Tocodynamometers are used to monitor Uterine Contractions of women in labor. These have been around for quite some time **w, but they have remained pricey, require lots of gel and regular cleanings to remain operational, and can be difficult attach. A team of researchers from University of Arkansas developed the Koala Toco, a new Tocodynamometer that is cheap e**ugh to be disposable thanks to **t having any electronics within.
The device is air powered, having a little chamber that compresses during a contraction. This additional pressure is detected within the “smart cable” that attaches to standard fetal heart rate monitors on which the Contractions are displayed. The device costs roughly $15, making it disposable at such a low price and doesn’t require cleanings as with conventional electronic tocodynamometers.
The Koala Toco is **w available from Clinical In**vations, a Murray, Utah medical device firm.