Abstract: The invention relates to large area electrodes suitable for use in a fetal heart rate monitoring systems. The electrode comprises: a cutaneous gel contact (10) for sensing fetal electrocardiogram signals from a human pregnant subject; an electrical conductor (12) electrically connected to the gel contact (10) so as to define a first electrical contact region; a connector (14) in electrical contact with the electrical conductor (12) for connection to a lead wire; and a substructure (16) for attachment to a human pregnant subject. The gel contact (10) and the electrical conductor (12) are arranged on the substructure (16) to allow a contact surface (11) of the gel contact (10) to be in electrical communication with the skin of a human pregnant subject to define a second electrical contact region. The second electrical contact region has an area greater than 370 square millimeters.

Abstract: Fetal behavior is monitored by receiving ECG data from a set of electrodes attached to a material 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.

Abstract: The spatial position of a fetus within the womb is determined and monitored through analysis of ECG waveform data received from a set of electrodes that are attached to a maternal abdomen in a predetermined configuration. The waveform is compared with a set of predefined stored templates to determine the position of the fetus. An event logger may determine the number of fetal movements during a period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to large area electrodes suitable for use in a fetal heart rate monitoring systems. The electrode comprises: a cutaneous gel contact (10) for sensing fetal electrocardiogram signals from a human pregnant subject; an electrical conductor (12) electrically connected to the gel contact (10) so as to define a first electrical contact region; a connector (14) in electrical contact with the electrical conductor (12) for connection to a lead wire; and a substructure (16) for attachment to a human pregnant subject. The gel contact (10) and the electrical conductor (12) are arranged on the substructure (16) to allow a contact surface (11) of the gel contact (10) to be in electrical communication with the skin of a human pregnant subject to define a second electrical contact region. The second electrical contact region has an area greater than 370 square millimetres.

Abstract: Fetal behavior is monitored by receiving ECG data from a set of electrodes attached to a material 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.