Abstract: A leg plate for fastening to an expectant mother's skin interconnects electrodes at the fetal scale with an external heart rate monitor and also senses voltage at the maternal skin to enable elimination of the maternal heartbeat from the output data. The leg plate has a base member with a pair of recesses into which the two output wires of the fetal scalp electrode attachment may be inserted and two hinged snap action covers which may be separately pivoted to close the recesses and to clamp the wires against internal contacts. Output cable conductors connect with the contacts and with a sensing electrode on the underside of the leg plate. The base member, cover and hinges are unitary portions of a single plastic molding enabling the leg plate to be compact, inexpensive and disposable after a single use. In the preferred form, a peelable fluid tight sheet covers a layer of electrically conductive adhesive on the underside of the leg plate enabling quick and simple attachment of the device to the maternal skin.

Abstract: A sealed package contains a glove of the type worn by medical practitioners when one or more fingers must be inserted into openings in a patient's body and also contains a supply of lubricant for the glove in a separate sealed compartment. The package is formed by sheets of material bonded along zones that define two compartments, the bonding being weaker than the material itself enabling one sheet to be peeled away from the other to open both compartments with one motion of the hands. The package further contains a glove holder which spreads the cuff of the glove to facilitate entry of a hand and which also protects the outer surface of the glove from contamination during the process of putting the glove on.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing heart activity and especially heart activity from a fetal epidermis during the birth of a child. A fetal electrode introducer includes a rigid guide tube with an intermediate universal joint which allows the guide tube to be bent at the best angle to accommodate each patient. The intermediate joint allows a smooth transmission of the rotary motion manually applied at a distal handle to drive the electrode into the fetal epidermis.A sliding sleeve covers the fetal electrode to provide a bearing for rotation, protects the electrode from contamination, and also serves as a resistance means to indicate to the user that the assembly has abutted against the fetal epidermis. Such resisting means includes either a detent or lockable system, or a breakable membrane.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing heart activity and especially heart activity from a fetal epidermis during the birth of a child. A fetal electrode introducer includes a rigid guide tube with an intermediate universal joint which allows the guide tube to be bent at the best angle to accommodate each patient. The intermediate joint allows a smooth transmission of the rotary motion manually applied at a distal handle to drive the electrode into the fetal epidermis.A sliding sleeve covers the fetal electrode to provide a bearing for rotation, protects the electrode from contamination, and also serves as a resistance means to indicate to the user that the assembly has abutted against the fetal epidermis. Such resisting means includes either a detent or lockable system, or a breakable membrane.