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 device for assisting the delivery of a baby. The device comprises a cup having a rim arranged to engage, in use, with the head of a baby. A conduit is attached to the cup and, in use, to a vacuum generating pump to generate a cup-retaining vacuum in the cup. A disk is suspended centrally within the cup by plural force absorbing members, such as springs or elastic members, and is used for absorbing forces that are not perpendicular to the plane of the head engaging rim of the cup during use.

Abstract: An obstetrical vacuum extractor is disclosed herein which comprises: a vacuum cup having an interior; an elongated hollow stem having a longitudinal axis, a first open end fixedly joined to the cup so as to communicate with the cup interior, and an opposing second open end; and a handle having first and second handle portions on opposite sides of the stem longitudinal axis, the handle being mounted on the stem to allow rotation of the stem and cup with respect to the handle and substantially prevent axial movement of the handle on the stem.

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: An obstetrical vacuum extractor comprising a vacuum cup to which a disk assembly and attached traction cord are rotatably coupled. The cup has a protrusion extending from its base, and the disk assembly a bore for receiving the protrusion. The protrusion is then preferably ultrasonically welded to create a button to rotatably retain the disk assembly on the cup.

Abstract: The obstetrical vacuum extractor includes a vacuum cup molded of a first, relatively rigid material, with a lip of a second, relatively soft material secured along the basal opening. An elongated hollow stem which may be coupled to a vacuum source communicates with the interior and, accordingly, the basal opening of the vacuum cup. The first, relatively rigid material of the cup is preferably substantially transparent so that the physician may readily monitor the condition of the fetal scalp throughout delivery.

Abstract: A vacuum extractor for extracting a fetus from a birth canal during childbirth is provided. The vacuum extractor includes a cup, a substantially rigid stem, and a handle. The cup is provided with a flexible closed top end to enable the stem to be selectively moved from an operational position wherein the stem extends from the closed top end of the cup in substantial axial alignment with a vertical axis of the cup to an insertion position wherein the stem is angularly disposed relative to the vertical axis of the cup and a portion of the stem is recessed into the flexible closed top end of the cup to permit insertion of the cup into the birth canal. The handle has a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending therethrough from the first end to the second end. The handle is connected to the stem such that the first and second ends of the handle extend substantially laterally from the stem and the passageway of the handle in fluid communication with the vacuum cup.

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 vacuum extractor for extracting a fetus from a birth canal during childbirth is provided. The vacuum extractor includes a cup, a stem, and a handle. The handle has a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending therethrough from the first end to the second end. The handle is connected to the stem such that the first and second ends of the handle extend substantially laterally from the stem and the passageway of the handle in fluid communication with the vacuum cup. The first end of the handle is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, and the second end is adapted to receive a vacuum release valve.

Abstract: An obstetric vacuum extractor is provided for assistance in the delivery of a baby. The extractor includes a suction cup of flexible polymeric material to be attached to a portion of the head of a baby. The cup has a flexible integrally formed hollow extension for connection to a source of vacuum and also being connectable to a handle. The cup also has an internal integral skirt extending from its inner surface, the skirt extending adjacent to the rim of the cup.

Abstract: Flexible, collapsible, dome or cylinder-shaped bonnet that provides a substantially airtight fit to a fetal head and utilizes frictional and internally-created vacuum forces for assisting childbirth. The bonnet is manually inserted and rolled over the cranium of the fetus, stopping short of the eyes and the ears. Friction and internally created vacuum forces are created when the bonnet is pulled, thus securing the bonnet to the fetus's head and allowing orientation and delivery. The device is comprised of a dome or cylinder-shaped body made of a collapsible elastic material, an optional raised "lip" located on the exterior of the open end, and may have a mechanical extension attached to the closed end. System embodiments allow for the attachment to the exterior of the closed end grommets and/or mechanical extensions that will irreversibly stretch, lengthen, and expose warning alerts in the event that excessive longitudinal force is applied.

Abstract: Flexible, collapsible, dome or cylinder-shaped bonnet that provides a substantially airtight fit to a fetal head and utilizes frictional and internally-created vacuum forces for assisting childbirth. The bonnet is manually inserted and rolled over the cranium of the fetus, stopping short of the eyes and the ears. Friction and internally created vacuum forces are created when the bonnet is pulled, thus securing the bonnet to the fetus's head and allowing orientation and delivery. The device is comprised of a dome or cylinder-shaped body made of a collapsible elastic material, an optional raised "lip" located on the exterior of the open end, and may have a mechanical extension attached to the closed end. System embodiments allow for the attachment to the exterior of the closed end grommets and/or mechanical extensions that will irreversibly stretch, lengthen, and expose warning alerts in the event that excessive longitudinal force is applied.

Abstract: A medical device which is manually operable to draw a vacuum using a piston and cylinder combination may be used for creating a vacuum in the cup of a birth extraction device or to withdraw fluids from a body cavity or perform biopsies. The structure includes a closed loop at the remote end of the cylinder which allows the device to be manipulated by one hand and it may include check valves to prevent any fluid withdrawn from the body from being reinjected into the body cavity or vessel by location of check valves in a withdrawal duct and a drainage port. The same device may be used for injecting fluids into a body cavity and may include structure between the loop and cylinder to apply force to the piston to discharge fluids through a needle attached to the remote end of the cylinder.

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: The invention is directed to a hand-operated vacuum pump and more specifically, a hand-held and hand-operated vacuum pump for obstetrical use incorporating an improved vacuum regulation system. The hand-held and hand-operated vacuum pump comprises a cylinder, having a piston located therewithin. The piston is movable between extended and retracted positions by a hand-operated lever. There is a first passage extending into the cylinder from an external space to be evacuated. The space is defined by the scalp of a baby and a vacuum cranial bell fitted thereon. A second passage connects this intermediate chamber with the cylinder through a first valve, preferably a one-way valve located in the cylinder head. A third passage connects the intermediate chamber to a second valve which automatically controls the maximum vacuum in the external space. A fourth passage from the intermediate chamber is a vacuum adjustment valve.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a vacuum bell assembly for assisting an obstetrician in controlling and accurately attaching the cranial traction cup to a predetermined attachment point on the infant's head during childbirth. The handle is typically designed to offer a measure of flexibility when pulling traction is applied during use so that even if the obstetrician is not pulling exactly on a straight axis, the cup will not be disengaged from it's attachment to the fetal scalp thereby interrupting the delivery process. The vacuum bell assembly has a cranial extraction cup fabricated from a soft, readily expandable material. This reduces the chances of injury to the fetal scalp and to the tender tissue of the vaginal walls in the birth canal. The cranial traction cup defines an internal attachment chamber having an outer opening for attaching the cup to a portion of an infant's head located within the internal attachment chamber.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, in particular for endoscopic surgery, wherein the instrument comprises a tube provided at its proximal end with a flexible suction cup and at its distal end with a bulb such that the volume of the bulb is in communication with the suction cup via the tube in order to enable the suction cup to be applied against and to adhere to tissues or organs for displacment under the control of pressure and/or suction from the bulb.

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: 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.