DE202004014220U1 - Labor stimulation device for use during childbirth has electrodes that are positioned in the uterus and on the abdomen or in the mouth in order that stimulation pulses can be applied by a control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for stimulating the labor activity of a mother during childbirth comprises an impulse generator (1) with uni or bipolar electrodes (4) that are controlled by a control unit to generate stimulating electrical impulses at controlled intervals. One electrode pole is placed on the uterus wall and one on the mother's abdomen. Alternately one electrode can be placed in the mother's mouth.

Description

One Caesarean section means for the expectant mother is a significantly higher risk than a childbirth in the normal way. Such an operation should therefore, whenever possible and justifiable, be avoided. A significant proportion of these operative childbirth is caused by a premature rupture of membranes, Amniotic infection syndrome and primary and secondary labor weakness caused. In this situation, stimulation by drugs, oxytocin or prostaglandins. This is not always successful and sometimes difficult to control.

In the DE 37 19 350 A1 an ergonomically designed Gebärstuhl is proposed with special physiotherapeutic devices which are conducive to an accelerated opening of the soft birth canal to allow faster passage of the child's head and beyond to influence the contractions in a regulative sense, so toning or sedating as required to influence, for the purpose of partial or total savings of labor and painkillers.

This birthing stool has a substantially horizontal seat with a recess in the front central area and a tilt-adjustable backrest, wherein vibrationally arranged on the seat plate and / or on the backrest or sound wave generator whose radiated sound waves a Frequency which is in the range of the audible spectrum and whose amplitude is low, are present.

The Sound waves or vibrations which are transmitted by means of the vibration or sound wave generator in the abdomen region of the woman giving birth should be in the soft birth canal, an intense relaxation the muscle and connective tissue fibers, thus causing an accelerated opening.

adversely in this solution is that at best the birth is relieved. A controlling function can not be realized in this way.

task The invention is the method of pharmacological treatment to be replaced or at least supplemented and as portable as possible Device to create uterine stimulation to the birth too control and in critical cases at all to carry out first.

Is solved This object with the features of claim 1, advantageous embodiments Subject of the dependent claims.

The Invention uses the knowledge that muscle and therefore The uterus can be electrically excited (electrostimulation). This takes place by means of suitable brief electric surges, which have a unipolar or bipolar electrode delivered to the uterus.

The Intervals of stimulation of the uterus should be about two minutes but are ultimately variably controllable. This corresponds to the normal labor activity.

Around the right amount of stimulation to find, is started with small pulse strengths and then the pulse strength increased. at 1.5 volts usually shows a sufficient response.

The Poles of the electrodes lie on the uterine wall or a pole abuts the uterine wall during the second pole is connected to the abdomen of the mother.

at In a third variant, the poles are applied to the cervix. The latter variant has the advantage that the introduction under view he follows.

at the other variants is an ultrasonographic positional control to be considered appropriate. To are the poles or the used hose for inserting the Electrodes with a surface which produces a good ultrasonographic response. The can by roughened plastic surfaces, incorporated metal threads, etc. respectively. The electrodes are inserted in a tube located and attached. Then the ultrasonographic examination and after its successful Completion, the hose is removed. As electrodes are preferred Used screwing.

Farther can not be ruled out, that the electrode is at the beginning or during the birth of the child and therefore there are muscle contractions of the child can. This puts, except in the stimulation of the child's heart, no danger. Correcting the electrodes can be remedied here. On the other hand, it is better to do it anyway in the birth monitoring Cardiac Wortography (CTG), to control electrical excitation to use.

There The child's heart has an absolute refractory period in that period that is not excitable, triggering the uterus is a trigger provided by the CTG, just in the refractory period of the child's heart. Thus, an influence on the child's heart rate is excluded.

The basic structure of the device for stimulating the labor activity is shown in FIG. shown.

The figure shows that the pulse generator 1 together with its control unit 2 as well as the trigger 3 in a housing 7 are arranged. The power supply is via a power connection 9 and / or by means of a battery. Show 8th serve among other things the representation of the impulses in size and temporal consequence.

The input for heartache (CTG) 6 is done by means of the trigger 3 used to perform the uterine stimulation in the refractory period of the child's heart. This is done via the electrode 4 when inserting in a medium hard plastic tube 5 is stored.

In a different version can also the heart-worthlessness (CTG) 6 in the case 7 be integrated.

Of course it is also possible, the individual components without housing 7 to use.

The Integration in a housing but offers the big one Advantage of transportability to each place of use, both within one Clinic as well as home births.

Of course it is also possible, in the interests of maintaining a high degree of mobility before birth, cardiac acronym (CTG) 6 wirelessly with the trigger 3 to couple (by radio).

With The electrical uterine stimulation is thus a valuable tool to lower the maternal mortality given.

The Method is very well controllable and in the consequences very well calculable. It can help to significantly reduce the frequency of caesarean sections.

1

pulse generator

2

control unit

3

trigger

4

electrode

5

plastic tube

6

Heart labor case (CTG)

7

casing

8th

display

9

power connection

Claims (9)

Apparatus for stimulating labor during delivery with a pulse generator ( 1 ) with uni- or bipolar electrodes ( 4 ), which is controlled by a control unit ( 2 ) is controlled to deliver pulses, the poles of the electrodes ( 4 ) are arranged on the uterine wall or a pole on the uterine wall and a pole with the abdomen of the mother is connectable or the poles of the electrode ( 4 ) are applied to the cervix. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the pulse delivery at intervals of 1.5 - 2.5 minutes, preferably Works 2 minutes and is controllable. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pulse output of the pulse generator ( 1 ) with a heart condition ( 6 ), such that the stimulation of the uterus by means of a trigger ( 3 ) experiences triggering in the refractory period of the infantile heart. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that preferably screw electrodes ( 4 ) are used. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the surface of the electrodes ( 4 ) on the uterine wall and / or the plastic tube ( 5 ) are ultrasonographically detectable, so that a position control is made possible. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electrodes ( 4 ) in a medium-hard plastic tube ( 5 ) are arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pulse generator ( 1 ) and the control unit ( 2 ) with connections ( 9 ) for the power supply, as well as the trigger ( 3 ) including display device ( 8th ) in a separate transportable housing ( 7 ) via an input from the cardiac acronym (CTG) ( 6 ) and an output via the electrodes ( 4 ). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the cardiac writings (CTG) (CTG) 6 ) in the housing ( 7 ) is integrated. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the transmission of the signals of the cardiac aural sprain (CTG) (CTG) 6 ) wirelessly to the trigger ( 3 ) he follows.