Abstract: The childbirth-assisting device uses an automatically synchronized expandable pneumatic girdle-to externally augment the secondary force of labor. The pneumatic girdle is fitted around the abdomen of the woman and the girdle is inflated to create a downward pressure on the abdomen when a contraction occurs. The synchronization of the girdle's inflation and the contractions is provided by an electronic controller which receives a signal from an intra-uterine monitor indicating a contraction and causes the girdle to inflate at a certain rate until a preset intra-uterine pressure is attained. Once the intra-uterine pressure reaches the pre-set pressure, the girdle pressure is maintained until the offset of the contraction is detected, at which time the girdle is deflated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 1993
Date of Patent:
April 11, 1995
Assignee:
JCS Biomedical, Inc.
Inventors:
Soonkap Hahn, Wei Pan, Ron Yamamoto, Peter M. Lloyd, Mingying Gai