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. 2020 Jun;70(3):208-213.
doi: 10.1007/s13224-020-01313-9. Epub 2020 May 6.

An Integrated System for Fetal Scalp Visualization, Blood Collection and Analysis

Neeraj Kulkarni  1 , Deepti Pinto Rosario  1 , Shruthi Akkal  2 , Manisha Madhai Beck  1 , Liji Sarah David  1 , Reeta Vijayaselvi  1 , Bhaskar Mohan Murari  2
Affiliations

An Integrated System for Fetal Scalp Visualization, Blood Collection and Analysis

Neeraj Kulkarni et al. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Key message: The new NB scope aids in better visualization of the scalp and blood collection and analysis at bed side.

Objective: Caesarean section rates and inherent complications are on the rise all over the world. One way to avoid a caesarean is to measure fetal scalp blood lactate levels. The methods available to visualize fetal scalp, obtain the blood sample and perform the blood test are separate, cumbersome and expensive, needing a certain level of expertise. We propose a device that incorporates all the steps of obtaining a fetal scalp blood lactate into one sleek, easy to use device.

Methods: The initial design, 3-D print and was tried on mannequin. After ethics committee approval, the prototype was experimented on patients in labour with singleton live fetus in cephalic presentation with no evidence of distress.

Results: There were (n = 9) patients recruited. There were (n = 5) primigravida and (n = 4) multigravida all of whom were in active labour. Parity did not seem to influence ease of instrumentation. Of the (n = 9) mothers (n = 2) had meconium-stained liquor and the rest (n = 7) had clear liquor, meconium-stained liquor did not affect visualization. The mean time taken to collect the sample was 184.11(± 33.04) seconds.

Conclusion: The Neeraj-Bhaskar (NB) scope is an easy to use, affordable device that can be used time and again to decide on cases where emergency caesarean section can be avoided due to fetal distress.

Keywords: Fetal scalp blood sampling; Fetal scalp lactate; Fetal scalp visualization; NB scope.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestAll the authors do not have any conflict of interest. The manufactures also do not have any conflict of interest. Intellectual Property India No. 201741011937.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Scope. b Head. c Inner guides. d Front view of the scope. e Back view of the scope. f A prototype of NB scope was fabricated using fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing technology. g Camera in the central guide of the NB scope
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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