A sensor interface system for providing a connection between at least one sensor and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the sensor(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The sensor interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the sensor(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynamometer.

The present invention relates to fetal monitoring and, more particularly, to an electronic external fetal monitoring system that includes a self adhering single use dermal patch including embedded sensors that can be attached to the skin of an expectant maternal patient and is configured to record fetal heart rate, uterine activity, and uterine integrity.

A patient monitoring system includes: a biomedical sensor including: a transducer configured to produce a signal corresponding to a biological function; a sensor converter configured to convert the signal to a converted signal; and a transmitter configured to produce a communication, based on the converted signal, that is indicative of one or more values of the biological function, and to send the communication wirelessly; and a base station including: a receiver configured to receive the communication wirelessly and to produce a receiver output signal; a base station interface configured to produce a base station output signal indicative of the one or more values of the biological function; and at least one output port to receive the base station output signal and configured to be hard-wire connected to a display that is configured to display information indicative of the biological function.

An apparatus (10) is for use in monitoring uterine contractions. Means are provided for separately detecting (18) solid (e.g. flush) contact of at least a portion of a sensor unit (14) of the apparatus on the abdomen, and for a detecting (20) an initial starting pressure, or a baseline pressure, between the sensor unit and the abdomen. A controller (24) is arranged to first sense contact of said at least portion of the sensor unit on the abdomen, and then responsive to the contact detection, detect the starting pressure using an integrated pressure sensor. The same pressure sensor is preferably used for monitoring the uterine contractions. The starting pressure provides a direct or indirect measure or indication of the tension of a belt which is arranged in use to hold the apparatus against the abdomen of the subject. By sensing the starting pressure, for example directly responsive to abdomen contact being sensed, this initial pressure value, or derivative therefore, can be used as a direct or indirect indication of the belt tension.

Independent component analysis may be performed on a plurality of detected electronic signals to separate signals within the detected electronic signals that are contributed by different sources. Each of the plurality of detected electronic signals may be received from a separate detector and may correspond to a detected optical signal emanating from a pregnant mammal's abdomen and a fetus contained therein. The detected optical signals may correspond to light that is projected into the pregnant mammal's abdomen from a light source. The separated signals may be analyzed to determine a separated signal that corresponds to light incident upon the fetus, which may be analyzed to determine a fetal hemoglobin oxygen saturation level of the fetus. An indication of the fetal hemoglobin oxygen saturation level may then be provided to the user.

A system for non-invasively acquiring maternal and/or fetal biopotential signals includes a wearable device configured to be worn by a pregnant patient comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to detect maternal and/or fetal biopotential signals associated with the patient and her fetus. The system further includes a computing device configured to receive the maternal and/or fetal biopotential signals from each of a plurality of electrode pairs and select, based on processing the maternal and/or fetal biopotential signals, one of the plurality of electrodes to use as a reference electrode during a monitoring session for the patient.

Methods for monitoring a fetus employ a mobile computing device. A method of monitoring a fetus includes generating a first preprocessed acoustic signal via amplification of a first acoustic signal. The first preprocessed acoustic signal is processed by a mobile computing device to extract one or more of a fetal heart sound, a fetal heartbeat rate, or a fetal heartbeat acoustic intensity.

A system and apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying uterine contraction information is provided. The graphical user interface displays first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of a contraction signal. The graphical user interface also displays, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions. In specific examples of implementation, the graphical user interface is adapted for selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by the first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

The present invention relates to the field of biomedical signal processing, specifically, a device and method of implementation for enhancing the accuracy of fetal heart rate acceleration data recognition. The present invention comprises: collecting fetal heart rate data in a pre-configured period so as to obtain a fetal heart rate data sequence, H(n); performing baseline identification on the fetal heart rate sequence, H(n), to obtain a fetal heart rate baseline data sequence, B(n); pre-processing the fetal heart rate data sequence, H(n), to obtain a pre-processed fetal heart rate data sequence, C(n); performing acceleration recognition on the pre-processed fetal heart rate data sequence, C(n), according to pre-configured acceleration determination criteria and the fetal heart rate baseline data sequence, B(n), to obtain acceleration data segments; calculating an acceleration attribute value for each of the acceleration data segments, and outputting each acceleration data segment and the acceleration attribute value calculation result thereof. The technical solution provided by the present invention effectively distinguishes the variations between the accelerations and the baseline, accurately recognizes each acceleration in continuous accelerations, and avoids the situations of the detected number of fetal heart rate data accelerations being lower than the actual number or being mistaken due to current methods, thereby enhancing the accuracy in recognizing fetal heart rate curve accelerations.

An infrasonic stethoscope for monitoring physiological processes of a patient includes a microphone capable of detecting acoustic signals in the audible frequency bandwidth and in the infrasonic bandwidth (0.03 to 1000 Hertz), a body coupler attached to the body at a first opening in the microphone, a flexible tube attached to the body at a second opening in the microphone, and an earpiece attached to the flexible tube. The body coupler is capable of engagement with a patient to transmit sounds from the person, to the microphone and then to the earpiece.