A system that prepares a woman's birth canal before childbirth

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for preparing a woman's birth canal before childbirth, the system (1) comprising an inflatable body (2) intended to be placed in the birth canal of the woman, the inflatable body (2) having a wall (20) including a first open end (22) intended to allow air to enter or exit the inflatable body and a second closed end (24) located opposite the first open end (22), an inflation device (4) for said inflatable body (2) serving to inflate the inflatable body (2) and fluidly connected to the first open end (22) of the inflatable body (2) by a conduit (12), a measuring device (6) configured to measure dimensions of the inflatable body, and a control device (8) configured to collect dimensional measurement data of the measuring device (6).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system intended to prepare the birth canal of a woman before birth. In particular, the invention relates to a connection system comprising an inflatable body intended to be placed in the birth canal of a woman with the purpose of softening the birth canal, and a measuring device configured to measure the dimensions of the inflatable body, the measurement data of the dimensions of the inflatable body being collected in real time to enable the woman to follow the progress of her birth. [Background technology]

[0002] During natural childbirth, a woman's birth canal (including the vagina, pelvic floor and perineum) is subjected to stretching that can cause unwanted injury.

[0003] In certain cases, an episiotomy is performed to facilitate the passage of the newborn.

[0004] This surgical procedure can have serious consequences for the woman, such as more or less severe physical pain and mental suffering, and can require some period of treatment.

[0005] To overcome these shortcomings, there are birth preparation exercises that allow the preparation of the birth canal for the passage of the newborn at birth.

[0006] There are various types of systems that allow these exercises to be performed. For example, a system known as Epi-no® is known, which comprises an inflatable body intended to be placed in the birth canal of the user and configured to be manually inflated by an inflation ball connected to the inflatable body through a conduit. During operation, the user inflates the inflatable body using the inflation ball. This inflatable body exerts a force on the muscles of the user's birth canal, making it possible to gradually soften the latter. The expansion of this inflatable body can be gradually increased during a preparation period.

[0007] A drawback of this system is that it is not possible to reliably quantify the expansion of the inflatable body and therefore it is not possible to accurately track the progress of softening of the birth canal.

[0008] Another drawback of this system is that it does not allow the user to obtain information about the progress of the birth preparation in a real-time and easy manner. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] This disclosure aims to overcome all or some of the above-mentioned shortcomings.

[0010] This explanation concerns a system for preparing a woman's birth canal before childbirth. This system is 1. An inflatable body intended to be placed within a female's birth canal, comprising: The inflatable body comprises a wall including a first open end intended to allow air to enter or exit the inflatable body, and a second closed end opposite the first open end. an inflatable body; a device for inflating the expandable body, the device being fluidly connected to the first open end of the expandable body by a conduit; a measuring device configured to measure a dimension of the expandable body; and a controller configured to collect measurement data of the dimensions of the measurement device.

[0011] The system according to the invention makes it possible to prepare the muscles, skin and mucous membranes for birth in a way that avoids damage and its consequences.

[0012] The system according to the present description makes it possible to prepare a woman's birth canal to facilitate childbirth.

[0013] Additionally, the present invention allows the user to monitor preparation progress in real time, allowing for better adjustment of the female perineum.

[0014] According to one aspect, the wall of the expandable body has a tubular section of constant or variable cross-section.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the control device is configured to transmit, in particular through a wireless communication link, dimensional measurement data of the measuring device to an interface device configured to receive and display the dimensional measurement data of the measuring device.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the interface device comprises a computer application executed on the mobile communication terminal. The system may comprise the interface device. Alternatively, the interface device may consist of an application or a third party device configured to process the dimensional measurement data of the measurement device.

[0017] The invention makes it possible to provide a system whereby the dimensions of the inflatable body are known in real time and communicated to the user, for example via an object with a screen (phone, tablet, computer, etc.).

[0018] An advantage of the present invention is that usage data of the expandable body can be read and transcribed in real time in order to guide the user towards proper use of the device and thus improve the user's progress.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the measuring device is configured to measure a dimension of the expandable body that corresponds to a cross-section of the expandable body.

[0020] By transverse section is meant a cross-section of the expandable body taken in a plane transverse to the direction of insertion of the expandable body into the birth canal.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the expandable body has a substantially circular cross-section when the body is inflated, hi this embodiment, the system is configured to determine the diameter of said cross-section of the expandable body.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the measuring device is integrated into the expandable body and comprises at least one distance sensor, in this embodiment the expandable body comprises a central support member extending into the expandable body and a distance sensor arranged on the central support member of the expandable body, the measuring device being configured to measure the distance between the central support member and a point located on the inner surface of the wall of the expandable body.

[0023] According to one feature, the central support member is a semi-rigid rod and said at least one distance sensor is arranged at a free end of said semi-rigid rod.

[0024] According to one feature, the at least one distance sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a laser sensor.

[0025] According to one feature, the at least one distance sensor is an imaging device and the expandable body comprises at least one pattern or rib arranged on an inner surface of a wall of the expandable body.

[0026] For example, the photographing device is a camera or a digital camera.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the system comprises a first part intended to be placed in the birth canal and a second part intended to remain outside the birth canal, the first part comprising an inflatable body, the second part comprising an inflation device, a control device and a measurement device, the measurement device comprising at least one pressure sensor and at least one computer configured to calculate the amount of air entering and / or exiting the inflatable body.

[0028] According to one feature, the device includes at least one temperature sensor.

[0029] The measuring device is thus configured to determine the dimensions of the inflatable body as a function of pressure values, temperature values ​​and the amount of air in the inflatable body. It is noted that the measuring device may comprise for this purpose a processing unit which may be separate or which may be assigned to the control device and / or to the measuring device.

[0030] According to one feature, the computer is configured to use the information transmitted by the motor to calculate the amount of air entering the inflatable body.

[0031] According to one feature, the computer is configured to use information transmitted by the solenoid valve to calculate the amount of air to be expelled from the inflatable body.

[0032] According to one feature, the second end of the expandable body includes a protrusion.

[0033] According to one feature, the system comprises a gripping means intended to enable positioning of the inflatable body within the birth canal of the woman, the gripping means being a semi-rigid grip.

[0034] According to one feature, the semi-rigid grip is telescoping.

[0035] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following non-limiting description and the attached drawings which show, in a schematic way, some embodiments of the system according to the invention, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system for preparing for childbirth according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the expandable body of the priming system of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 shows a system including a measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a modified example of the measurement device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a system including a measurement device according to a second embodiment of the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an inflatable body of a modified system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an inflatable body of a modified system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an expandable body of a modified system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an expandable body of a modified system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an expandable body of a modified system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an expandable body of a modified system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an expandable body of a modified system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] For simplicity, identical elements are identified by the same reference numbers in all drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 1 for preparing a woman for childbirth according to the present disclosure.

[0039] The system 1 comprises an inflatable body 2 intended to be placed in the female birth canal, an inflation device 4 intended to inflate the inflatable body, a measuring device 6 configured to measure dimensions of the inflatable body, and a control device 8 configured to collect dimensional measurement data from the measuring device 6.

[0040] The inflatable body 2 is configured to apply force to the muscles of the female birth canal when the body is inflated, for example with a gas such as air, with the aim of softening the birth canal.

[0041] The expandable body 2 is made of a material that is compatible with the human body, for example the expandable body 2 may be made of latex or silicone.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the inflatable body 2 comprises a wall 20 including a first open end 22 intended to allow air to enter or exit the inflatable body, and a second closed end 24 located opposite the first end 22.

[0043] According to a first embodiment, the wall of the inflatable body has portions of constant cross section or portions of variable cross section.

[0044] For example, the wall of the expandable body may have a tubular portion of constant cross-section or a tubular portion of variable cross-section.

[0045] Examples of wall shapes are shown in Figures 6-12, which show longitudinal cross-sectional views of expandable bodies according to some embodiments.

[0046] In the example shown, the second end 24 may include a protrusion 25. This protrusion 25 allows a lubricating element to be attached to the expandable body to allow for easier insertion of the expandable body into the birth canal of the user.

[0047] The expandable body 2 may comprise a central support member 200 extending into the expandable body 2. For example, the central support member 200 is a semi-rigid rod that allows to facilitate the insertion of the expandable body 2 into the birth canal of the woman. This semi-rigid rod has a first free end 202 extending in a central section of the expandable body 2 and a second end 204 connected to the open end 22 of the expandable body 2. For example, the semi-rigid rod is fixed to a collar forming a grip 10. The expandable body 2 is fixed to this grip 10. This grip 10 also allows to guide the insertion of the expandable body 2 into the birth canal.

[0048] When the body is inflated, it has a substantially circular cross-section "T", as shown in FIGS.

[0049] By section "T" is represented the section of the inflatable body considered transverse to the insertion direction "d" of the inflatable body in the birth canal. In this configuration, the inflatable body also makes it possible to simulate the passage of the newborn's head.

[0050] The expandable body has a predetermined thickness such that the expandable body does not collapse even if the user applies force to the expandable body, thus allowing the user to exercise these muscles by applying pressure to the expandable body, for example during exercise.

[0051] The expandable body 2 is inflated by an inflation device 4 that is fluidly connected to an open end 204 of the expandable body 2 by a conduit 12, such as a flexible pipe.

[0052] According to a first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the inflation device 4 comprises a manual inflation ball 4'. In this embodiment, the manual ball may comprise a valve (not shown) allowing the inflatable body 2 to be deflated slightly or completely.

[0053] According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 3-5, the expansion device 4 is an electrically powered device and comprises a motor 4''.

[0054] This motor acts like an air pump.

[0055] For example, this motor is a solenoid electric motor including an adapter intended to admit air from the atmosphere through an opening provided for this purpose.

[0056] In this second embodiment, the system comprises a solenoid valve 14 making it possible to partially or completely deflate the inflatable body 2. The motor 4'' and the solenoid valve 14 are connected to a control device via conductors 36, 37.

[0057] The measuring device 6 is configured to measure a dimension of the expandable body during expansion of the body. In particular, the measuring device is configured to measure a dimension of the body that corresponds to the cross section "T" of the expandable body 2.

[0058] Furthermore, the measuring device 6 enables the system 1 to be configured to determine a diameter “D” of the circular cross section of the expandable body as a function of the measurements taken by the measuring device 6 .

[0059] Furthermore, the dimensional measurement data of the measuring device 6 is collected by the control device 8 .

[0060] The control device 8 comprises, for example, a microcontroller. The system comprises a battery (not shown) intended to power the microcontroller.

[0061] The control device 8 is configured to transfer, in particular by a wireless communication link, the dimensional measurement data from the measuring device to an interface device (not shown) configured to receive and display the dimensional measurement data from the measuring device.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the interface device comprises a computer application executing on a mobile communications terminal.

[0063] The system may include an interface device.

[0064] Alternatively, the interface device may consist of an application or a third party device configured to process the dimensional measurement data of the measurement device.

[0065] The system allows information to be displayed to the user in real time and also allows for comparison of that information to commonly observed measurements.

[0066] To provide more relevant information, the system is configured to allow the user to input information about her pregnancy status (weeks amenorrhea, age, weight, height, shoe size) If the user integrates this data into the system, the system then compares the measurements collected in real time with commonly observed measurements for people of the same age, size, and stage of their pregnancy.

[0067] According to a first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the measuring device 6 is integrated into the expandable body 2 .

[0068] In this embodiment, the measuring device comprises at least one distance sensor 6'.

[0069] In the example shown, the sensor is located in the central support member 200 of the expandable body 2 .

[0070] For example, when the central support member 200 is a semi-rigid rod, the distance sensor 6' is located at the free end 202 of the rod of the expandable body.

[0071] The measuring device 6 is configured to measure the distance between the central support member 200 and a point "P" located on the inner surface of the wall 20 of the inflatable body.

[0072] Furthermore, this distance corresponds to the radius of the expandable body.

[0073] For example, the distance sensor 6' is an infrared sensor.

[0074] The infrared sensor includes a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter configured to emit infrared light toward a wall of the inflatable body that is reflected by the inflatable body, and the receiver configured to measure the amount of energy reflected by the inflatable body.

[0075] According to another example, this distance sensor 6' is an ultrasonic sensor.

[0076] The ultrasonic sensor comprises a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter configured to emit an ultrasonic signal toward a wall of the inflatable body that is reflected by the inflatable body, and the receiver configured to calculate the elapsed time between emission of the ultrasonic signal and receipt of the ultrasonic signal to estimate the distance.

[0077] According to yet another example, the distance sensor 6' is a laser sensor, which is a "time of flight" sensor comprising a transmitter and a receiver.

[0078] The transmitter is configured to emit laser radiation towards a wall of the inflatable body that is reflected by the inflatable body, and the receiver is configured to calculate the elapsed time between emitting the laser radiation and receiving the laser radiation to estimate the distance.

[0079] In this example, the measurement device may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) intended to provide illumination inside the inflatable body.

[0080] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the at least one distance sensor is a camera, i.e. a photographic device such as a digital camera 6'', and the inflatable body 2 comprises at least one pattern (not shown) or rib 18 arranged on the inner surface of the wall of the inflatable body.

[0081] For example, the pattern may be a specific random or predetermined color or texture.

[0082] The pattern and ribs are intended to allow the imaging device to detect distortion of the inflatable body.

[0083] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the expandable body 2 comprises a number of ribs 18 arranged on the inner surface of the wall of the expandable body 2 .

[0084] This imaging device makes it possible to know in real time the condition of the inner surface of the wall of the inflatable body. By comparing the image taken at time T1 with the first image taken at time T0, it makes it possible to estimate, by means of image analysis, the increase in the dimensions of the inflatable body. For example, the measuring device 6 may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED) intended to provide illumination inside the inflatable body.

[0085] In each of the above examples, the distance sensor is connected by a conductor 32 to the control device microcontroller 8 .

[0086] In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this conductor passes through the handle 10.

[0087] The distance sensor makes it possible to calculate the radius of the inflatable body.

[0088] The diameter is estimated from the calculated radius.

[0089] It should be noted that the measuring device may be equipped for this purpose with a processing unit which may be separate or which may be assigned to the control device.

[0090] According to a second embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the measuring device 6 is arranged outside the inflatable body.

[0091] In this embodiment, the inflatable body inflation device 4 must include a motor 4 ″ and a solenoid valve 14 .

[0092] In this embodiment, the system comprises a first part intended to be placed in the birth canal and a second part intended to remain outside the birth canal. The first part comprises an inflatable body 2 and the second part comprises an inflation device 4, a control device 8 and a measurement device 6.

[0093] In this embodiment, the measurement device 6 comprises at least one pressure sensor 34 connected to the conduits 12 of the system and at least one computer 40 configured to calculate the amount of air entering and / or exiting the inflatable body. This pressure sensor 34 is connected to the conduits 12 of the system 1.

[0094] For example, the computer 40 is configured to use the information transmitted by the motor 4'' to calculate the amount of air to enter the inflatable body.

[0095] For example, the computer 40 is configured to use information transmitted by the solenoid valve 14 to calculate the amount of air to be expelled from the inflatable body.

[0096] The motor 4'', the solenoid valve 14 and the pressure sensor 34 are connected to the controller by conductors 35, 36, 37. The computer 40 is connected to the controller 8, but the controller may also comprise the computer 40, for example.

[0097] The measurement device may include a temperature sensor (not shown), which is connected to the conduit 12 of the system 1 .

[0098] The measuring device 6 is configured to determine pressure values, temperature values ​​and dimensions of the inflatable body related to the amount of air in the inflatable body.

[0099] It should be noted that the measuring device may be equipped for this purpose with a processing unit which may be separate or which may be assigned to the control device.

[0100] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the inflatable body are determined based on the ideal gas equation and the relationship PV=nRT, P corresponds to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 34; T corresponds to the temperature determined by a temperature sensor (in this case at least one temperature sensor (not shown) included in the measuring device) or by an estimate of the ambient temperature, R is 8.314 Jmol -1 K -1 corresponds to the universal gas constant, which is equal to n corresponds to the amount of air entering or leaving the inflatable body, calculated by the computer and determined via information transmitted by the motor (the flow rate as a function of the time elapsed since the start of the motor and the pressure makes it possible to know the amount of air blown into the balloon) and / or via information transmitted by the solenoid valve (the opening time and pressure of the solenoid valve make it possible to know the amount of air leaving the balloon and are subtracted from the amount of air blown by the motor).

[0101] These parameters make it possible to estimate the volume of air present in the inflatable body, from which the diameter of the inflatable body can be deduced either by knowing its shape or experimentally by a series of tests making it possible to know its behavior.

[0102] In all the embodiments described so far, the system may comprise a gripping means 40 (FIG. 1) intended to allow optimization of the positioning of the expandable body in the female birth canal and of the removal of the expandable body, for example a semi-rigid grip.

[0103] According to one example, the semi-rigid grip is telescopic. For example, the handle may have a maximum length of 40 cm in the deployed position.

[0104] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the examples described above, and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, different features, forms, modifications and embodiments of the invention can be associated with one another in various combinations, insofar as they are not mutually incompatible and exclusive.

Claims

1. A system (1) for preparing a woman's birth canal before childbirth, comprising: The system (1) comprises: an inflatable body (2) intended to be placed in the birth canal of the woman, The inflatable body (2) comprises a wall (20) including a first open end (22) intended to allow air to enter or exit the inflatable body, and a second closed end (24) located opposite the first open end (22). An inflatable body (2), an inflation device (4) for the inflatable body (2) fluidly connected to the first open end (22) of the inflatable body (2) by a conduit (12); a measuring device (6) configured to measure the dimensions of the expandable body; and a control device (8) configured to collect measurement data of the dimensions of the measuring device (6). System (1).

2. the control device (8) is configured to transmit dimensional measurement data from the measuring device (6) by a wireless communication link to an interface device configured to receive and display the dimensional measurement data of the measuring device; A system (1) according to claim 1.

3. the measuring device (6) is configured to measure a dimension of the expandable body (2) corresponding to a cross-section of the expandable body (2); A system (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The inflatable body (2) has a circular cross section when the inflatable body is inflated, The system (1) is configured to determine the cross-sectional diameter of the expandable body. A system (1) according to claim 3.

5. said measuring device (6) being integrated in said expandable body and comprising at least one distance sensor (6', 6''); the inflatable body (2) comprises a central support member (200) extending into the inflatable body (2) and the at least one distance sensor (6', 6'') disposed on the central support member of the inflatable body (2); the measuring device (6) is configured to measure the distance between the central support member (200) and a point located on the inner surface of the wall (20) of the expandable body (2); A system (1) according to claim 1.

6. the central support member (200) is a semi-rigid rod and the at least one distance sensor (6', 6'') is arranged at a free end (202) of the semi-rigid rod; A system (1) according to claim 5.

7. said at least one distance sensor (6', 6'') being a sensor selected from the group consisting of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and a laser sensor; A system (1) according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the at least one distance sensor is an imaging device (6''); the inflatable body (2) comprises at least one pattern or rib arranged on the inner surface of the wall of the inflatable body (2); A system (1) according to claim 5 or 6.

9. The system (1) comprises a first part intended to be placed inside the birth canal and a second part intended to remain outside the birth canal, The first part comprises the inflatable body (2), the second part comprises the expansion device (4), the control device (8) and the measurement device (6); said measuring device (6) comprising at least one pressure sensor (34) and at least one computer (40) configured to calculate the amount of air entering and / or exiting said inflatable body; A system (1) according to claim 1.

10. said computer (40) being configured to use the information transmitted by the motor (4'') to calculate the amount of air to enter said inflatable body; A system (1) according to claim 9.

11. The computer (40) is configured to use information transmitted by the solenoid valve (12) to calculate the amount of air to be evacuated from the inflatable body. A system (1) according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The second closed end (24) of the expandable body is provided with a protrusion (25). A system (1) according to claim 1.

13. said system (1) comprising gripping means (40) intended to enable positioning of said inflatable body in the birth canal of said woman, The gripping means is a semi-rigid grip. A system (1) according to claim 1.

14. The semi-rigid grip (40) is telescopic. A system (1) according to claim 13.

Images