The invention provides a fetal movement monitoring system which uses optical pattern sensing to detect fetal movements. Fetal movements provide a change in the optical path between the optical sensor and detector, such as a different proportion of amniotic fluid and fetus and/or a different contact pressure with the optical sensor arrangements. One or both of these effects may be detected based on analysis of the optical signals captured by the system.

The disclosed system determines a fetal blood oxygenation level. During operation, the system activates two or more light sources, having different wavelengths, which are positioned on the abdomen of a pregnant mammal to direct light into the maternal abdomen toward a fetus. Next, the system receives a set of mixed signals from a set of photodetectors, which are positioned at different locations on the maternal abdomen to receive reflected light that traverses both maternal and fetal tissue. The system then performs a filtering operation that removes signal components associated with a maternal heart rate and a maternal respiration rate from the set of mixed signals to produce a set of fetal signals. Next, the system combines the set of fetal signals to produce a composite fetal signal. Finally, the system determines the fetal blood oxygenation level by performing a pulse-oximetry computation based on the composite fetal signal.

The disclosed system determines a fetal blood oxygenation level. During operation, the system activates two or more light sources, having different wavelengths, which are positioned on the abdomen of a pregnant mammal to direct light into the maternal abdomen toward a fetus. Next, the system receives a set of mixed signals from a set of photodetectors, which are positioned at different locations on the maternal abdomen to receive reflected light that traverses both maternal and fetal tissue. The system then performs a filtering operation that removes signal components associated with a maternal heart rate and a maternal respiration rate from the set of mixed signals to produce a set of fetal signals. Next, the system combines the set of fetal signals to produce a composite fetal signal. Finally, the system determines the fetal blood oxygenation level by performing a pulse-oximetry computation based on the composite fetal signal.

Methods for dynamically evaluating blood flow are provided. The method may include injecting Indocyanine Green (ICG) into the bloodstream of a patient, such that the ICG perfuses into a tissue of the patient. ICG images of the tissue may be recorded and stored, such that a user may select a range of stored ICG images. Data indicative of the selected range of stored ICG images is automatically normalized and background-filtering, and a dynamic representation of the ICG perfusion may be generated as a function of time based on the normalized and filtered data. As such, a clinical decision may be made based on the dynamic representation of the ICG perfusion.

Described herein is an apparatus to detect fetal acidosis during labor. This apparatus, which is noninvasive to the fetus, has a pH sensor and at least one fetal tissue detector. When the apparatus is inserted into the vaginal canal of a patient during labor, the pH reading determined by the pH sensor correlates to the pH of the fetus's blood. The fetal tissue detector may be a pulse oximeter, which may allow for a user to obtain the pulse rate reading of a surface contacted by the pH sensor. This pulse rate reading may be compared to an external reading of a pulse rate of the patient to confirm whether the pH sensor is contacting the fetus. During travel through the vaginal canal, the pH sensor may be protected by a protective sheath with an area of weakness to allow exposure of the pH sensor when the fetus is reached.

Described herein is an apparatus to detect fetal acidosis during labor. This apparatus, which is noninvasive to the fetus, has a pH sensor and at least one fetal tissue detector. When the apparatus is inserted into the vaginal canal of a patient during labor, the pH reading determined by the pH sensor correlates to the pH of the fetus's blood. The fetal tissue detector may be a pulse oximeter, which may allow for a user to obtain the pulse rate reading of a surface contacted by the pH sensor. This pulse rate reading may be compared to an external reading of a pulse rate of the patient to confirm whether the pH sensor is contacting the fetus. During travel through the vaginal canal, the pH sensor may be protected by a protective sheath with an area of weakness to allow exposure of the pH sensor when the fetus is reached.

This disclosure provides transabdominal fetal oximetry (TFO) that uses frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy to measure time-resolved reflectance values of light signals collected from a maternal-fetal multilayer tissue structure. In various embodiments, the disclosed FMCW time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy is configured to function as an optical interferometer that uses two frequency-swept laser sources of different center wavelengths 1 and 2 as probe lights to detect optical property in vascular tissues of the maternal-fetal multilayer tissue structure. The FMCW near-infrared spectroscopy is configured to collect light signals returned from the multilayer structure and generate a time-resolved reflectance curve based on the collected light signals.

This disclosure provides transabdominal fetal oximetry (TFO) that uses frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy to measure time-resolved reflectance values of light signals collected from a maternal-fetal multilayer tissue structure. In various embodiments, the disclosed FMCW time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy is configured to function as an optical interferometer that uses two frequency-swept laser sources of different center wavelengths 1 and 2 as probe lights to detect optical property in vascular tissues of the maternal-fetal multilayer tissue structure. The FMCW near-infrared spectroscopy is configured to collect light signals returned from the multilayer structure and generate a time-resolved reflectance curve based on the collected light signals.

During childbirth process, trauma to an infant can readily arise, ultimately resulting in fetal hypoxia, academia, and brain damage. Such unfavorable conditions can be prevented by measuring the fetus' blood-oxygen level and heart rate. Without a fetal pulse oximeters, blood oxygen level cannot be monitored non-invasively reliably, which reduces the chance for birth complications to be recognized in time. A noninvasive system to implement such goals and maximize the potential welfare of the fetus may include devices to measure oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) that have been available for at least 50 years. Such a device may be an oxy probe that uses a trans-reflective method of SpO2 measurement where oxygen saturation data can be transmitted through wire, fiber optics, and or using a radio frequency link, fetal monitor data can be analyzed, compared to existing data base, and or transmitted via radio waves or internet.

During childbirth process, trauma to an infant can readily arise, ultimately resulting in fetal hypoxia, academia, and brain damage. Such unfavorable conditions can be prevented by measuring the fetus' blood-oxygen level and heart rate. Without a fetal pulse oximeters, blood oxygen level cannot be monitored non-invasively reliably, which reduces the chance for birth complications to be recognized in time. A noninvasive system to implement such goals and maximize the potential welfare of the fetus may include devices to measure oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) that have been available for at least 50 years. Such a device may be an oxy probe that uses a trans-reflective method of SpO2 measurement where oxygen saturation data can be transmitted through wire, fiber optics, and or using a radio frequency link, fetal monitor data can be analyzed, compared to existing data base, and or transmitted via radio waves or internet.