Please not that the Vacuum Cup is currently not available for sale. If you require more information, please contact us.
The O’Neil Obstetric Vacuum Cup is a reusable stainless steel cup attached to the foetal scalp by vacuum to assist delivery in the second stage of labour.
The single hand operated cup helps to reduce scalp pain to the infant compared to other vacuum cups or the use of forceps. The device maintains optimal traction within a 70 degrees range. It features a rotating collar that can maintain the direction of pull through the centre of the vacuum surface. This principle helps to eliminate tilt and reduce lateral movements, helping to reduce the failure rate due to the cup slipping.
The rotating collar permits rotation of the foetal head during the cups operation. The cup design also eliminates vacuum failure due to kinking or detachment of tube. The flexible silicone vacuum hose is merged with the cup’s body and the interior is lined with stainless steel.
The obstetric cup comes in two versions, an anterior and posterior version. The cup is reusable and made with increased grip. The vacuum cup is manufactured to easily fit into any vantouse equipment making it easy to use.
In the past, many obstetricians have been taught to pull at 90 degrees to the cup. Many have failed to achieve consistent good results when applying traction at 90 degrees to the cup as this vector which gives it maximum efficiency is not always parallel with the ideal direction of traction for the pelvis. The ideal direction of traction through the pelvis is constantly changing as the head descends, while the point to which the cup is attached remains constant.
Vacuum Cup Features:
- Easy to use, single handle operation reduces scalp trauma.
- Maintains optimal traction within 70 degrees range.
- Reduces failure rates due to cup slipping. Permits rotation of fetal head during operation.
- Eliminates vacuum failures due to kinking or detachment of tube.
- The flexible silicone vacuum hose is fused to the cup body and has an internal stainless steel coil to prevent kinking.
- Available in anterior and posterior versions.
- Reusable
Product History
In 1981 George O’Neil along with two other writers had the article published “A New Method of Traction for the Vacuum Cup”. This article presented the potential of an early design of the O’Neil Obstetric Cup. This Vacuum Cup had the unique aspect of the traction collar and it’s positioning that allows for force to be spread evenly when pulling the Vacuum Cup from a range of directions. Since Go Medical was established in 1986, the VC and has been on the product range of Go Medical devices throughout the history of Go Medical.
Go Medical has maintained a small but steady market for the Vacuum Cup since 1986. Recent sales volumes for this device remain very low in recent years. Go Medical provides a repair service for vacuum cups that have been sold into the market.
Intended Use
The VC is intended to be used for vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery of a baby in the second stage of labour by an obstetrician or trained mid wife.
Indications
- Prolonged pushing in the second stage of labor or maternal exhaustion
- Fetal emergency in the second stage of labor, generally indicated by changes in the fetal heart-rate
- Maternal illness where "bearing down" or pushing efforts would be risky (e.g. cardiac conditions, blood pressure)
Contraindications
- Fetal prematurity (<34 weeks of gestation)
- Fetal scalp trauma
- Unengaged head
- Incomplete cervical dilatation
- Active bleeding or suspected fetal coagulation defects
- Suspected macrosomia
- Nonvertex presentation or other malpresentation
- Cephalopelvic disproportion
- Delivery requiring rotation or excessive traction
- Inadequate anesthsia
Device Variants
| Catalogue Number | Description |
|---|---|
| VC 1151 | Anterior Cup (55mm) with handle |
| VC 1152 | Posterior Cup (55mm) with handle |
| VC 1153 | Anterior Cup (50mm) with handle |
| VC 1154 | Posterior Cup (50mm) with handle |
Accessories
| Catalogue Number | Description |
|---|---|
| BP 1050 | Bottom plates, small (6pcs per packet) |
| BP 1055 | Bottom plates, large (6pcs per packet) |
| CON 1007 | Universal connector |
| EC 1001 | E Clip |
| TC 1006 | Traction cord (6pcs per packet) |
| TH 1009 | Traction handle |
| WL 1004 | Large Washer |
| WS 1002 | Small Washer |
Reference Material
The following papers report on the safely and clinical effectiveness of the Go Medical Vacuum Cup.
- Hofmeyr GJ, Gobetz L, Sonnendecker EWW, Turner MJ. 1990 New design rigid and soft vacuum extractor cups: a preliminary comparison of traction forces. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; 97:681–5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2205287
- Thiery M, Van Den Broecke R, Kermans G, Parewijck W, Dhont M, Vanlancker M, et al. 1987. A randomized study of two cups for vacuum extraction. Journal of Perinatal Medicine; 15(2):129–36. http://edoc.hu-berlin.de/oa/degruyter/jpme.1987.15.2.129.pdf