JP2596510B2 - Labor progress monitor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the progress of delivery of a fetus in the process of giving birth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The delivery of a fetus may be performed by caesarean section or the like, but it is most preferable that both the mother and the fetus are healthy, and that normal delivery is possible under normal circumstances, if it is normal.

[0003] Generally, delivery starts at the end of 40 weeks of gestation (about 2 weeks).
80 days) is over and begins with labor. However, it takes about 12 to 15 hours for primiparous women and about 5 to 8 hours for multiparous women from the onset of labor to delivery. Moreover, these vary greatly among individuals and are not determined uniformly.

[0004] For this reason, repeated obstetric examinations by obstetricians are required. And childbirth occurs both day and night, and every time this pelvic examination is carried out, the labor of the maternity and the hands of the nurse are troubled,
Doctors are also forced to respond.

[0005]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] After the obstetric woman took care of labor and was taken by the nurse from the sickroom and went up to the delivery table,
Due to palpation by a doctor, the child may be returned to the hospital room again because the progress of delivery is not enough (the opening of the uterus is not yet enough). Such a thing is often repeated several times or more, and the physical burden on a woman is incalculable.

[0006] For this reason, repeated nurses and doctors are troubled, and it may be painful even for a maternity who has started labor. Since giving birth does not matter day or night, the struggle is hard. In addition, when the progress of labor is not sufficient, the use of a labor-promoting (enhancing) agent may have an adverse effect on the mother and the fetus, so it is very important to understand the progress of labor. Although confirmation by palpation by a doctor is essential, it is also important to reduce the effort of nurses and doctors. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for observing the progress of parturition without giving unnecessary burdens to both women and fetuses.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention uses the following means. A signal for detecting the magnetic force of the descent detecting body near the opening of the birth canal by inserting and attaching a descent detecting body composed of a soft material containing a magnetic force and having a structure that allows the passage of bodily fluids into the cervix of the vagina In the delivery progress monitoring device configured with the processing unit, when the descent detecting body and the magnetic detecting body are set, a signal in which the magnetic detecting body detects a magnetic force from the descent detecting body is set as an initial value in the signal processing unit, The movement distance is calculated from the change of the magnetic force thereafter, and the progress of the delivery is indicated by light, sound,
It is configured to provide information by characters or a combination thereof.

Further, the present invention provides a structure in which a soft substance containing a magnetic force is passed through and a bodily fluid is passed therethrough. A magnetic detector that detects the magnetic force of the descent detector and a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits a signal detected by the magnetic detector,
A radio receiver for receiving the radio signal, and a demodulation and signal processing of the radio signal to provide information on the progress of parturition from light, sound, text, or a combination thereof based on a change in magnetic force. Is what you do.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the following functions and effects are obtained. A descent detector with a constant magnetic force intensity,
Since the baby is delivered due to the drop of the fetus or fetal sac, it can be detected as a change in magnetic force by a magnetic detector including a magnetic sensor fixedly provided near the external genitalia, which is the opening of the birth canal.

Since the magnetic force penetrates through the body, the approach to the opening of the birth canal accompanying the delivery of the descent detecting body appears as an increase in the magnetic force. Since the magnetic force has the property of being inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two points, the magnetic force is a descending detector which has been given a constant magnetic force intensity in advance, and the distance is determined by the magnetic force intensity detected by the magnetic detector. It can be used to determine the descending status of the fetus, ie, the progress of labor.

The depth of the cervix of the uterus in the vagina and the variation in the position where the magnetic detector is fixedly attached may vary depending on the individual, and at the time of initial setting, the magnetic detector detects the magnetic force from the descending detector. Giving it to the processing unit, where the distance is set as an initial value, and the moving distance calculated from the change of the magnetic force thereafter is displayed, so that the status of the delivery can be judged by doctors, nurses, and other related persons. .

When parturition progresses and the fetus's head (buttock) reaches the pelvic wide part, it is necessary to move the descending detector to the parturition table in accordance with the instruction of the signal processing unit which has detected the position of the descent detector.
It is configured to generate an alarm by sound / character or a combination of these. This alarm is generated when the device according to the present invention is normal and changes in the progress of labor, but in addition to this, an alarm is also issued due to a malfunction of the device. Is preferable.

For example, the following problems may be caused by the problem on the device side. Power failure in the signal processing unit, or voltage drop in the power backup battery. Voltage drop in the battery inside the magnetic detector. When the distance between the descent detecting body and the magnetic detecting body is longer (larger) than the initially set value (initial value). That is, a case where the magnetic detector, which was initially fixed to the human body with an adhesive tape or the like, fell off the human body.

[0014] The alarms due to the inconveniences of these devices are distinguished by displaying the cause of the contents by displaying the light using an LED or the like or displaying the characters using a liquid crystal display or the like. It is possible to take necessary measures.

Since the descent detecting body is to be inserted into the vaginal vault, it must be a biocompatible soft body and clean. In addition, it is necessary to prepare several types of dimensions according to the human body shape, and to use one that fits so as not to be accidentally dropped or too large.

In addition, it is necessary to provide a means such as a bodily fluid transmission hole in the descent detecting body so as not to hinder the bodily fluid (amniotic fluid) from flowing out of the body due to rupture of the fetal tubule generated during the parturition. is there. Further, it is preferable that the shape of the descent detecting body has the following characteristics. Various types of descent detectors to be inserted into the vaginal vault were examined, but the vagina, which is the birth canal at the time of childbirth, has muscles and their surfaces that are stretchable and lubricious. Therefore, it is necessary to use an appropriate size and shape for fitting.

[0017] With the descent of the head, such as the cervix dilatation and fetal, so as not to worry about the falling detection body is residual entrainment into vaginal vault portion, the descent detect body shape cap shape, or it is necessary that the winding structure for preventing other shapes. This may be a film- like material having a hole, a cross-shaped structure, or an object having a lotus root- like hole as in this embodiment.

At the time of childbirth, it may happen that there is a sudden change in the state of the maternity and that it is necessary to take out the urgently inserted descent detection. So the descent
It is necessary to attaching a withdrawal string to the sensing element.

The magnetic detector comprises a sensor such as a Hall element or a magnetoresistive element and an amplifier for amplifying an electric signal detected by the sensor. It should be easy to install near the surface of the external genitalia, i.e. the outer genitalia, and should be of a size and shape that does not interfere with the fixed state.

The magnetic force intensity signal detected by the magnetic detector is used to calculate the distance to the magnetic detector by the following signal processing unit based on a constant magnetic force applied to the descending detector. This is stored at the time of initial setting, and a value at which the magnetic force is increased by pressing down detection due to fetal delivery is newly calculated and displayed, and the moving distance is displayed. The warning is issued when the value of the moving distance moves by a certain amount or more. Alternatively, since the distance to the magnetic detector is detected as it is, the above-mentioned alarm may be issued when the distance becomes a certain fixed value, for example, 4 cm or less.

These arithmetic functions, storage functions, display functions,
Those having an alarm function have a certain size, and the person who needs this information is not a maternity woman but a nurse and a doctor, so the necessary place is different from that of a hospital room. If this were to be placed in a nurse's office, the wires would have to be connected between them. That is, the magnetic sensing element fixedly attached to the mother and the signal processing section is connected by an electric wire.

In order to reduce unnecessary stress on the women,
By attaching a radio transmitter to the magnetic detector side, emitting the signal of the information by radio wave, attaching a receiver to the signal processing unit, receiving and demodulating, and performing the same signal processing as described above. It was found that since there is no need to connect electric wires, mental stress given to the painful mothers can be greatly reduced, and good results can be obtained. In addition, since it is necessary to monitor a plurality of women at the same time, it is preferable that the transmitter and the receiver can mutually select a plurality of channels (frequency).

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment is for explanation, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. FIG. 1 (A)
Is a perspective view showing the appearance of the descent detecting body, in which the descent detecting body 1 is to be inserted into the vaginal fornix and should be a mark when being pushed out with the descent due to the output of the fetus. Therefore, it is necessary not to be shifted or dropped by other factors.

For this reason, it is inconvenient that the descent detecting body does not flow out due to rupture of water or other body fluid flowing out of the uterus. For this purpose, it is necessary to prepare several types of dimensions so as to be suitable for variations due to individual differences.

As a magnetic force generating source of the descent detecting body, a magnet having a fixed magnetic force and having a soft structure, such as a rubber magnet, a plastic magnet, or a magnet (spring) is used. In this embodiment, a rubber magnet is used for the rim 4 in this embodiment.

This magnetic force is generated by a body having a low magnetic permeability.
It is inversely proportional to the square of the distance to the detection point. Therefore, as the descent detecting body 1 descends and approaches the magnetic detecting body 7 including the magnetic sensor 8, which is fixedly provided near the external genitalia, which is the opening of the birth canal, the strength of the magnetic force increases. An alarm is issued when the intensity change amount reaches a predetermined value.

At the time of childbirth, the state of the maternity suddenly changes, and it may occur that the urgently inserted descent detecting body 1 needs to be taken out. It is necessary to attach to the descending detecting body 1. In this embodiment, the descent detecting body 1 is a rubber balloon having a lotus root-shaped bodily fluid permeation hole. After inserting the descent detecting body into the vaginal cannula, the slender body is connected to the descent detecting body. A liquid (warm water approximately equal to body temperature) was injected from the tube to adjust its shape. Then, this tube also serves as the above-mentioned drawstring. Further, a gas such as air may be used instead of the liquid.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the magnetic detector 7. In this figure, including a small battery,
And the other electronic circuit blocks. The outer dimensions of the magnetic detector 7 are about 25 mm ×
Since it is about 30 mm x 7 mm and is directly fixed to the skin with an adhesive tape, it has a rounded structure. In the present embodiment, the electronic circuit including the magnetic sensor 8 is also accommodated in the magnetic detector 7 as described above. Here, the mutual positional relationship with respect to the descending detector 1 is restricted. Since only the magnetic sensor 8 is used, only this magnetic sensor portion may be separated and connected to the main body of the magnetic detecting body by a lead wire. In this case, handling requires some care. Only a very small magnetic sensor needs to be attached to a predetermined position on the skin.

The output signal of the magnetic sensor 8 by the Hall element is amplified by the amplifier 9, and the signal of the magnetic force is converted by the AD converter 6.
After converting the analog value into a digital signal, the radio signal is transmitted as a radio signal by the radio transmitter 10 and the antenna 11, and this is a signal shown in FIG. 2 (A) and FIG. After the signal is received by the receiving antenna 12 of the processing unit 20, amplified by the receiving amplifier 13, demodulated by the demodulator 14 to extract a signal, and then processed by the information processing unit 15.

Since the magnetic force of the descent detecting body 1 is known,
The distance between the descent detecting body 1 and the magnetic detecting body 7 (or the magnetic sensor 8) is calculated from the strength of the detected magnetic force. The value (initial value) immediately after setting is stored in the memory 16.
, And the difference from the current position is the moving distance of the descent detecting body. This is displayed on the display panel 17 as an image.
It was configured to display in the character.

When this value exceeds a certain value (not shown, but input by data input means such as a keyboard), the information processing unit 15 issues an instruction to issue an alarm, and the instruction is issued. Speaker 1 based on
9. The alarm lamp 18 is operated to generate an alarm. This alarm can be manually stopped by a nurse or the like after confirmation.

In this embodiment, a radio wave is used as a means for transmitting a signal from the magnetic detector 7 to the information processing unit 15, but if these are connected by an electric wire, both radio transmission and reception can be performed. The vessel and antennas can be omitted.

[0033]

By implementing the present invention, the following excellent effects can be expected. In a method of monitoring the progress of parturition of a fetus in the process of parturition at a maternity hospital, etc., a descent detecting body made of a soft material such as rubber containing a magnetic force is inserted into and attached to the vaginal vault to lower the fetus. With this, the descending detection body is pressed down and moves, so that the movement of the point where the magnetic force is generated is indirectly monitored from outside the body, so that the childbirth period can be reliably predicted and grasped even when the maternity is not in contact. As a result, doctors and nurses can be frequently diagnosed and repeated transfers to the delivery table can be prevented.
Relieves physical distress.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an appearance of a descent detecting body. FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the magnetic detector. FIG. 1C is an electronic circuit block diagram of the magnetic detector.

FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of a signal processing unit. FIG. 2B is an electronic circuit block diagram of the signal processing unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a state of mounting a lowering detector and a magnetic detector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Descent detecting body 3 Body fluid passage hole 4 Edge 6 A / D converter 7 Magnetic detecting body 8 Magnetic sensor 9 Amplifier 10 Radio transmitter 11 Antenna 12 Receiving antenna 13 Receiving amplifier 14 Demodulator 15 Information processing section 16 Memory 17 Display panel 18 Alarm Lamp 19 Speaker 20 Signal processing unit 22 Fetus 23 Battery 24 Battery storage unit 25 Tube

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A descent detecting body which is made of a soft material having a magnetic force and has a structure for allowing a body fluid to pass therethrough is inserted and provided in the cervix of the vagina. A birth progress monitoring device comprising a signal processing unit for detecting a force, wherein when the descent detecting body and the magnetic detecting body are set, the magnetic detecting body detects a magnetic force from the descent detecting body by a signal processing unit. Using the initial value, the distance of movement is calculated from the change in magnetic force thereafter, and the progress of labor is
A birth progress monitoring device characterized by providing information by sound, characters, or a combination thereof. 2. An O-ring made of a soft material containing a magnetic force and having an outer periphery, and a soft material and a drip-in prevention film having a bodily fluid passage hole formed in a dish-like shape. 2. The descent detector according to 1. 3. The descent detecting body according to claim 1, wherein a string that allows the descent detecting body to be easily pulled out of the body is connected to the descent detecting body. 4. A descent detecting body which is made of a soft material containing a magnetic force and allows a bodily fluid to pass therethrough, and which is inserted and attached to the cervix of the vagina and which is attached near the opening of the birth canal, , A wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a signal detected by the magnetic detector, a wireless receiver for receiving the wireless signal, and demodulating and processing the wireless signal to obtain a magnetic force. Light, sound, letters,
Alternatively, a delivery progress monitoring device configured to provide information based on a combination thereof.