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Tocodynamometry - Contraction Sensing
Several Ventrex employees are expert in pressure sensing. We employed our physiologic pressure sensing knowledge in the development of the first reliable disposable/semi-reusable tocodynamometer. Prior to the introduction of our FeatherLite Toco, only expensive bulky reusable toco’s were available to hospitals.
Background:
Current reusable toco’s have a number of drawbacks. They are relatively expensive at approximately $600 each. They are heavy and bulky and tend to migrate on the patient requiring frequent repositioning. They can become misplaced when a patient is moved from one room to another. They are occasional thrown out with the linen. Due to their cost, few spares are kept in the hospital and a spare is almost never available in each labor room or with each fetal monitor. The belts used to hold the tocos in place are costly when purchased from the manufacturer ($5-8) and become contaminated during use. After- market belts are much less expensive when purchased in high volume ($1.20). The toco’s should be cleaned between uses. If the product has not been properly disinfected following use on a patient with a contagious disease (e.g. chicken pox) cross contamination may result.
Today’s toco’s are generally considered by patients to be uncomfortable. Their bulk and weight combined with the large and highly tensioned belt can become more than an annoyance during a long labor.
Current toco’s have the advantage of a relatively low cost per use dependent on many factors. We estimate the true cost per use to be between $3.50 and $5.00. This takes into account the initial purchase price, the number of uses before repair, the repair costs, the life expectancy following repair. Replacement of the belts on some frequency is also factored in. If the nurse’s time involved in cleaning is included, the cost per use would increase another $0.75 to $1.00.
The FeatherLite Toco may be viewed as a single use or limited reuse toco. The FDA has approved it in both manners. If the FeatherLite is used 3 to 4 times it is as cost effective as current toco’s. If used 5 times or more, it becomes a cost savings. The FeatherLite requires the use of an adaptor plug to adapt its’ phone jack type plug to the monitor. The adaptors are about 2" long and include a tether to keep them from disappearing from the monitor. We believe the adaptors should last for at least 400 uses given a reasonable degree of care.
Key Points:
1. The product when used as a disposable is very convenient.
2. The hospital can have spares at each monitor.
3. If one is inadvertently thrown out, the loss is insignificant.
4. If a patient with a contagious disease is monitored, the product can be disposed of.
5. The product does not migrate as much as standard tocos.
6. It is at least as sensitive as current tocos. In clinical trials it sensed the same number of contractions as a standard toco despite being at least 4" away from the preferred site.
7. It is more comfortable to the patient. Due to design of the rectangular back plate which facilitates leveraging the sensing nipple, the belt does not need to be very tight.
Frequently Asked Questions -
a) We have a mix of monitors. Will it work with them? Yes, the FeatherLite will work with any monitor. A reusable adaptor, specific to the brand of monitor allows the universal FeatherLite to interface.
b) The back plate is stiff. Does it need to be so stiff? Compared to standard tocos, the back plate is quite flexible. Standard tocos don’t flex at all. The back plate is specifically designed to lever the sensor so that minimal belt tension is required. This spring like action helps keep it in place during patient movement, coughing, etc.
d) How do you clean it? Lightly wipe it down with your standard cleaning solutions. Take care not to knock the sensing nipple off.
e) Is the belt long enough? It is 48" long and will stretch to 10 feet. Standard toco belts are between 43" and 48".
f) Is the product latex free? Yes. Many standard toco belts use latex for the elastic. Ours incorporates polyurethane (spandex) elastic.
g) We use button hole belts (or we use velcro belts). Will it work with these? Yes, it will work with either type. The button hole belt attaches to the posts on both sides of the FeatherLite. The velcro belts go through the two slots just like a standard toco.
h) Can these be used underwater? The current version cannot be. An underwater version will be available in the future. |
