A multi-lumen catheter for monitoring uterine contraction pressure having an elongated body configured and dimensioned for insertion into a bladder of a patient, the catheter having a first lumen, a second lumen, and a first balloon at a distal portion, the first lumen communicating with the first balloon. The second lumen communicates with the bladder to remove fluid from the bladder. The first balloon is filled with a gas to form along with the first lumen a gas filled chamber to monitor pressure within the bladder to thereby monitor uterine contraction pressure of the patient.

A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus is provided, which can include any number of features. The method can include the steps of inserting a uterine device into the uterus and performing a uterine integrity test to determine that the uterus is intact and not perforated. If it is determined that the uterus is not perforated, a patency test can be performed to determine that the uterine device is not clogged or embedded in tissue. If the uterus is intact and the device is not clogged or embedded in tissue, the uterus can be treated with the uterine device, e.g., uterine ablation. Systems for performing these methods are also disclosed.

An inflatable system for cervical dilation and labor induction includes a uterine balloon, for positioning at a proximal portion of the uterus, adjacent to the cervical internal os, the uterine balloon being shaped to maximize the pressure against the decidua and the internal cervical os and to minimize the pressure on the fetal head. The inflatable system may have a vaginal balloon, for positioning in the vagina, for applying pressure on the external cervical os. The inflatable system may measure the pressure changes inside the balloon. The inflatable system may have electrodes for measuring the electrical activity of the fetal heart, the maternal heart and the uterine pressure activity and or uterine contractility and or labor progress. The inflatable system may measure cervical dilation, fetal well-being, and the woman's conditions.

An intrauterine balloon apparatus to augment uterine birthing forces and assist fetal descent during parturition is provided. The body of the balloon apparatus begins packaged in a compressed state minimizing volume, enabling delivery through the birth canal. The apparatus is advanced to a proximal uterine location and deployed for operation by introducing a pressurized agent through its conduit, causing the body to expand and apply directional forces towards the infant and birth canal. The balloon body is shaped to apply pressures dispersed towards the infant and the bidirectional conduit enables fluid conduction as the infant descends. After the infant has successfully descended and been delivered through the birth canal, pressure within the balloon body is relieved through the conduit thereby collapsing the volume of the balloon body and enabling retraction through the birth canal.

A multi-lumen catheter for monitoring uterine contraction pressure having an elongated body configured and dimensioned for insertion into a bladder of a patient, the catheter having a first lumen, a second lumen, and a first balloon at a distal portion, the first lumen communicating with the first balloon. The second lumen communicates with the bladder to remove fluid from the bladder. The first balloon is filled with a gas to form along with the first lumen a gas filled chamber to monitor pressure within the bladder to thereby monitor uterine contraction pressure of the patient.

A monitoring system is described which comprises a sensor device for generating sensor data, the sensor device having a secondary coil, and a receiver device having a controller, and a primary coil for wirelessly communicating with the sensor device, the receiver device being operable to wirelessly charge the sensor device via inductive coupling between the primary and secondary coils. A quality factor of the primary coil is controllable, and the controller is operable to control the quality factor of the primary coil to be higher when the receiver device is wirelessly charging the sensor device than when the receiver device is receiving sensor data from the sensor device. As a result, the same coil can be used both for efficient power transfer (wireless charging) by using the coil in a (relatively) high quality factor mode, and for reliable data communications by using the coil in a (relatively) low quality factor mode.

A multi-lumen catheter for monitoring intrauterine pressure comprising an elongated body configured and dimensioned for insertion into a uterus of a patient, the catheter having a first lumen, a second lumen, and a first balloon at a distal portion. The first lumen communicates with the first balloon and the second lumen has an opening within the uterus for injection of x-ray dye or other fluid into the uterus for imaging the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes of a patient. The first balloon contains a gas to form along with the first lumen a chamber to monitor pressure within the uterus to thereby determine if excessive pressure is being applied to the fallopian tubes of the patient. A sensor is in communication with the first lumen to measure pressure about a circumferential area of the balloon to measure pressure in the uterus to provide readings of intrauterine pressure.

The invention is generally a system, apparatus, and method for monitoring and measuring a change in intrauterine pressure without rupturing the amniotic sac. A catheter is coupled to a pressure sensing module. The pressure sensing module is configured with a chamber that is in fluid communication with a balloon of the catheter. The chamber includes a pressure-sensing membrane coupled to sensing circuitry. The sensing circuitry is configured to detect a pressure applied to the pressure-sensing membrane and communicate the condition to a monitor of the system. Methods include inserting the catheter through the cervix so that the balloon may be inflated and situated in the lower segment of the uterus, resting against the amniotic sac. Because the balloon of the catheter is in fluid communication with the pressure-sensing membrane, pulsations of the amniotic sac will be sensed by the sensing circuitry of the pressure sensing module.

An intrauterine pressure-sensing catheter for detecting pressure changes within the uterus of a patient is disclosed having a tube with a primary lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongate tube. A monitor lumen is positioned within the elongate tube between the primary lumen and a wall of the elongate tube and extends from a proximal end of the elongate tube to a distal end of the elongate tube. A pressure-compliant balloon is disposed about an exterior of the elongate tube adjacent a distal end tip. A sleeve is slidably mounted on an exterior of the elongate tube and disposed over the pressure-compliant balloon during insertion of the pressure-sensing catheter within the patient. The distal end tip is configured to prevent movement of the sleeve over the tip and is further configured to provide a zone of protection for the pressure-compliant balloon.

A system for augmenting uterine forces includes a medical apparatus having a balloon body that transitions between a compacted state and an expanded state, a catheter that receives the medical apparatus and obtains electrical signals indicative of intrinsic uterine contractions, and a controller coupled to the catheter to receive the electrical signals, and to a source of an agent. The controller processes the electrical signals to detect an onset of an intrinsic uterine contraction, an increase in uterine contraction forces, or a decrease in uterine contraction forces. In response to a detection of an onset of an intrinsic uterine contraction or an increase in uterine contraction forces, the controller causes an agent to be delivered from the agent source to the balloon body to expand the balloon body. In response to a detection of a decrease in uterine contraction forces, the controller causes agent to discharge from the balloon body to collapse the balloon body.