US 11,903,614 B2
Foot operated traction device and method of using same for mechanical cervical ripening
Diane Croteau, Gatineau (CA)
Assigned to VALDI MEDICAL INC., Gatineau (CA)
Appl. No. 17/250,274
Filed by VALDI MEDICAL INC., Gatineau (CA)
PCT Filed Jun. 28, 2019, PCT No. PCT/CA2019/050905
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 23, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/006627, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 9, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 1811085 (GB), filed on Jul. 5, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0259740 A1, Aug. 26, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/42 (2006.01); A61M 29/02 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/42 (2013.01) [A61M 29/02 (2013.01); A61B 2017/4225 (2013.01); A61M 2205/586 (2013.01); A61M 2210/1433 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for selectively self-inducing the dilatation of a pregnant woman's cervix via her foot (510), comprising the steps of:
inserting an inflatable balloon (508) of a balloon catheter (500) above the cervix, said balloon catheter (500) connected to an elongate stirrup (102, 202, 302) at a stirrup proximal end (104, 204, 304);
inflating said inflatable balloon (508) with a fluid;
removably engaging a stirrup distal end (106) of said elongate stirrup (102, 202, 302) to a foot forward end portion (512) of the foot (510) of the pregnant woman; and
performing a movement of the foot (510) to apply a traction force on said inflated inflatable balloon (508), said traction force applying a dilatative pressure against the cervix.