Abstract: A hat (200) for a neonate (120) comprising: a central portion (201), a first side portion (202) and second side portion (203) attached to opposite sides of the central portion (201), a first fastener (208); a top flap (204) and a second fastener (211). The hat (200) has an unfolded configuration and a worn configuration. In the unfolded configuration the first and second portions (202, 203) extend away from each other from the central portion (201) in opposite directions. In the worn configuration the hat (200) wraps a neonate's head with the central portion (201) in contact with the back of the neonate's head, the first portion (202) wrapped around a first side of the neonate's head and the second portion (203) wrapped around a second side of the neonate's head.

Abstract: A device is disclosed comprising: an optical physiological sensor and a further measurement system. The optical physiological sensor comprises a light emitter and a light detector configured to detect the light from the light emitter after it has been attenuated by tissue comprising blood vessels. The optical physiological sensor is configured to determine the value of a physiological parameter from the detected light. The further measurement system is configured to determine when the value of the physiological parameter is likely to be reliable. The further measurement system comprises at least one measurement subsystem, each measurement subsystem employing a different measurement modality that is also different to a measurement modality used to determine the value of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A photoplethysmograph device includes a light source for illuminating a target object. A modulator drives the light source such that the output intensity varies as a function of a modulation signal at a modulation frequency. A detector receives light from the target object and generates an electrical output as a function of the intensity of received light. A demodulator with a local oscillator receives the detector output and produces a demodulated output, insensitive to any phase difference between the modulation signal and the oscillator, indicative of blood volume as a function of time and/or blood composition. A number of demodulators may be provided to derive signals from multiple light sources of different wavelengths, or from an array of detectors. The plethysmograph may operate in a transmission mode or a reflectance mode. When in a reflectance mode, the device may use the green part of the optical spectrum and may use polarising filters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for monitoring one or more physiological parameters of an individual. The system (100) comprises an optical fibre assembly (110) configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of an individual, and a pressure sensor (120) configured to measure a contact pressure of the optical fibre assembly (110) on the individual. The pressure sensor (120) comprises an optical fibre (122) comprising a transducer fibre Bragg grating (127) embedded in a matrix (121). The matrix (121) is configured to cause longitudinal strain in the transducer fibre Bragg grating (127) in response to the matrix (121) being subject to a transverse load. The one or more physiological parameters that the system (100) is for monitoring may include blood oxygen saturation (Sp O2), capillary refill time (CRT), heart rate, blood flow and CO2 emissions from skin.

Abstract: The invention concerns fetal movement monitoring apparatus having a deflection sensor device arranged to be applied to a mother's abdomen for detection of abdominal deflections indicative of fetal movements and to output a signal comprising one or more record of said abdominal deflections. A processor under the control of machine readable instructions is arranged to process the signal output from the deflection sensor device and to output a log of fetal movement over time. The processor is arranged to receive one or more further input indicative of maternal or fetal movement or wellbeing, for example from a second sensor device by which a user can input a record of perceived fetal movements. The processor may compare the output of the first sensor device and the user's input via the second sensor device and output a log of fetal movements over time based upon said comparison.

Abstract: A hat (200) for a neonate (120) comprising: a central portion (201), a first side portion (202) and second side portion (203) attached to opposite sides of the central portion (201), a first fastener (208); a top flap (204) and a second fastener (211). The hat (200) has an unfolded configuration and a worn configuration. In the unfolded configuration the first and second portions (202, 203) extend away from each other from the central portion (201) in opposite directions. In the worn configuration the hat (200) wraps a neonate's head with the central portion (201) in contact with the back of the neonate's head, the first portion (202) wrapped around a first side of the neonate's head and the second portion (203) wrapped around a second side of the neonate's head.

Abstract: A textile comprising a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor comprising an optical fibre (102) with a transducer FBG (107), and a transducer patch (101) having a first face and a second opposite face, wherein: the transducer FBG (107) is embedded in the transducer patch (101), the transducer patch (101) is less than 10 mm in length along the optical fibre (102), and the transducer patch (101) is configured to cause longitudinal strain in the transducer FBG (107) in response to the transducer patch (101) being subject to a pressure load on the first and second face, the longitudinal strain arising as a result of extension of the transducer patch (101) due to the Poisson effect.

Abstract: A combined sensor adapted to measure at least one medical or clinical sign is provided. The combined sensor comprises a textile sensor configured so as to determine pressure applied to the combined sensor; and an optical sensor. The optical sensor typically comprises at least one fibre-optic sensor (FOS) and may function as a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, optionally a reflectance mode photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. The combined sensor is able to eliminate motion artefacts caused by movement of a subject wearing the sensor thereby facilitating long-term ambulatory monitoring of subjects.

Abstract: A capillary refill measurement apparatus (1), comprising a support element (14) configured to receive the weight of a user through their foot, a light source (22) for illuminating a region of the foot that exerts weight onto the support element (14), a light detector (24) arranged to receive light from the illuminated region (36) of the foot and generate an output based on the received light, and a processor (26) configured to determine a capillary refill rate from the output of the light detector (24) when the user adjusts the amount of weight received by the support element (14).

Abstract: The invention concerns fetal movement monitoring apparatus having a deflection sensor device arranged to be applied to a mother's abdomen for detection of abdominal deflections indicative of fetal movements and to output a signal comprising one or more record of said abdominal deflections. A processor under the control of machine readable instructions is arranged to process the signal output from the deflection sensor device and to output a log of fetal movement over time. The processor is arranged to receive one or more further input indicative of maternal or fetal movement or wellbeing, for example from a second sensor device by which a user can input a record of perceived fetal movements. The processor may compare the output of the first sensor device and the user's input via the second sensor device and output a log of fetal movements over time based upon said comparison.

Abstract: A photoplethysmograph device includes a light source for illuminating a target object. A modulator drives the light source such that the output intensity varies as a function of a modulation signal at a modulation frequency. A detector receives light from the target object and generates an electrical output as a function of the intensity of received light. A demodulator with a local oscillator receives the detector output and produces a demodulated output, insensitive to any phase difference between the modulation signal and the oscillator, indicative of blood volume as a function of time and/or blood composition. A number of demodulators may be provided to derive signals from multiple light sources of different wavelengths, or from an array of detectors. The plethysmograph may operate in a transmission mode or a reflectance mode. When in a reflectance mode, the device may use the green part of the optical spectrum and may use polarising filters.

Abstract: A photoplethysmograph device includes a light source for illuminating a target object. A modulator drives the light source such that the output intensity varies as a function of a modulation signal at a modulation frequency. A detector receives light from the target object and generates an electrical output as a function of the intensity of received light. A demodulator with a local oscillator receives the detector output and produces a demodulated output, insensitive to any phase difference between the modulation signal and the oscillator, indicative of blood volume as a function of time and/or blood composition. A number of demodulators may be provided to derive signals from multiple light sources of different wavelengths, or from an array of detectors. The plethysmograph may operate in a transmission mode or a reflectance mode. When in a reflectance mode, the device may use the green part of the optical spectrum and may use polarizing filters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the heart rate of a fetus. The apparatus includes three detectors detecting heart beats of the fetus, each detector including at least two electrodes detecting ECG signals, the detectors being positioned on an abdomen of a mother in use. The apparatus also includes a processor coupled to the detectors, the processor being adapted to process the ECG signals received from the detectors and determine a heart rate of the fetus. The method of determining the heart rate of the fetus includes determining a position of the fetus within a womb, placing the detectors on an abdomen of the mother, monitoring the ECG signals obtained from the detectors for a predetermined length of time, and processing the ECG signals obtained from the detectors positioned on the abdomen of the mother to determine heart beats of the mother.

Abstract: A system comprises an illumination system to illuminate a sensor device with a reference beam of electromagnetic radiation and with electromagnetic radiation from a subject. A Doppler shift of the radiation from the subject occurs, if the subject is moving, vibrating, or is a flowing fluid. The sensor device provides an array of electromagnetic radiation sensors and has processing circuitry integrated into the sensor device to process the output of the sensors to provide the output of the sensor device. The processing circuitry is operable to provide, for each operative sensor, a value calculated from the Doppler shift of the radiation from the subject at the corresponding position at the subject, and to provide the calculated values as the processed output. This reduces the data rate required at the output of the sensor device, and allows the output to be used to form an image on a display representing the movement, vibration or flow of the subject.

Abstract: For imaging, an electromagnetic radiation sensor is used to produce an output when illuminated by a modulated laser light. In use, the output is determined by a laser Doppler signal illuminating the sensor. Various examples are described for achieving integration of on-chip processing onto the substrate providing the sensor. In one example, the output of the sensor is a logarithmic function of the illuminating laser Doppler signal. In another example, the output of the sensor is normalized. In another example, an amplifier arrangement is provided to amplify the output of the sensor, the amplifier gain being lower at DC than at the frequency range of the laser Doppler signal. In another example, a filter is integrated into the semiconductor device. In another example, a bandpass filter and frequency weighted filter are provided, and their outputs are processed to average values over time.

Abstract: A photoplethysmograph device includes a light source for illuminating a target object. A modulator drives the light source such that the output intensity varies as a function of a modulation signal at a modulation frequency. A detector receives light from the target object and generates an electrical output as a function of the intensity of received light. A demodulator with a local oscillator receives the detector output and produces a demodulated output,insensitive to any phase difference between the modulation signal and the oscillator, indicative of blood volume as a function of time and/or blood composition. A number of demodulators may be provided to derive signals from multiple light sources of different wavelengths, or from an array of detectors. The plethysmograph may operate in a transmission mode or a reflectance mode. When in a reflectance mode, the device may use the green part of the optical spectrum and may use polarising filters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the heart rate of a fetus. The apparatus includes three detectors detecting heart beats of the fetus, each detector including at least two electrodes detecting ECG signals, the detectors being positioned on an abdomen of a mother in use. The apparatus also includes a processor coupled to the detectors, the processor being adapted to process the ECG signals received from the detectors and determine a heart rate of the fetus. The method of determining the heart rate of the fetus includes determining a position of the fetus within a womb, placing the detectors on an abdomen of the mother, monitoring the ECG signals obtained from the detectors for a predetermined length of time, and processing the ECG signals obtained from the detectors positioned on the abdomen of the mother to determine heart beats of the mother.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for detecting the heart rate of a fetus. The apparatus includes at least two detectors for detecting heart beats of the fetus, each detector comprising at least two electrodes for detecting ECG signals. A processor, which is coupled to the detectors, is used to process the ECG signals received from each detector and determine the heart rate of the fetus.

Abstract: Fetal behaviour is monitored by receiving ECG data from a set of electrodes attached to a materrial body. A waveform pre-processor identifies a succession of fetal ECG complex waveforms within the received data and a waveform processor determines differences in the processor succession of fetal ECG complex waveforms over time. An event logger determines from the determined differences a number of fetal movements during the period of time. Fetal spatial presentation and/or position within the uterus may also be determined from fetal ECG data acquired from a plurality of electrodes positioned on the maternal abdomen in a predetermined configuration. A number of fetal ECG complex waveforms are identified within the data, and each of the waveforms is compared with a set of predetermined fetal ECG complex templates ascribed to the predetermined electrode configuration to determine a template that best matches the identified fetal ECG waveforms.