The invention provides systems and methods for monitoring the wellbeing of a fetus by the non-invasive detection and analysis of fetal cardiac electrical activity data.

The invention provides systems and methods for monitoring the wellbeing of a fetus by the non-invasive detection and analysis of fetal cardiac electrical activity data.

A device and method for deriving and displaying a time-averaged fetal heart rate signal in conjunction with microvariability information relating to variation in the beat-to-beat heart rate signal within the different time-averaging epochs or windows. Supplementary information is displayed, for example temporally aligned or registered with the time-average heart rate signal, which is indicative of variation information for the signal during averaging windows of the time-averaged signal.

A device and method for deriving and displaying a time-averaged fetal heart rate signal in conjunction with microvariability information relating to variation in the beat-to-beat heart rate signal within the different time-averaging epochs or windows. Supplementary information is displayed, for example temporally aligned or registered with the time-average heart rate signal, which is indicative of variation information for the signal during averaging windows of the time-averaged signal.

A disposable spiral electrode for a fetal scalp, comprising an electrode fixing column (6), a spiral electrode and an auxiliary electrode (6.1, 6.3) which are on the electrode fixing column (6), a twisted pair (4), an inner sleeve (8), an outer sleeve (1) and an outer sleeve fixing piece, wherein one end of the outer sleeve (1) is inserted into the outer sleeve fixing piece; the electrode fixing column (6) extends out of or retracts into the other end of the outer sleeve (1); one end of the twisted pair (4) sleeved with the inner sleeve (8) is respectively connected to the spiral electrode and the auxiliary electrode (6.1, 6.3), and the other end thereof is led out from within the outer sleeve fixing piece; an outer sleeve (2) in the outer sleeve fixing piece is movably sleeved on an inner sleeve (5) and may move relatively along the axial direction; one end of the outer sleeve (2) is in insertion connection with one end of the outer sleeve (1); a section of an inwardly concave arc (3.1) is arranged on a wire pressing ring (3) movably connected to one end of the inner sleeve (5); a groove (5.3) is formed in the edge of an end opening of the inner sleeve (5), and the wire pressing ring (3) is buckled on the end opening of the inner sleeve (5); and the inwardly concave arc (3.1) and the groove (5.3) form a meshing opening that clamps the twisted pair (4). The telescoping of the spiral electrode is convenient to control and accurate, and the twisted pair (4) is convenient to fix and reliable. The shape design of the electrode fixing column (6) is reasonable and safe to use.

A disposable spiral electrode for a fetal scalp, comprising an electrode fixing column (6), a spiral electrode and an auxiliary electrode (6.1, 6.3) which are on the electrode fixing column (6), a twisted pair (4), an inner sleeve (8), an outer sleeve (1) and an outer sleeve fixing piece, wherein one end of the outer sleeve (1) is inserted into the outer sleeve fixing piece; the electrode fixing column (6) extends out of or retracts into the other end of the outer sleeve (1); one end of the twisted pair (4) sleeved with the inner sleeve (8) is respectively connected to the spiral electrode and the auxiliary electrode (6.1, 6.3), and the other end thereof is led out from within the outer sleeve fixing piece; an outer sleeve (2) in the outer sleeve fixing piece is movably sleeved on an inner sleeve (5) and may move relatively along the axial direction; one end of the outer sleeve (2) is in insertion connection with one end of the outer sleeve (1); a section of an inwardly concave arc (3.1) is arranged on a wire pressing ring (3) movably connected to one end of the inner sleeve (5); a groove (5.3) is formed in the edge of an end opening of the inner sleeve (5), and the wire pressing ring (3) is buckled on the end opening of the inner sleeve (5); and the inwardly concave arc (3.1) and the groove (5.3) form a meshing opening that clamps the twisted pair (4). The telescoping of the spiral electrode is convenient to control and accurate, and the twisted pair (4) is convenient to fix and reliable. The shape design of the electrode fixing column (6) is reasonable and safe to use.

A detection probe and a fetal monitor. The detection probe comprises a probe body (2) and a mounting structure (1), detachably mounted on the probe body (2) and having a heart rate sensor for heart rate detection, a socket (4) for data transmission, and a lead line (5) for connecting the heart rate sensor and the socket (4) arranged thereon. A variety of functions can be achieved by means of a single detection device and thus the degree of integration is high; moreover, when the heart rate sensor is failed or aged, because the mounting structure (1) can be separated from the probe body (2), it is only necessary to repair and replace a corresponding part, so that the maintenance is convenient and the cost is reduced. Furthermore, the mounting structure (1) can also product the probe body (2) to some extent, and thus the anti-dropping capability of the detection probe is improved.

A detection probe and a fetal monitor. The detection probe comprises a probe body (2) and a mounting structure (1), detachably mounted on the probe body (2) and having a heart rate sensor for heart rate detection, a socket (4) for data transmission, and a lead line (5) for connecting the heart rate sensor and the socket (4) arranged thereon. A variety of functions can be achieved by means of a single detection device and thus the degree of integration is high; moreover, when the heart rate sensor is failed or aged, because the mounting structure (1) can be separated from the probe body (2), it is only necessary to repair and replace a corresponding part, so that the maintenance is convenient and the cost is reduced. Furthermore, the mounting structure (1) can also product the probe body (2) to some extent, and thus the anti-dropping capability of the detection probe is improved.

A sensing system and method uses a sense electrode arrangement for coupling to a surface of a body such that the sense electrode arrangement and the body (and the spacing between them) define a coupling capacitance. First and second sensing circuits have different transfer functions and generate first and second outputs. These outputs are processed to determine the coupling capacitance. The electrophysiological signal being monitored is also acquired by one or both of the sensing circuits. In this way, the quality of the electrode coupling can be determined in a simple and passive manner.

A sensing system and method uses a sense electrode arrangement for coupling to a surface of a body such that the sense electrode arrangement and the body (and the spacing between them) define a coupling capacitance. First and second sensing circuits have different transfer functions and generate first and second outputs. These outputs are processed to determine the coupling capacitance. The electrophysiological signal being monitored is also acquired by one or both of the sensing circuits. In this way, the quality of the electrode coupling can be determined in a simple and passive manner.