Abstract: In the present invention, a system and associated method is provided for monitoring fetal vital parameters. The system includes a base unit, a monitoring hub including a digital signal processor/controller and operably connected to the base unit by a single channel digital signal protocol cable, e.g., a USB cable, and a number of fetal monitoring sensors operably connected to the monitoring hub. The controller processes the signals from the sensors into a single USB protocol which can be sent along a single cable to the base unit. The USB cable allows power to be supplied to the hub in order to charge a battery used to operate the hub and the sensors connected to the hub when disconnected from the base unit to allow the patient using the hub to move freely about the base unit, with all sensor signals from the hub being wirelessly transmitted to the base unit.

Abstract: In the present invention, a system and associated method is provided for monitoring fetal vital parameters. The system includes a base unit, a monitoring hub including a digital signal processor/controller and operably connected to the base unit by a single channel digital signal protocol cable, e.g., a USB cable, and a number of fetal monitoring sensors operably connected to the monitoring hub. The controller processes the signals from the sensors into a single USB protocol which can be sent along a single cable to the base unit. The USB cable allows power to be supplied to the hub in order to charge a battery used to operate the hub and the sensors connected to the hub when disconnected from the base unit to allow the patient using the hub to move freely about the base unit, with all sensor signals from the hub being wirelessly transmitted to the base unit.

Abstract: A fetal pulse monitor includes an ultrasound crystal. An ultrasound controller is electrically connected to the ultrasound crystal and operates the ultrasound crystal to produce ultrasound signals and receive reflected ultrasound signals. A wireless transmitter is electrically connected to the ultrasound controller. A biocompatible housing at least partially surrounds the ultrasound crystal, ultrasound controller, and the wireless transmitter. A system for monitoring fetal heart rate includes a fetal pulse monitor configured for insertion into a womb of a patient and for attachment to a fetus within the womb. The fetal pulse monitor includes an ultrasound crystal, an ultrasound controller electrically connected to the ultrasound crystal, and a wireless transmitter electrically connected to the ultrasound controller. A patient monitoring device is external to the womb and includes a wireless receiver and a processor that detects instantaneous fetal heart rate from the received ultrasound signal.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring a fetal heart rate includes a reference fetal heart rate detected across an ultrasound depth zone of sensitivity. The ultrasound depth zone of sensitivity is scanned in overlapping increments of a first depth. An average fetal heart rate detected for each overlapping increment is tested for a coincidence with the reference fetal heart rate. Overlapping increments with the coincidence and a maximized signal quality rate are identified. An ultrasound depth increment of a second depth is selected representing the selected adjacent increments. Fetal heart rate is determined from an ultrasound signal returned from a scan depth of the second depth.

Abstract: An abdominal sonar includes an ultrasound transducer array with a plurality of ultrasound transducers. The abdominal sonar further includes at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor individually operates the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor receives reflected ultrasound signals back from each of the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer and converts the received reflected ultrasound signals into an audio signal. A system for monitoring a pregnancy includes an ultrasound transducer array and at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the ultrasound transducer array and the at least one ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: A fetal monitoring device includes a piezofilm sheet, a first electrode, and a second electrode. A controller is operably connected to the piezofilm sheet, first electrode, and second electrode and receives a biopotential and a piezofilm signal. The controller derives at least one of a maternal heart rate and a uterine activity for the biopotential and derives at least one of a fetal heart rate and fetal motion detection from the piezofilm signal. The controller derives an index of fetal health and operate an indicator to present the derived index of fetal health.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring a fetal heart rate includes a reference fetal heart rate detected across an ultrasound depth zone of sensitivity. The ultrasound depth zone of sensitivity is scanned in overlapping increments of a first depth. An average fetal heart rate detected for each overlapping increment is tested for a coincidence with the reference fetal heart rate. Overlapping increments with the coincidence and a maximized signal quality rate are identified. An ultrasound depth increment of a second depth is selected representing the selected adjacent increments. Fetal heart rate is determined from an ultrasound signal returned from a scan depth of the second depth.

Abstract: A fetal monitoring device includes a piezofilm sheet, a first electrode, and a second electrode. A controller is operably connected to the piezofilm sheet, first electrode, and second electrode and receives a biopotential and a piezofilm signal. The controller derives at least one of a maternal heart rate and a uterine activity for the biopotential and derives at least one of a fetal heart rate and fetal motion detection from the piezofilm signal. The controller derives an index of fetal health and operate an indicator to present the derived index of fetal health.

Abstract: An approximate distance between an ultrasonic transducer and a fetal heart is determined. A range of distances from the ultrasonic transducer is sensed using the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the range has a minimum distance based upon the approximate distance. A heart rate of the fetal heart is monitored using ultrasonic echo signals from the range.

Abstract: A system and associated method include an AECG/PCG sensor configured to generate an AECG/PCG signal in response to a monitored fetal heart. The system also includes an US transducer configured to generate an US signal in response to the monitored fetal heart. The system also includes a computer configured to assess the quality of the AECG/PCG signal, and compare the assessed quality of the AECG/PCG signal with a selectable threshold value. The computer is also configured to disable the US transducer and process the AECG/PCG signal to provide a fetal heart rate estimate as long as the assessed quality of the AEC/PCG signal exceeds the selectable threshold value. The computer is also configured to enable the US transducer and process the US signal to provide a fetal heart rate estimate only if the assessed quality of the AEC/PCG signal is equal to or less than the selectable threshold value.

Abstract: A fetal heart signal contribution is determined from an ultra sound signal by suppressing any maternal contribution from the ultrasound signal. The fetal heart signal contribution is canceled or subtracted from the ultrasound signal. An alarm is outputted based upon a result of the cancellation.

Abstract: A method of measuring the instantaneous period of a quasi-periodic signal includes determining an initial template, performing a cross-correlation between the initial template and a quasi-periodic signal and selecting portions of the signal that correspond to the peaks of the correlation signal. The selected portions are then averaged and another cross correlation is performed between the quasi-periodic signal and a template including the averaged selected portions. The instantaneous period is then measured from the correlation signal.

Abstract: A fetal heart signal contribution is determined from an ultra sound signal by suppressing any maternal contribution from the ultrasound signal. The fetal heart signal contribution is canceled or subtracted from the ultrasound signal. An alarm is outputted based upon a result of the cancellation.

Abstract: An approximate distance between an ultrasonic transducer and a fetal heart is determined. A range of distances from the ultrasonic transducer is sensed using the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the range has a minimum distance based upon the approximate distance. A heart rate of the fetal heart is monitored using ultrasonic echo signals from the range.

Abstract: A method of operating an ultrasound signal generator includes generating a stimulus signal and receiving a returned signal. The Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the returned signal is computed. The SNR is compared to an optimal SNR range. A control signal is generated to control the transmission power of the stimulus signal. A new stimulus signal is generated at the new transmission power. A device for collecting and analyzing a quasi-periodic signal includes a SNR calculator that computes the SNR of a returned signal. A signal analysis selector selects between a first and a second signal analysis technique. A transmission power controller compares the computed SNR with an optimal SNR range for the selected technique and modifies the transmission power as a result of this comparison.

Abstract: An abdominal sonar includes an ultrasound transducer array with a plurality of ultrasound transducers. The abdominal sonar further includes at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor individually operates the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor receives reflected ultrasound signals back from each of the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer and converts the received reflected ultrasound signals into an audio signal. A system for monitoring a pregnancy includes an ultrasound transducer array and at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the ultrasound transducer array and the at least one ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: A fetal pulse monitor includes an ultrasound crystal. An ultrasound controller is electrically connected to the ultrasound crystal and operates the ultrasound crystal to produce ultrasound signals and receive reflected ultrasound signals. A wireless transmitter is electrically connected to the ultrasound controller. A biocompatible housing at least partially surrounds the ultrasound crystal, ultrasound controller, and the wireless transmitter. A system for monitoring fetal heart rate includes a fetal pulse monitor configured for insertion into a womb of a patient and for attachment to a fetus within the womb. The fetal pulse monitor includes an ultrasound crystal, an ultrasound controller electrically connected to the ultrasound crystal, and a wireless transmitter electrically connected to the ultrasound controller. A patient monitoring device is external to the womb and includes a wireless receiver and a processor that detects instantaneous fetal heart rate from the received ultrasound signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for graphical display of medical information is provided. The apparatus comprises a memory configured to store medical information indicative of multiple categories, each category of medical information representing information about plurality of physiological variables, a processing system configured to determine a data value for at least one physiological variable in each of the category of medical information and further configured for generating a color code using the data values and a display system for displaying a color coded image comprising multiple sections, each section displaying color codes associated with a single physiological variable.

Abstract: A system and associated method include an AECG/PCG sensor configured to generate an AECG/PCG signal in response to a monitored fetal heart. The system also includes an US transducer configured to generate an US signal in response to the monitored fetal heart. The system also includes a computer configured to assess the quality of the AECG/PCG signal, and compare the assessed quality of the AECG/PCG signal with a selectable threshold value. The computer is also configured to disable the US transducer and process the AECG/PCG signal to provide a fetal heart rate estimate as long as the assessed quality of the AEC/PCG signal exceeds the selectable threshold value. The computer is also configured to enable the US transducer and process the US signal to provide a fetal heart rate estimate only if the assessed quality of the AEC/PCG signal is equal to or less than the selectable threshold value.

Abstract: A system for measuring the instantaneous period of a quasi-periodic signal includes a transducer that receives a quasi-periodic signal. A correlation computer cross correlates a template with the received quasi-periodic signal to produce a correlation signal. A peak detector identifies peaks of the correlation signal that exceed a threshold. A template creator averages the portions of the quasi-periodic signal that correspond to the identified peaks in the correlation signal to create a new template. A method of measuring the instantaneous period of a quasi-periodic signal includes determining an initial template, performing a cross-correlation between the initial template and a quasi-periodic signal and selecting portions of the signal that correspond to the peaks of the correlation signal. The selected portions are then averaged and another cross correlation is performed between the quasi-periodic signal and a template including the averaged selected portions.