title: An improved spiral electrode applicator system for fetal heart rate monitoring.
abstract: A new fetal scalp electrode applicator system uses a guide tube with increased curvature and a plunger mechanism to advance, rotate, and release the spiral electrode. Results of a preliminary survey among house staff who used the system in 51 patients indicated a favorable impression, with 96.1% of the applications rated as "much better," "better," or "same" as compared with the conventional system. The rate for a subset of 26 patients with limited cervical dilatation (1-3 cm) or high station of the presenting part (-1 to -3) was similarly good (92.3%). The characteristics found most favorable were the increased curvature for facilitating applications to high presenting parts, the plunger mechanism for applying the electrode, and better control of the guide tube.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy