Abstract: A method is taught for the accurate determination of the premature rupture of membranes (PROM), defined as spontaneous rupture of membranes before the onset of uterine contractions. More specifically, a lateral flow assay strip tests for at least two antigens to greatly limit or eliminate the possibility of false negatives. A built in timer in the cassette holding the lateral flow assay further increases the accuracy of the test. A collection buffer vial with self-contained shipping and dropper caps and built in stand is also taught.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprising a de-composable compound such as hydrogen peroxide as a primary additive to generate bubbles within a fluid medium such as an aqueous slurry of tar sands. The size range of bubbles, density (number per unit volume) of bubbles, and rate of in situ generations of bubbles are controlled by controlling process variables including but not limited to temperature, concentration of decomposable compound residence time, pressure, viscous shear, ratio of water to solids, pH of the slurry, shape of the separation vessel, and addition of one or more secondary process additives.

Abstract: A processing apparatus comprises a plurality of processors 12, each arranged to perform an instruction, and a bus 20 arranged to carry data and control tokens between the processors. Each processor 12 is arranged, if it receives a control token via the bus, to carry out the instruction, and on carrying out the instruction, to perform an operation on the data, to identify any of the processors 12 which are to be data target processors, and to transmit output data to any identified data target processors, to identify any of the processors which are to be control target processors, and to transmit a control token to any identified control target processors.

Abstract: A processing apparatus comprises a plurality of processors (12), each arranged to perform an instruction, and a bus (20) arranged to carry data and control tokens between the processors. Each processor (12) is arranged, if it receives a control token via the bus, to carry out the instruction, and on carrying out the instruction, to perform an operation on the data, to identify any of the processors (12) which are to be data target processors, and to transmit output data to any identified data target processors, to identify any of the processors which are to be control target processors, and to transmit a control token to any identified control target processors.

Abstract: A method is taught for the accurate determination of the premature rupture of membranes (PROM), defined as spontaneous rupture of membranes before the onset of uterine contractions. More specifically, a lateral flow assay strip tests for at least two antigens to greatly limit or eliminate the possibility of false negatives. A built in timer in the cassette holding the lateral flow assay further increases the accuracy of the test. A collection buffer vial with self-contained shipping and dropper caps and built in stand is also taught.

Abstract: A processing system comprises a plurality of processors (12) and communication means (20) arranged to carry messages between the processors, wherein each of the processors (12) has an operating instruction memory field (32, 34, 36) arranged to hold stored operating instructions including a re-routing target address. Each processor is arranged to receive a message (38) including operating instructions including a target address.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum adapted to be positioned within a vagina has a hollow cylindrical body with means integral therewith for distending the vagina internally of the introitus, whereby the speculum allows visualisation of, and access to and through the cervix, without distending the cervix. In one embodiment the hollow cylindrical body has an inner and outer tube, which are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical body between a first position, wherein the distending means is closed and a second position, wherein the distending means is distended. In this embodiment the distending means is a plurality of elongate members connected between the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes. In the first position the elongate members lie along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical and in the second position they are bent out from the hollow cylindrical body as the distance between the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes has been shortened.

Abstract: A processing apparatus comprises a plurality of processors (12), each arranged to perform an instruction, and a bus (20) arranged to carry data and control tokens between the processors. Each processor (12) is arranged, if it receives a control token via the bus, to carry out the instruction, and on carrying out the instruction, to perform an operation on the data, to identify any of the processors (12) which are to be data target processors, and to transmit output data to any identified data target processors, to identify any of the processors which are to be control target processors, and to transmit a control token to any identified control target processors.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted fetal extraction apparatus and a monitoring device for use in conjunction therewith. The monitoring device includes a circuit including a timer operably coupled with a switch, which may comprise a differential pressure sensor. The switch is configured to be actuated by the formation of a vacuum to secure the fetal extractor to a fetus. At least partial release of the vacuum releases the switch to stop or pause the timer. The timer may be configured to be reset such that it only records or displays the duration of a specific application of the vacuum device, or it may be configured to record or display a cumulative duration based upon multiple applications of the vacuum device in an absolute sense or during a defined time period. Magnitude as well as the cumulative number of applications of an applied vacuum may also be measured and, optionally, displayed, as may the number of times traction force is applied to an infant during delivery.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted fetal extraction apparatus and a monitoring device for use in conjunction therewith. The monitoring device includes a circuit including a timer operably coupled with a switch, which may comprise a differential pressure sensor. The switch is configured to be actuated by the formation of a vacuum to secure the fetal extractor to a fetus. At least partial release of the vacuum releases the switch to stop or pause the timer. The timer may be configured to be reset such that it only records or displays the duration of a specific application of the vacuum device, or it may be configured to record or display a cumulative duration based upon multiple applications of the vacuum device in an absolute sense or during a defined time period. Magnitude as well as the cumulative number of applications of an applied vacuum may also be measured and, optionally, displayed, as may the number of times traction force is applied to an infant during delivery.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting blood from a fetal scalp. The apparatus includes an elongated housing containing a longitudinally spring-loaded, sharp-pointed, beveled blade disposed at the distal end thereof which can be advanced against the spring bias from the distal end against the fetal scalp. A groove located on an exterior side surface of the distal end of the housing is sized to receive a capillary tube which is resiliently retained on the housing with its distal end proximate a recessed region at the distal end of the housing. The groove may be oriented parallel to the housing, or at an angle thereto, to enhance visualization of blood pooling in the recessed region filling the capillary tube after an incision in the scalp is made using the blade. A light source may be included in or on the apparatus, or on the interior of an amnioscope with which the apparatus is employed. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A hydrophobic electrostatic breathing filter is fabricated by applying a thin layer of adhesive to the pinch ring of a patient side filter housing portion. A hydrophobic membrane is positioned over the adhesively coated pinch ring to effect a hermetic seal between the pinch ring and membrane using the adhesive interface. Electrostatic filter media and scrim are positioned adjacent the pinch ring of a machine side filter housing portion, and the patient and machine side portions of the housing are then welded together to hold the electrostatic filter media/scrim in place adjacent the hermetically sealed hydrophobic membrane by a mechanical clamping force exerted by the pinch rings. The resultant filter includes a hydrophobic membrane which is hermetically sealed across the patient side of the filter housing, and an electrostatic filter media/scrim element which is independent of the hydrophobic membrane and which is mechanically held in place adjacent the hydrophobic membrane.

Abstract: A Norton equivalent implementation of a fail safe bias circuit drives a bus to provide a stable bias voltage which is not affected by an output impedance of a current source. The Norton equivalent implementation has first current source, a bias resistor and a current sink in series. The bias resistor is connected across a pair of differential bus lines so that the current flowing through the bias resistor causes a bias voltage to be generated between the bus lines. The current to the bias resistor is selectively switched on and off to control the bias voltage so that the bias voltage can be turned off during high speed data transfers on the bus.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.