Parker-hannifin Corporation

Gould Inc.

Solartron Electronics, Inc.

Roy K Kodama

Robert B Guthrie

Donald J Koneval

Hooshmand Zaghi

Oscar Garza

Andrew Gilman

The present invention provides a system for enabling the sensing of changes in pressure in response to uterine muscle tone changes relating to contractions, and for enabling the evaluation of contractions based thereon. The system enables a portion thereof to effectively and efficiently project at least partially below the non-compressed abdominal surface, and provides electrical isolation of the system elements. It enables ease of use and enhanced patient comfort. It also enables maximized sensitivity and minimized system loading retention pressure.

Uterine contraction sensing system and method

A physiological pressure sensing and monitoring system including a sterile throwaway pressure transducing device. The device includes a pressure transducer mounted together with a flow control valve in a housing. The device includes a first connector for connecting the device to a source of sterile solution, a second connector for electrically connecting the pressure transducer to a monitoring device, and a third connector for selectively connecting the device to a catheter inserted into a patient's circulatory system. The device, including the connectors, is made to be low cost so as to permit the entire device to be installed and discarded as a unit so as to constitute a throwaway pressure sensing and flow regulator. The pressure transducer includes a novel mounting of the strain gage beam to the isolator which has been found to effectively avoid cracking and breaking of the beam from the stress forces applied thereto in the operation of the device. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface of the beam is secured to the upper surface of the isolator, and the upper surface of the beam is engaged by a link connected to a displaceable diaphragm. The isolator is connected by a pair of supports to a frame such that thermally induced stresses in the frame do not affect the zero-point of the strain gage.

Disposable physiological pressure sensing system

A fluid pressure transmitting diaphragm assembly is disclosed in which a diaphragm support plate (14) and a force transmitting disk (16) are attached respectively to the outer flange (46) and inner flange (48) of an annular diaphragm (44) having a concave portion (50) between the flanges, the concave portion having been formed by fluid pressure acting on the diaphragm to freely deform it following hermetic welding of the flanges. A method of manufacturing such an assembly also is disclosed.

Fluid pressure transmitting diaphragm assembly and method of manufacture

An improved isolation diaphragm assembly for use in pressure transducers includes an open plenum containing an inert transmission fluid such as silicone oil. The plenum opening is bridged by a corrugated, circular diaphragm which has been tack welded at spaced locations on its periphery and then deformed into an underlying circular groove in the transducer housing, thereby providing a smooth sealing surface between the tack welds and the deformed portion. A domed cover having an O-ring seal contacting the smooth sealing surface is attached to the transducer housing so that a fluid whose pressure is to be measured may be introduced on the other side of the diaphragm from the inert transmission fluid. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

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Thousand Oaks, CA, United States of America

Roy K Kodama