System and method for child-birth monitoring and assistance

Abstract

The invention is generally a system, apparatus, and method for monitoring and measuring a change in intrauterine pressure without rupturing the amniotic sac. A catheter is coupled to a pressure sensing module. The pressure sensing module is configured with a chamber that is in fluid communication with a balloon of the catheter. The chamber includes a pressure-sensing membrane coupled to sensing circuitry. The sensing circuitry is configured to detect a pressure applied to the pressure-sensing membrane and communicate the condition to a monitor of the system. Methods include inserting the catheter through the cervix so that the balloon may be inflated and situated in the lower segment of the uterus, resting against the amniotic sac. Because the balloon of the catheter is in fluid communication with the pressure-sensing membrane, pulsations of the amniotic sac will be sensed by the sensing circuitry of the pressure sensing module.

1 . A system for monitoring and measuring a change in intrauterine pressure during labor, without rupturing an amniotic sac, comprising:
 a catheter configured for manipulation by an operator, the catheter including:   a distal end adapted to be placed at least partially inside a cervix of a patient;   a uterine balloon situated substantially at the distal end of the catheter adapted to be placed at least partially inside a lower segment of a uterus of the patient;   a first port situated at the proximal end of the catheter;   a conduit fluidly communicating the first port to an interior of the uterine balloon, wherein the uterine balloon is inflated by introducing a fluid through the first port;   a blunt distal tip having a distal opening;   a lumen extending throughout the length of the catheter from the distal opening to the proximal end;   a hollow tubular support in the lumen to support the uterine balloon and maintain patency of the lumen to provide access to the amniotic sac through the distal opening; and   a pressure-sensing module coupled to the catheter configured to detect a pressure applied to the uterine balloon of the catheter.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter further comprises a second balloon that is a vaginal balloon situated closer to the proximal end of the catheter than the uterine balloon and adapted to secure the uterine balloon inside the uterus. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising sensing circuitry including a communications module to transmit sensing data concerning the pressure applied to the uterine balloon of the catheter. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensing module is removably coupled to the sensing circuitry, the sensing circuitry situated external to the pressure-sensing module. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a monitor for reading sensing data concerning the pressure applied to the uterine balloon of the catheter. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for monitoring and measuring a change in intrauterine pressure during labor, without rupturing the amniotic sac, comprising the steps of:
 coupling a pressure-sensing module to a catheter;   inserting the catheter into a vagina and through a cervical canal of a female patient, wherein: a distal end of the catheter is placed inside the cervical canal, and a proximal end of the catheter is kept outside the cervical canal, the catheter including:   a uterine balloon in fluid communication with the proximal end and attached at or near the distal end of the catheter, a first port situated at the proximate end of the catheter, a second port situated at the proximate end of the catheter, a conduit fluidly communicating the first port and the second port to an interior of the uterine balloon, and a vaginal balloon situated closer to the proximate end of the catheter than the uterine balloon and adapted to secure the uterine balloon inside the uterus;   inflating the uterine balloon from the proximal end and through the catheter by introducing a fluid through a first port of the catheter so that the fluid inflates the balloon and enters a first chamber of the sensing module;   inflating the vaginal balloon to anchor the uterine balloon inside the lower segment of the uterus so that the uterine balloon rests against an amniotic sac of the female patient; and   reading a pressure output from the pressure-sensing module.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the uterine balloon at a lower segment of a uterus of the female patient, prior to inflating the uterine balloon. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the vaginal balloon at an external orifice of the uterus of the female patient, prior to inflating the vaginal balloon. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising inserting, through an opening at the distal end of the catheter, a temperature transducer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising inserting, through an opening at the distal end of the catheter, an image transducer.