Utah Medical Products Inc.

Clinical Innovation Associates, Inc.

Clinical Innovations, LLC

Other

Ric Investments, Inc.

Clinical Innovations Associates, Inc.

Christopher A Cutler

William D Wallace

Steven R Smith

Wm Dean Wallace

Richard A Dixon

R Gail Billings

Jon N Neese

B Tod Cook

Dwayne Ronald Westenskow

Justin S Clark

Frederick L Farr

W Dean Wallace

David A Bush

Daniel J McGraw

Mark A Dowdle

Scott D Gentry

Trent W Banks

Clifford G Montagnoli

Nick Tu

William Dean Wallace

An optical measuring device having multiple optical paths between one or more light emitters and one or more light detectors and/or providing at least two sets of wavelength of light along at least one path, with a final measurement being produced as a combination of measurements of the sets of wavelengths of light taken along one or more of the optical paths. Features that contribute to increased safety and ease of use include providing (1) a receiving cavity in a proximal end of an insertion rod that holds a free end of a circuit connector to keep it from becoming tangled or snagged, (2) a mechanism to keep the sensor within an introducer tube during storage and insertion and to expose a portion of the sensor only when the sensor is applied to the unborn baby, (3) a tab on the insertion rod to prevent the circuit connector from becoming tangled or snagged within the introducer tube, (4) a rotating feature whereby if a torque applied on the sensor exceeds a first predetermined amount, the sensor rotates, and a disengaging feature whereby the sensor detaches from insertion rod if a pull-off force exceeds a second predetermined amount, the rotating and disengaging features being independent of one another, (5) a circuit connector that includes at least one of the following features: (a) a stiffening member provided at the proximal end to minimize bending, (b) a shielding layer, and (c) at least one slit to increase the flexibility of the circuit connector, and (6) an interface that includes an identification element that is detected by an external circuit only if the circuit connector is connected to the interface. The present invention also pertains to a method of manufacturing a needle that is used in an invasive sensor, and preferably for fetal monitoring, that provides features not heretofore available in conventional sensors.

Fetal oximetry system and sensor

A fetal heart rate electrode assembly, a connector for use therewith and a cable assembly including a housing assembly configured for engagement with the connector. The electrode assembly includes a drive knob configured and located for selective extension of a fetal scalp electrode beyond a distal end thereof. The connector comprises a rotationally omnidirectional contact assembly disposed within a dielectric housing including an annular groove on the exterior thereof The housing assembly includes longitudinally resiliently biased pin contacts for end face contact with the contacts of the connector disposed within an inner housing of the housing assembly having an O-ring and an annular retention element positioned to respectively wipe the exterior of the connector housing and grasp the connector housing at the annular groove when the connector is inserted thereinto. A system and methods of use are also disclosed.

Fetal heart rate electrode assembly, connector for same, cable assembly, system, and methods of use

A urodynamic catheter incorporating at least one balloon adjacent a distal end thereof and associated with a pressure lumen extending to a proximal end to be placed external to the body of a patient and usable with a transducer housing including a pressure transducer and a mechanism for alternatively venting an air column defined by the assembled pressure lumen and transducer housing to the ambient environment and closing the air column and charging it with air while reducing volume of the air column. One embodiment includes two, separately-chargeable balloons and a bladder fill tube, another embodiment includes a single balloon and a fill tube, and yet another embodiment, suitable for use as a reference catheter to measure abdominal pressure, includes only a single balloon and omits the fill tube. A novel catheter architecture and assembly technique are also disclosed, as are methods of using the inventive catheter.

Urodynamic catheter and methods of fabrication and use

A vacuum extractor for use in childbirth is described. The vacuum extractor includes a handle and a vacuum cup with a force sensor coupled to the vacuum extractor. The force sensor measures the traction force applied between the vacuum cup and the handle for assisting the birthing attendant in applying an appropriate traction force. The force sensor may also include a slipping mechanism which causes the length of the force sensor to distinctly increase if the applied traction force exceeds a certain level such as twenty pounds. Thus, the birthing attendant may feel the slipping and thus determine that the traction force has exceeded the certain value.

Traction force sensing vacuum extractor

A pressure catheter for monitoring changes in pressure within the body is comprised of an outer tube containing a fluid channel and a closed air column having a pressure-compliant member which is deformable upon an increase in pressure. A change in pressure deforms the pressure-compliant member, which modifies the pressure in the air column, and is translated to a pressure sensor, which converts the pressure change data to an electrical signal recognizable by a fetal monitor. The outer tube employs a window extending along at least a portion of the side thereof for viewing of bodily fluids moving through the fluid channel from the body in which the catheter is inserted toward the proximal catheter end. The pressure catheter of the present invention is particularly suitable for intrauterine pressure monitoring during labor. Viewing of amniotic fluid through the window facilitates verification of proper catheter tip placement within the amniotic fluid space. Venting closures for facilitating venting of fluid through the channel are also disclosed.

Pressure catheter device with enhanced fluid monitoring features

A hand-held fetal vacuum extractor combines a pump and handle into a single hand-held unit. This enables a single operator, such as a doctor, to control vacuum using a vacuum pump, and apply traction to a fetus using a single hand. A handle, having a surface for gripping, is connected to a fetal vacuum cup for being suctioned onto a fetal head. A vacuum pump is connected to the handle and includes an activation surface for activating the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is fluidly coupled to a the vacuum cup and fetal head. The grip surface of the handle and the activation surface of the pump are in such proximity, during operation, that a single human hand can simultaneously grasp the grip surface and contact the activation surface.

Hand-held fetal vacuum extractor having an integrated pump and handle

The fetal contact cup portion of a fetal vacuum cup has an inside surface which, when applied to a fetal head, defines a fetal contact chamber with the fetal head. One end of a tube is attached to the fetal contact cup such that vacuums within the tube are applied within the fetal contact cup. The other end of the tube can be connected with a vacuum source and with a handle. The tube has a very small average outside diameter compared with conventional fetal vacuum tubes. Thus the fetal vacuum cup is less intrusive during insertion and is more easily maneuverable, especially when the fetus is malpresenting in, for example, the high occipitoposterior or high occipitolateral positions. The average outside diameter of the tube may be, for example, less than 150 mils and has a finger grip that compression fits into a recess defined by the outer surface of the fetal contact cup for a lower profile and easy positioning of the fetal contact cup onto the flexion point of the fetal head. During traction, however, the finger grip pulls out of the recess for more efficient traction. The fetal contact cup may have a soft lip for contacting the fetal head. Furthermore, the tubing may have markings to indicate proper positioning of the fetal vacuum cup over the flexion point.

Maneuverable fetal vacuum extraction for use with malpresenting fetus

A pressure catheter for monitoring changes in pressure within the body is comprised of an outer hollow tube containing a fluid channel and a closed air column having a pressure-compliant member which is deformable upon an increase in pressure. A change in pressure deforms the pressure-compliant member, which modifies the pressure in the air column, and is translated to a pressure sensor which converts the pressure change data to an electrical signal recognizable by a fetal monitor. The pressure catheter of the present invention is particularly suitable for intrauterine pressure monitoring during labor.

Intrauterine pressure catheter device

Pressure catheter device with enhanced positioning features

An electronic calculator is disclosed for calculating important obstetrical dates based on the entry of certain variables or information. The electronic calculator is structured to accept input relating to the last menstrual period, conception date, estimated date of confinement and estimated gestational age. The entry of any one of these variables of information, along with the entry of a reference date, allows the calculator to calculate the other, remaining variables. The electronic calculator provides information similar to that conventionally obtained from an obstetric wheel or birth wheel, but additionally provides for the capability of recalculating and updating the obstetric dates based on new or additional information input into the calculator. The dates calculated using the invention are, therefore, more accurate and can be stored in memory for recall at each subsequent obstetrical visit. The calculator can also be used to calculate and schedule future dates for testing or observance based on the input and calculated variables.

Obstetrical and gynecological event and status calculator

A disposable uterine manipulator including a pivotable tip support at the distal end of an elongated insertion rod for carrying a manipulator tip assembly, the tip support being rotatable by a manual drive at the proximal end of the insertion rod via a drive linkage to effectuate a range of rotation of the tip support of at least greater than 90.degree. anteversion and at least greater than 30.degree. retroversion. The manual drive may be an articulated linkage, a belt drive, or an axle drive. Several designs for a manipulator tip assembly including a balloon and a dye injection passage are also disclosed.

Uterine manipulator and manipulator tip assembly

An apparatus for facilitating diathermy coagulation or ablation of tissue by the application of an electrical current to tissue is connectable to an electrosurgical generator having an active lead and a return lead, and has both monopolar and bipolar embodiments. A preferred monopolar embodiment includes a shaft and a knurled active electrode rotatably secured to the shaft. A preferred bipolar embodiment includes a knurled active electrode separated by an insulator from a return electrode, with the active and return electrodes rotatably secured to a shaft by axles. The shafts may be Y-shaped, crook-shaped, or otherwise. The active electrodes have a plurality of discrete electrically conductive discharge points for applying the electrical current to a plurality of discrete tissue locations, the discharge points preferably being formed as knurl peaks. The active electrode may be formed of a stick-resistant metal, may be covered in part or whole by a nonstick coating, and may be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Diathermy coagulation and ablation apparatus and method

An electrosurgical loop comprising an insulated shaft with an electrical contact at its proximate end and a pair of extending insulated prongs at its distal end. The extending prongs are configured to give the loop a 'Y' shape and each end of a thin wire are connected to each prong to provide a wire loop. Disposed over the shaft in longitudinal sliding engagement is a depth gauge comprising a clasp, a longitudinal intermediate portion, and a transverse cross bar. The clasp may be retrofit to an existing electrosurgical loop and permits the removal of the depth gauge from the loop, if desired. The transverse cross bar is wider than the breadth of the wire loop and has a transverse slot oriented in the same plane as the wire loop through which the wire loop passes as the depth gauge is adjusted for various cutting depths. Disposed on the insulated shaft are markings serving as depth indicators to which the depth gauge may be moved slidably to effect cut depth control for the loop. The loop may be constructed by punching a series of shaft blanks from a conductive metal stock, and rolling the electrical contact prior to applying the insulation. Also, prior to applying the insulation, the wire loop can be connected to the shaft blank to maintain the flow of electrical current through the shaft into the wire loop.

Electrosurgical loop with a depth gauge

An electrosurgical unit which combines an electrosurgical power generator and a filtered smoke removal system into a single compact instrument comprising an electrosurgical generator module and a smoke removal module. The electrosurgical generator module is designed specifically to accommodate an electrosurgical tool during LEEP or LLETZ procedures. The electrosurgical generator module provides power to the electrosurgical tool at a predetermined level. The smoke removal module removes and filters smoke from the site of the electrosurgery. A switching circuitry activates the smoke removal module substantially simultaneous to the activation of the electrosurgical tool so that the smoke removal module is activated automatically whenever the electrosurgical tool is activated. The switching circuitry also delays the deactivation of the smoke removal module for a predetermined amount of time after the electrosurgical tool has been deactivated. The electrosurgical tool alternatively can be connected, concentrically or in parallel, to a smoke evacuation tube in communication with the smoke removal module.

Growing community of inventors

Centerville, UT, United States of America

Christopher A Cutler