List of special scientific achievements and of new developments

The numbers in brackets refer to the original references as listed under “important publications”.

1958

Development of a new method of rapid placenta blood transfusion in cases of early cord ligation (1)

1958

First catheterisation of the aorta of the newborn immediately after delivery (2)

1959

Development of a new technique of blood exchange in the newborn (1, 5).

1960

Examination of the circulation of the newborn immediately after delivery (3)

1960

First blood gas analysis from central circulation to determine effectiveness of resuscitation methods in the newborn (4)

1961

Development of a rapid method to measure the blood O2 saturation in microsamples (together with K. Damaschke) (6)

1961

Development of fetal blood analysis, the first direct approach to the human fetus (7, 8, 11, 16, 18)

1962

First concept of a heart-lung-machine for the use in neonates, particularly very small prematures with serious disturbance of lung function (9)

1962

Development of amnioscopy, a method for examining amniotic fluid with the membranes still intact (10, 16, 18)

1964

Introduction of belt expression of the fetus to support the bearing down efforts of the parturient during the second stage of labor (12, 13)

1965

Introduction of combined clinical-biochemical assessment of the newborn immediately after delivery by Apgar score and simultaneous measurement of blood-pH in umbilical vessels (14, 16, 18, 22)

1966

Development of a newborn laryngoscope which has become widespread in the meantime. This instrument is – after recent recommendation of Swiss anesthesiologists – also particularly suitable for the intubation of very small prematures (16, 18)

1966

Introduction of buffer therapy for resuscitation of the newborn (16, 18, 19)

1966

Development of the concept of the so-called oxygen conserving adaptation of the fetal circulation (later by other authors erroneously called “brain-sparing effect”) (15, 23)

1967

Introduction of the term “Perinatal Medicine” (17)

1968

Introduction of modern monitoring of the fetus during labor by combined use of cardiotocogram and fetal blood analysis (20)

1969

First recommendations for establishing a new subdiscipline for prenatal and obstetrical medicine within women departments (21)

1972

First endoscopic examination of the esophagus and stomach in the newborn shortly after delivery (24)

1972

First injections of amino acids into amniotic fluid as compensatory nutrition for malnourished fetuses (together with P. Salchow and J. W. Dudenhausen) (25)

1972

First attempts to use a “mesh stocking cap” to extract the fetus for vaginal termination of labor (26)

1973

Development of a device for measuring the tractive forces applied on the infant during vacuum extraction (27)

1975

Introduction of a new method of external cephalic version in cases of breech presentation by relaxing the uterus with tocolytic substances (together with W. Müller-Holve) (28, 29)

1978

Modification of the vacuum extractor (30)

1978

Introduction of methods for continuous disinfecting of the vagina to prevent ascending infection during pregnancy and labor after rupture of the membranes (31, 35)

1978

Development of equipment for transmitting preterm contractions per telephone from the patient's home to the hospital (together with U. Blücher) (32)

1979

Development of the knee-bend-test (KBT) for cardiotocographic detection of imminent fetal distress (33)

1980

Development of obstetric spoons (modified forceps) (34)

1981

Introduction of the early total operative occlusion of the external os uteri, a new method of preventing recurrent late abortion and prematurity (36)

1982

Development of a new atraumatic electrode concept for registration of fetal cardiotocogram during labor (in cooperation with S. Schmidt, K. Langner and J. Rothe) (37)

1983

First successful use of special blood transfusions (buffy-coat) for the prevention of fetal growth retardation (together with R. Malchius and I. Hoppe) (38)

1983

Development of a device for the inductive measurement of the width of the os uteri during labor (together with U. Blücher and S. Schmidt) (39)

1983

First performance of a prenatal magneto-encephalogram in the human fetus (together with T. Blum and R. Bauer) (40, 41)

1984

Microphonic recording of the acoustic milieu in the uterus during labor (together with U. Blücher and J. Rothe) (42)

1986

Development of an acoustic bell-test (bicycle-bell) as a new diagnostic parameter in antepartum cardiotocographic monitoring (43)

1986

First compensatory supply of essentially important substances by infusion into the abdominal cavity of the malnourished fetus (44, 46)

1987

Development of a new Apgar score adapted Umbilical Acidity Score for better assessment of the newborn immediately after delivery (45)

1989

Development of a Prematurity-Prevention-Program suitable for routine use (47, 48, 49)

1990

Development of an egg-pole lavage for bacteriological diagnostics of ascending infections in the genital tract of the pregnant patients (50)

1993

Development of a project of prenatal-care-self-examination by the patient herself for the prevention of prematurity (51, 52)

2000

New Method for the Self Assessment of the pH-Value of the Vaginal Secretions by an Indicator Coated Panty Liner – First preliminary communication (53)

2002

Conception of a self-care form for pregnant women (54)