Obstetrical Forceps With Passive Rotation and Sensor Feedback

Abstract

An improved tool for operative vaginal delivery can reduce maternal and fetal trauma during the delivery and recovery processes. When a delivery cannot be completed naturally due to maternal exhaustion or fetal distress, physicians must perform an operative vaginal delivery (OVD), with forceps or a vacuum, or a Cesarean section (C-section). Although C-sections are more prevalent in the United States than OVDs, they require longer maternal hospital stays and recovery time and increase risk of maternal infection and fetal breathing problems. In 2015, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology pushed to increase the number of OVDs to limit C-section associated delivery risks. However, the current tools for OVD either have steep learning curves, are unable to be used for all fetal head presentations, or have associated maternal and fetal risks. There is a need for an easy to use, safe, and reliable tool for operative vaginal delivery. Topics: Feedback, Rotation, Sensors, Vacuum, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Risk