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.

There is provided a device (100) for placement on the abdomen (102) of a subject to measure uterine contractions of the subject and a fetal heart rate. The device (100) comprises a rigid base (104) for placement on the abdomen (102) of the subject and a cover (106) configured to connect to the rigid base (104). The cover (106) comprises a flexible portion moveable in response to uterine contractions of the subject. The device (100) further comprises a fetal heart rate sensor (108) mounted on the rigid base (104) and configured to measure the fetal heart rate. The device (100) also comprises a uterine contractions sensor (110) located within the device (100) and configured to measure the uterine contractions of the subject.

An apparatus for monitoring an obstetrics patient during labour is provided. The apparatus receives a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time and processes his signal to derive a sequence of rates of uterine contractions over time. The apparatus also implements a Graphical User Interface (GUI) presenting a tracing of at least part of the sequence of rates of uterine contractions over time along with a threshold rate of uterine contractions GUI is dynamically adapted over time based on the contraction signal received. The sequence of rates of uterine contractions derived over time is also processed to detect occurrences of anomalous contraction rates and to identify one or more portions of the tracing corresponding to sustained anomalous contraction rate segments during which anomalous contraction rates have persisted for time durations exceeding a pre-determined time duration. The GUI is configured to trigger an alarm event in response to identification of a specific sustained anomalous contraction rate segment.

A cable comprises a circuit, a switching element and an input connection for engaging an output connection of a sensor, the switching element configured to selectively enable the circuit of the cable assembly to process an accepted output of at least one of at least two sensors providing differing acceptable outputs and to provide a signal output corresponding to the accepted sensor output for processing by a monitor. A sensor includes an initiation element structured to cause a switching element associated with an input connection of the cable to change a mode of operation of the switching element to selectively enable the circuit to process an output of the sensor accepted by the cable and to provide a signal output corresponding to the accepted sensor output. A system comprises a monitor and the cable including the circuit and the switching element. Methods of operation are also disclosed.

A wireless fetal and maternal monitoring system includes a fetal sensor unit adapted to receive signals indicative of a fetal heartbeat, the sensor optionally utilizing a Doppler ultrasound sensor. A short-range transmission unit sends the signals indicative of fetal heartbeat to a gateway unit, either directly or via an auxiliary communications unit, in which case the electrical coupling between the short-range transmission unit and the auxiliary communications unit is via a wired connection. The system includes a contraction actuator actuatable upon a maternal uterine contraction, which optionally is a EMG sensor. A gateway device provides for data visualization and data securitization. The gateway device provides for remote transmission of information through a data communication network. A server adapted to receive the information from the gateway device serves to store and process the data, and an interface system to permits remote patient monitoring.

A uterine activity analysis apparatus, comprising a rendering device at least one controller coupled to the rendering device, and configured to acquire a uterine activity signal (UAS) corresponding to uterine activity of a patient; determine uterine activity information based upon the acquired UAS and render, on the rendering device, content based at least in part including UAS upon the determined uterine activity information. The controller may compare the determined uterine activity information with threshold uterine activity information and provide clinical decision support (CDS) based upon the decision. Furthermore, the controller may render a breathing guide to illustrate a preferred breathing pattern, when the start of a contraction is detected.

There are provided a maternal and fetal monitoring device and a display device for monitoring device including fetal heart rate acquisition means configured to acquire a fetal heart rate, labor pain intensity acquisition means configured to acquire a maternal labor pain intensity, fetal bioelectric signal acquisition means configured to acquire a fetal bioelectric signal, and display means capable of simultaneously displaying a cardiotocogram that displays the fetal heart rate and the labor pain intensity side by side on the same time axis over time as a graph and a fetal bioelectric signal diagram displaying the fetal bioelectric signal, and optimizing and displaying, together with the cardiotocogram, the fetal bioelectric signal diagram and the like closely related to these pieces of information.

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

Cervical ripening catheters are disclosed, and methods for monitoring and measuring a change in intrauterine parameters without rupturing the amniotic sac. The catheter is provided with a uterine balloon, and a pressure sensor in pressure sensing communication with the uterine balloon. Sensing circuitry is configured to detect pressure applied to the pressure-sensor and communicate information relating to uterine contractions. The catheter may also be provided with sensors for determining fetal heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, fetal blood pH or pelvimetry measurement. A working channel extends throughout the catheter to permit direct access to the amniotic sac by additional diagnostic or therapeutic tools.

In part, the disclosure relates to a safety monitor and related methods to evaluate and manage intrapartum uterine contractions induced or augmented by Pitocin or other contraction inducing agents. The systems and methods include measuring a contraction parameter that may include one or more of frequency, strength, and duration of uterine contractions through a measurement device connected to a monitor. The systems and methods are programmed to stop the pump-based administration of a contraction inducing agent. Various lock out protocols and control over the ability to re-start a given pump are also described herein.