Abstract: The apparatus includes a container (26) having an open upper end into which is fitted a stopper (20). From the lower peripheral surface of the stopper (20) depends a membrane (24) which forms a chamber containing one calibrating fluid (28). The stopper (20) is adapted to permit a medical probe to extend therethrough, the hub (16) needle (14) and sensor (12) of which extend beneath the membrane (24). Another calibrating fluid (30) is located in the container (26) beneath the membrane (24). The membrane (24) is capable of maintaining a fluid-tight seal as it is punctured by the needle (14) and of re-sealing itself when the needle (14) is removed, without permitting contamination of the one calibrating fluid (28) by the other calibrating fluid (30) and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a bladder element (10) which is at least partially filled with fluid, a belt-like element (12) which holds the bladder against the patient's abdomen with some pressure, and a pressure monitoring device (18) which is connected to the bladder (10) to detect changes in the pressure of the fluid in the bladder (10) as the abdomen hardens due to uterine contractions.

Abstract: The combination of a rigid, elongated applicator tool (200) and an elongated integral drive rod/probe (202). The drive rod/probe (202) is a rigid cable which includes a monitoring probe (204) with an extending spiral needle (206) at the front end thereof. At the rear end of the cable is a drive knob (236). The applicator tool (200) includes a hood element at the front end thereof which overlies the probe (204) and the needle (206) of the drive rod/probe (202) when the drive rod/probe (202) is positioned within the applicator tool (200). The applicator tool (200) includes a longitudinal slot (208) which permits insertion and removal of the drive rod/probe (202).

Abstract: A combined spiral EKG electrode and pH probe for use in monitoring a fetus during labor is described. The combined probe includes a spiral-shaped needle which acts as an EKG electrode and also houses a fiberoptic pH probe. Optical fibers and wires from the needle as well as from a reference electrode on the probe assembly are passed back through the cervix and vagina of a woman in order to provide simultaneous information as to both EKG and pH of the fetus during labor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a sample gas flow from an air tube of a patient undergoing automatic ventilation is disclosed. The air tube includes a gas diffusive membrane disposed in a wall of the air tube. The base of a funnel member is disposed to engage the air tube at the membrane, the area of the base substantially equal to the area of the membrane. The funnel member includes a tubular end portion opposite the base which end portion is disposed to be coupled to a sampling tube or gas monitoring equipment. Cross sectional area of the tubular end portion is substantially smaller than the area of the base. A pump in the gas monitoring system is coupled to the tubular end portion and causes a small portion of the gas in the air tube to pass through the membrane into the funnel. The velocity of the sample gas flow through the membrane is lower than the velocity through the tubular end portion but the sample gas flow rate remains constant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for securely and stably fastening a probe such as a pH electrode to a patient such as a fetus undergoing labor, and a locking applicator tool arrangement for effecting the attachment of such apparatus. The fastening device is a generally cylindrical piece having a broad concave operative surface with a helical wire screw centrally protruding therefrom and a trio of small pods equispaced on the periphery thereof. An axial threaded hole extends from the concave surface through the rear portion of the device for accepting the probe. The rear portion of the device is configured to cooperate with the locking applicator tool arrangement which comprises an inner tubular member for holding the device in its one end and a concentrically arranged outer locking tubular member for controlling the locking and release of the device.

Abstract: A disposable electrode for direct transcutaneous derivation of patient biopotentials, such as the ECG of an unborn fetus, the active electrode element of which has a tuberous pin configuration with at least one tuberosity arranged along its length for enabling atraumatic attachment to and removal from the patient. The active electrode element may be of curved and multi-tuberous configuration for particularly facilitating application and firm attachment thereof substantially parallel to the skin surface. Several embodiments of disposable applicator are disclosed by which the sense of feel of the effort of and during application is retained.

Abstract: Apparatus for diagnostic analysis of patient-installed pacemaker devices. Patient connection is made via standard ECG leads and an electrically floating front end subassembly having means providing precise gain to the paced ECG input signal and conversion thereof to a digital form via very high rate, monobit delta-sigma modulation digitization. The front end also contains special overload indication circuitry, a reciprocal attenuation network to ensure high fidelity of the information being processed by the system and crystal clock controlled calibration means for providing a validity check of virtually the entire system. A pacer pulse sensing network provides as separate outputs in analog form the on-line, real-time, paced ECG and the individual pulses generated by the pacemaker device.