A plurality of sets of simulated optical inputs that is simulated to travel through an animal model of tissue, thereby generating simulated light transmission data, and corresponding oximetry vales may be used to train a simulated fetal oximetry model to predict, or calculate, oximetry values for subsequently received sets of simulated light transmission data. The simulated fetal oximetry model may be adapted to train an in vivo fetal oximetry model that may be configured to predict, or calculate, fetal oximetry values for subsequently received sets of light transmission data received from an in vivo study of a pregnant mammal and her fetus.

A plurality of sets of simulated optical inputs that is simulated to travel through an animal model of tissue, thereby generating simulated light transmission data, and corresponding oximetry vales may be used to train a simulated fetal oximetry model to predict, or calculate, oximetry values for subsequently received sets of simulated light transmission data. The simulated fetal oximetry model may be adapted to train an in vivo fetal oximetry model that may be configured to predict, or calculate, fetal oximetry values for subsequently received sets of light transmission data received from an in vivo study of a pregnant mammal and her fetus.

An apparatus and method for non-invasively determining the blood oxygen saturation within a subject's tissue by near-infrared spectroscopy is disclosed. Embodiments of the apparatus and method use the multi-distance method and take into account the attenuation of the light signal due to light absorbers other than hemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin and the scattering properties of a subject's tissue.

An apparatus and method for non-invasively determining the blood oxygen saturation within a subject's tissue by near-infrared spectroscopy is disclosed. Embodiments of the apparatus and method use the multi-distance method and take into account the attenuation of the light signal due to light absorbers other than hemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin and the scattering properties of a subject's tissue.

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.

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.

One aspect of the invention provides a fetal pulse oximeter including: a shape-memory member adapted and configured to expand outward and define a loop when advanced out of a cannula; one or more light sources mounted on the shape memory member and facing toward a center of the loop, the one or more light sources adapted and configured to generate red and infrared light; and a photodiode mounted on the shape memory member and facing toward a center of the loop. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for measuring recording pulse and blood oxygen saturation. The method includes: advancing the fetal pulse oximeter as described herein out of a cannula within a placenta; allowing the shape-memory member to expand outward; and placing the loop over a limb.

One aspect of the invention provides a fetal pulse oximeter including: a shape-memory member adapted and configured to expand outward and define a loop when advanced out of a cannula; one or more light sources mounted on the shape memory member and facing toward a center of the loop, the one or more light sources adapted and configured to generate red and infrared light; and a photodiode mounted on the shape memory member and facing toward a center of the loop. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for measuring recording pulse and blood oxygen saturation. The method includes: advancing the fetal pulse oximeter as described herein out of a cannula within a placenta; allowing the shape-memory member to expand outward; and placing the loop over a limb.

A system for sensing physiological traits of a maternal patient and a fetal patient carried by the maternal patient during a pregnancy using one or more sensors. The system may use the physiological traits sensed to define a maternal attribute for the maternal patient and a fetal attribute for the fetal patient, such as a heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, temperature, oxygen saturation level, or other attributes. The system is configured to compare the maternal attribute to a maternal limit describing a threshold for the maternal patient and/or compare the fetal attribute to a fetal limit describing a threshold for the fetal patient. The system is configured to issue a communication to the maternal patient and/or a clinician based on the comparisons. In examples, the system regularly communicates the maternal attribute and/or the fetal attribute to an output device of the maternal patient and/or a clinician.

A system for sensing physiological traits of a maternal patient and a fetal patient carried by the maternal patient during a pregnancy using one or more sensors. The system may use the physiological traits sensed to define a maternal attribute for the maternal patient and a fetal attribute for the fetal patient, such as a heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, temperature, oxygen saturation level, or other attributes. The system is configured to compare the maternal attribute to a maternal limit describing a threshold for the maternal patient and/or compare the fetal attribute to a fetal limit describing a threshold for the fetal patient. The system is configured to issue a communication to the maternal patient and/or a clinician based on the comparisons. In examples, the system regularly communicates the maternal attribute and/or the fetal attribute to an output device of the maternal patient and/or a clinician.