Medical device for monitoring uterine contractions goes to market

The tocodynamometer, marketed as Koala Toco, was approved in May by the Food and Drug Administration. Koala Toco, manufactured and marketed by Murray, Utah-based Clinical Innovations, is compatible and works with existing equipment like fetal heart rate monitors.

Work on developing the device started about four years ago by Curtis Lowery, M.D., chairman of the College of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hari Eswaran, Ph.D., a professor in the same department, and James D. Wilson, M.S., assistant director of research at the UALR Graduate Institute of Technology.

Tocodynamometers are electronic devices for monitoring and recording uterine contractions during labor. They are applied to the lower part of the uterus using a belt.

"It was necessary to measure contractions through a device that was more affordable and easier to use than conventional tocodynamometers," Lowery said. "That's how it all got started."

Older tocodynamometers can cost hundreds of dollars, are completely electronic and have to be cleaned following their use. Koala Toco is a small plastic disk with air inside that rests on the abdomen of a pregnant woman. When the uterus contracts, it pushes against the intrauterine wall and makes internal pressure rise. That pushes the air inside the Koala Toco and produces a signal. The signal is transmitted through an attached cable that also is plugged into a fetal heart rate monitor.

"Electronic tocodynamometers are heavier, and because of their cost, are cleaned and stored away after use," Eswaran said. "Perspiration, other bodily fluids and medical gels all can be present on the abdominal skin of woman in labor and come in contact with the tocodynamometer. Because Koala Toco costs about $15, the nurse doesn't have to spend time later cleaning and sterilizing the device. Ours can be tossed out."