handle in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of said elongated handle. 
     
     
         18 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 17 , wherein said flared portion of said elongated handle, said intermediate member and said fetal head support portion each include a plurality of openings arranged to align with each other when the obstetrical instrument is assembled, said plurality of openings being configured to prevent a vacuum force between the head of a fetus and the obstetrical instrument. 
     
     
         19 . The obstetrical instrument according to  claim 13 , said fetal head support portion being one of formed of and covered by at least one of a foam material and a sponge material. 
     
     
         20 . A method of repositioning the head of a fetus, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an obstetrical instrument including:
 an elongated handle; and 
 a fetal head support portion coupled with a distal end of said elongated handle; and 
   inserting a distal end of the obstetrical instrument into the birth canal of a patient;   positioning said fetal head support portion of said obstetrical instrument directly adjacent to the head of the fetus; and   applying controlled pressure against the fetal head to reposition the fetal head through the birth canal into a uterine cavity of the patient.