Abstract: An infant care station is described herein that can include a heating component of a microenvironment of the infant care station, at least one temperature measuring device, and a processor. The processor can calculate a baseline temperature of the heating component using the at least one temperature measuring device and monitor the heating component using the at least one temperature measuring device to determine one or more operating characteristics. The processor can also detect, based at least in part on the baseline temperature, that the one or more operating characteristics exceed a predetermined threshold and generate a response that results in a correction of the temperature maintained by the heating component.

Abstract: A bassinette for a neonatal care system includes a frame structure with at least one vertical a support member extending downward from a top support member. A sling is suspended from the top support member and configured to support a neonate. The sling comprises a pressure-diffusing netting material extending from a top end to a bottom end between opposing lateral sides. A heating coil may be configured to heat the neonate supported on the sling, and a sling controller may be secured to the frame and configured to selectively control the heating coil to heat the neonate. Additionally, a plurality of stretchable conductive electrodes may extend through the pressure-diffusing netting material and may be configured to acquire physiological signals from the neonate. The stretchable conductive electrodes may be configured to communicate the physiological signals from the plurality of conductive electrodes to a sling controller.

Abstract: A neonatal care system includes a platform for supporting an infant, a plurality of part tags each embedded in a part within the neonatal care device, and at least one part reader. Each of the plurality of part tags is configured to transmit a part identifier and the at least one part reader is configured to receive the part identifiers transmitted from the plurality of the part tags. A controller is configured to store at least one part identifier catalog, receive the part identifiers from the part reader, and compare the part identifiers generated by the plurality of part tags to the at least one part identifier catalog. If any of the received part identifiers does not match the at least one part identifier catalog, then an alert is generated.

Abstract: A neonatal care system includes a platform for supporting an infant, at least one load cell configured to sense a weight of the infant supported on the platform, and an inclinometer configured to measure an angle of the platform. A controller is configured to determine an infant weight based on the sensed weight and the measured angle of the platform.

Abstract: An infant treatment device includes a light source and a blanket. When the treatment device is configured to warm an infant, a laser diode is used to provide warming light. The warming light passes along an optic cable having a plurality of optic fibers each having a fiber ending. The fiber endings are spaced along is diffuser. The diffuser is designed to spread the warming light to create multiple heating zones. A control circuit is used to control the operation of the laser diode. The treatment device is designed such that the light source and blanket can be separated and connected when desired such that the light source can be used with more than one blanket. In another embodiment, the light source can include a diode design for use in phototherapy treatment.

Abstract: A multi-sensor patch for simultaneous abdominal monitoring of maternal and fetal physiological data includes a multi-layer flexible substrate with a center region and a plurality of electrode regions. A conductive layer of the flexile substrate provides an electrical connection between each of the plurality of electrode regions and the center region. A plurality of electrodes are formed into the flexible substrate. At least one mechanical motion sensor is connected to the multi-layer flexible substrate. A module unit is connected to the conductive layer at the center region. The module unit includes a controller configured to receive biopotential physiological data from the plurality of electrodes and mechanical sensor data from the at least one auxiliary sensor. The controller calculates at least fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate, and uterine activity from the biopotential physiological data and from the mechanical sensor data.

Abstract: An infant warming system includes a bassinet having a platform configured to support an infant, at least one wireless physiological sensor configured to measure a physiological parameter from the infant and transmit physiological parameter data, and at least two radio frequency identification (RFID) readers. The RFID readers are configured to communicate with the at least one wireless physiological sensor to facilitate pairing therewith so as to enable receipt of the physiological parameter data from the wireless physiological sensors at the infant warmer system. The RFID readers each have a range distance that is less than a length of the platform and are positioned such that the wireless physiological sensor is in the range distance of at least one of the at least two RFID readers from any location on the platform.

Abstract: A multi-sensor patch for simultaneous abdominal monitoring of maternal and fetal physiological data includes a multi-layer flexible substrate. The multi-layer flexible substrate includes a center region and a plurality of electrode regions. An electrode of the plurality of electrodes is located in each of the electrode regions. At least one auxiliary sensor which may be an optical sensor. A module unit is connected to the conductive layer at the center region. The module unit is configured to receive biopotential physiological data from the plurality of electrodes and photosignal data from the optical sensor. The module unit calculates at least fetal heart rate (fHR), maternal heart rate (mHR), and uterine activity (UA) from the biopotential physiological data and fHR, mHR, and SpO2 from the photosignal data.

Abstract: A neonatal care system includes a platform for supporting an infant, at least one load cell configured to sense a weight of the infant supported on the platform, and an inclinometer configured to measure an angle of the platform. A controller is configured to determine an infant weight based on the sensed weight and the measured angle of the platform.

Abstract: A T-piece for controlling ventilation support to a patient includes a t-shaped body having a gas source connection port configured to receive a gas flow from a gas source, an interface connection port configured to connect to a patient interface device, and a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) control port. A PEEP adjuster path is connected to the PEEP control port, the PEEP adjuster path having a bypass hole to allow gas to exit the T-piece and configured such that when the bypass hole is closed substantially all gas received at the gas source connection port is directed to the patient, and when the bypass hole is open, at least a portion of the gas received at the gas source connection port exits through the bypass hole to maintain PEEP to the patient. The T-piece is configured such that the bypass hole can be closed to deliver peak inspiratory pressure (PIP).

Abstract: A phototherapy device includes a blanket for use in phototherapy treatment that integrates a light emitting panel and a light receiver such that the amount of treatment light delivered to the infant patient can be determined. The light emitting panel includes a plurality of woven optical fibers that each receive treatment light from a light source. A second plurality of receiving optical fibers are woven into the light emitting panel. A reflective element is positioned on the light emitting panel to reflect a portion of the therapy light into the light receiver. A light detector determines the intensity of the treatment light being delivered to the infant patient during phototherapy.

Abstract: A method of controlling an infant care device includes identifying, via a location tracking system, a device location of the infant care device within a care facility by locating a device location tag on the infant care device, and also identifying any local clinician tags worn by a clinician within a predetermined area around the device location. The local clinician tags are compared to a list of authorized clinician tags to identify whether at least one local authorized clinician tag is within the predetermined area around the infant care device. User input is received at a user interface associated with the infant care device to modify operation of the infant care device. Operation of the infant care device is modified based on the user input only if at least one local authorized clinician tag is within the predetermined area around the infant care device at the time of receiving the user input.

Abstract: The disclosed sensor assembly may be used in a patient monitoring system to monitor one or more physiological parameters of a patient. The sensor assembly may include a substrate and one or more electrodes, which may include a lattice structure to limit a contact area between the one or more electrodes and skin of the patient. The sensor assembly may include connectors or connector assemblies that facilitate connection between the one or more electrodes and a data acquisition unit. The sensor assembly may be especially useful for patients with sensitive skin, such as infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Abstract: A mattress for supporting a head and body of a patient is disclosed. The mattress includes an integrated deformable head support that can be molded into a desired shape to support the head of the infant. The deformable head support retains the desired shape after molding. The head support is received upon and extends above a top surface of a base layer of the mattress. The base layer and head support are formed from different materials where the material used to form the head support can be deformed and retains the desired shape. The head support has a U-shape or semi-ring shape to surround the top and sides of the head of an infant patient when the infant patient is positioned on the mattress. A cover layer is positioned over both the base layer and the head support.

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 noninvasive remote parameter sensor and sensing method is provided that is particularly suited for the remote monitoring of skin temperature. The sensor and sensing method utilize luminescence-based sensors that are non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin. The sensor preferably utilizes one or more types of fluorophores that are embedded in a soft hydrogel. The sensor is illuminated with excitation light, and temperature is monitored by detecting and analyzing the emission light from the fluorophores. Because a soft hydrogel is used, the sensor can be gently wiped off the skin at the conclusion of temperature measurements.

Abstract: An infant care system includes an infant care tower configured to receive at least one medical device. A processor operates the infant care tower and the at least one medical device. A bassinet is configured to receive an infant patient within a microenvironment defined and maintained by the bassinet. Upon connection of the bassinet to the infant care tower, the processor operates to control both the infant care tower and the bassinet in maintain the microenvironment of the bassinet. In a method of treating an infant patient, an infant patient is provided in a microenvironment defined and maintained by a bassinet. The bassinet is communicatively connected to the care tower and a first processor of the infant care tower operates the bassinet to maintain the microenvironment to provide medical care to the infant patient with the at least one medical device of the infant care tower.

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.