Graphic Controls Corporation

Glenn A Thomas

James R Hubbard

David M DiSabito

George R Allen

Joseph C Naphy

An intrauterine pressure catheter system for monitoring pressure in the uterus of a mother during labor and delivery. The system includes a reusable junction box with a needle communicating directly to a pressure transducer sensor. The sensor transmits changes in pressure to a conventional pressure monitor. A connector attached to the catheter is pushed into the junction box and is held in place by a plastic latch. Inside this connector are an elastomeric plug and an adjacent diaphragm. When the connector is installed in the junction box, the needle pierces the plug and the tip enters the air-filled volume between the plug and the diaphragm. Fluid pressure in the catheter is communicated to the diaphragm surface and, in turn, passed to the air in the volume between the diaphragm and the plug. Thus, the intrauterine pressure is transmitted directly to the sensor. The system may be zeroed to atmosphere by simply removing the connector from the junction box.

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N. East Amherst, NY, United States of America

Glenn A Thomas