Abstract: A vacuum extractor for use in childbirth which enables the baby's head to be easily maneuvered during delivery. The extractor comprises an open cup with an elongated stem having an opening through which a vacuum may be provided within the cup, and a pair of elongated arms coupled to the cup along substantially opposite sides of the cup. The arms are coupled to the cup by living hinges which allow at least one of the arms to be positioned against the rear, closed portion of the cup such that the extractor presents a relatively low profile for facilitating insertion of the extractor during childbirth. Once in position on the baby's head within the womb, the handles provided at the opposite ends of the arms may be used to maneuver the baby's head during delivery.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum pump with an attached vacuum limiter valve is disclosed. The pump includes a cylinder coupled with a handle, a piston in the cylinder coupled with another handle, along with a suitable valving assembly for allowing a vacuum to be drawn at an inlet of the pump. More particularly, there is also disclosed a vacuum limiter which can be attached to or form an integral part of the pump. The vacuum limiter includes a valve which is attached to the cylinder outlet port and which is adjustable for allowing the limit vacuum to be set.

Abstract: A filler cap, for filling a reservoir with a fluid and automatically controlling the level to which the fluid is filled, has a generally cylindrical base, a cap top attached to the base, a generally cylindrical base extension extending from the cap top, a face plate attached to the base extension, and a nozzle extending from the face plate. To facilitate control of the level to which a fluid is filled, the face plate includes one or more holes therethrough and the nozzle is longitudinally cut at an angle.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum pump with an attached vacuum release valve is disclosed. The vacuum release valve is oriented so that the hand-held vacuum pump and the vacuum release valve can be operated with the same hand. The vacuum release valve is operated using a trigger, allowing the operator to easily and controllably release the vacuum. The trigger is shaped to allow the operator to vary the vacuum release rate without changing the physical features of the mechanism. Further, a detachable trigger extension is disclosed which will enable operator's with small hands to operate the device with one hand.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a vacuum extractor for use in childbirth and comprising a bell shaped cup having a relatively thin outer flared edge, a hollow stem extending from the cup, and the stem including a handle. A vacuum source can be connected to the stem to draw a vacuum within the cup. A liner is hooked over the flared edge of the cup and provides a relatively large soft and resilient bead for the outer edge of the vacuum extractor which contacts maternal and fetal tissue. The liner is stretched into and secured within the cup and includes an aperture for allowing a vacuum to be drawn within the cup.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electrical junction block particularly for use with a fetal electrode and electronic monitor. The junction block comprises a housing having a cavity therein, and a substantially U-shaped spring disposed in the cavity. The spring has legs which are biased outwardly by a suitable coil spring. The housing contain electrical contacts and wires connected thereto, and the U-shaped spring can be depressed to provide openings for receiving electrode wires. A mounting pad can be disposed on the housing for facilitating mounting of the assembly on a person during use.

Abstract: A bipolar fetal monitoring electrode having an electrode body, a spiral electrode terminating in a point for engaging with fetal scalp, and a reference electrode insulated from the spiral electrode. The end of the electrode from which the spiral extends includes one or more protrusions in the form of points, ramps, ribs or the like to increase the resistance of the spiral from unwinding from the fetal scalp to which it is attached and thus to help prevent the spiral from unwinding spontaneously.

Abstract: The device of the present application, a hand held vacuum and pressure pump having an improved handle, provides a hand held pump with a handle suitable to be used by a person with a smaller hand without significant loss of stroke length or leverage. The handle having a movable arm which is compressible toward a fixed arm, at least one of the arms having an angled corner such that distal ends of the arms when not compressed are closer together than they would be without the corner, and at least one of the arms having a taper at the distal end of the arm such that the arms may compress together in a full stroke.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a small and compact vacuum pump which serves as a portable vacuum source. The pump basically includes a cylinder coupled with a handle, and a piston in the cylinder with another handle, along with a suitable valving assembly for allowing a vacuum to be drawn at an inlet of the pump. More particularly, there is also disclosed a tubing remover which can be attached to or form an integral part of the pump. The tubing remover comprises a lever and a fulcrum positioned in proximity to the vacuum port of the pump. One arm of the lever has an opening which is large enough to encircle the vacuum port, but smaller than the outside diameter of the tubing, such that the arm can be juxtaposed between the proximal end of the tubing and the pump. When the other arm of the lever is drawn towards the pump by a finger of the operator's hand, the arm proximating the tubing pushes the tubing away from the vacuum port.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a vacuum extractor for use in childbirth and comprising a bell shaped cup having a relatively thin outer flared edge, a hollow stem extending from the cup, and the stem including a handle. A vacuum source can be connected to the stem to draw a vacuum within the cup. A liner is hooked over the flared edge of the cup and provides a relatively large soft and resilient bead for the outer edge of the vacuum extractor which contacts maternal and fetal tissue. The liner is stretched into and secured within the cup and includes an aperture for allowing a vacuum to be drawn within the cup.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a bipolar fetal monitoring electrode having an electrode body, a spiral electrode terminating in a point for engaging with fetal scalp, and a reference electrode insulated from the spiral electrode. The end of the electrode from which the spiral extends includes one or more protrusions in the form of points, ramps, ribs or the like to increase the resistance of the spiral from unwinding from the fetal scalp to which it is attached and thus to help prevent the spiral from unwinding spontaneously.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an inexpensive, compact vacuum release which can be operated with one finger. The vacuum release comprises a base which is affixed to the wall of a vessel, a plunger which extends through a channel in the base, a rocker which raises the plunger to an open position in response to finger pressure, and a spring which biases the plunger to a closed position. The plunger has multiple passageways in which air can flow from the atmosphere into the vessel when the plunger is in the open position, and an "O" ring which closes off the air flow when the plunger is in the closed position. Since the vacuum release need not be permanently affixed to the vessel, it can be used on a wide variety of new and existing vessels, and can be replaced at will.

Abstract: An improved vacuum extractor for childbirth including a cup portion with an elongated stem joined thereto. A portion of the elongated stem adjacent to the cup portion is provided with additional flexibility to allow bending of the elongated stem at the point of flexibility thereby permitting the cup to be folded into a position substantially parallel to the elongated stem thereby facilitating insertion into the birth canal. In a preferred embodiment, a separate handle piece is attachable to an end of the elongated stem opposite to the cup portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a small and compact vacuum pump which serves as a portable vacuum source. The pump basically includes a cylinder coupled with a handle, and a piston in the cylinder coupled with another handle, along with a suitable valving assembly for allowing a vacuum to be drawn at an inlet of the pump. More particularly, there is also disclosed a vacuum release which can be attached to or form an integral part of the pump. The vacuum release comprises a closure member which can be moved upwardly and downwardly in a housing to close and open with respect to a valve seat and, respectively, allow a vacuum to be pulled or release the vacuum. The closure member is arranged to rotate and is biased by a suitable helical torsion spring to normally maintain the closure member in the closed position to therefore normally allow a vacuum to be drawn by the pump.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a small and compact vacuum pump which serves as a portable vacuum source. The pump basically includes a cylinder coupled with a handle, and a piston in the cylinder coupled with another handle, along with a suitable valving assembly for allowing a vacuum to be drawn at an inlet of the pump. More particularly, there is also disclosed a vacuum limiter which can be attached to or form an integral part of the pump. The vacuum limiter includes an assembly having a pair of valves one of which is adjustable for allowing the limit vacuum to be set. The adjustable valve is a metering check valve and the second valve is a holding check valve upstream of the first.

Abstract: A small and compact vacuum-pressure pump which serves as a portable vacuum-pressure source is disclosed. The pump includes a cylinder coupled with one handle and a piston therein coupled with another handle. A valving means with a rotatable in a cylinder allows either a vacuum or pressure to be created at a port to the valving means. The valving means which is located ahead of an inlet valve to the cylinder can adapt a preexisting vacuum pump to operate either as a vacuum pump or a pressure pump as required.

Abstract: A small and compact vacuum pump which serves as a postable vacuum source is disclosed. The pump includes a cylinder coupled with one handle and a piston therein coupled with another handle, along with a wafer valve assembly for allowing a vacuum to be drawn at an inlet of the pump. A previous version of the pump is improved upon by the use of different valve assemblies, to produce a more reliable, more easily assembled and less expensive vacuum pump. A vacuum release mechanism is provided operable with a finger of the hand about the handle.

Abstract: A small and compact vacuum-pressure pump which serves as a portable vacuum-pressure source is disclosed. The pump includes a cylinder coupled with one handle and a piston therein coupled with another handle. A valving means with a rotatable in a cylinder allows either a vacuum or pressure to be created at a port to the valving means. The valving means which is located ahead of an inlet valve to the cylinder can adapt a preexisting vacuum pump to operate either as a vacuum pump or a pressure pump as required.

Abstract: A container lid for liquid transfer having a double-tapered liquid transfer sleeve for providing an air-tight seal around a fluid transfer conduit and having an air passage part.

Abstract: An electrode and carrier assembly is disclosed for attachment to a biological subject, such as a fetus during labor and delivery to monitor the fetal heart rate. The electrode structure includes a clip-like body having clamping portions and members adapted to engage cam surfaces within a carrier. While the electrode structure is housed within the carrier the clamping portions are held apart. Attachment is accomplished by placing the carrier against the subject and moving the members into engagement with the cam surfaces, whereby the cam surfaces eject the electrode structure from the carrier by the cam action thus allowing the clamping portions thereof to clamp onto the subject's skin. The carrier may then be removed completely, leaving only the electrode structure with its associated wiring.