Open AccessApplication of Fiberoptics to the Clinical Measurement of Intra‐Uterine Pressure in Labor
Author(s) -
Svenningsen Leif,
Jensen øystein
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348609158385
Subject(s) - medicine , transducer , hydrostatic pressure , catheter , pressure sensor , hydrostatic equilibrium , acoustics , biomedical engineering , surgery , mechanics , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
In the present report we describe a new technique for monitoring intra‐uterine pressures during labor. the method utilizes a fiberoptic pressure transducer which is both accurate and stable. the pressure sensor is located at the catheter tip thus eliminating hydrostatic errors during monitoring. At body temperature the catheter is soft and flexible and represents no harm to the fetus. the membrane is housed in a metal dome with large lateral apertures. This arrangement greatly reduces the possibility of blockage. A comparison was made between recordings from the fiberoptic pressure transducer and those from a fluid‐filled catheter implanted simultaneously in non‐selected subjects during labor. Close agreement was obtained in the majority of cases. Large discrepancies between the two techniques were assumed to reflect the fact that the precise measuring point is not identical in each system. to date, recordings have been made in 52 parturients with no problems with insertion of the device and without any indication of equipment malfunction.