Abstract: An example device for detecting one or more parameters of a cardiac signal is disclosed herein. The device includes one or more electrodes and sensing circuitry configured to sense a cardiac signal via the one or more electrodes. The device further includes processing circuitry configured to determine a representative signal based on the cardiac signal, the representative signal having a single polarity, and determine an end of a T-wave of the cardiac signal based on an area under the representative signal.

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: An intra-uterine monitoring system is described. The system comprises an implantable sensor device, shaped and dimensioned for implantation in a uterus for measuring conditions within the uterus to generate sensor data, and a wearable receiver device, for wirelessly receiving the sensor data generated by the implantable sensor device. In this way, real-time, in-vivo monitoring of the intra-uterine environment can be performed. The implantable sensor device can be kept small and simple, requiring only the mechanical and electronic structures necessary to take sensor measurements and transmit those to the receiver device. By making the receiver device wearable, it can be kept in relatively close proximity to the implantable sensor device on a long-term basis, making regular monitoring viable.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A computing device incorporating repetitive side channel attack (SCA) countermeasures can include a timer circuit and a capacitive delay circuit that notifies of a potential repetitive-based attack by sending an activity-detected signal that can be used to initiate an appropriate countermeasure response. Additionally, or independently, a computing device incorporating repetitive SCA countermeasures can include at least one storage unit that can store an incoming input signal, at least one comparator to compare the incoming input signal with another signal and indicate a match, and a counter that increments upon the match. When the counter reaches a specified limit, a limit-exceeded signal can be sent to notify of a potential repetitive-based attack and initiate an appropriate countermeasure response.

Abstract: A system obtains a maternal electrocardiogram (ECG) signal that represents an ECG of a pregnant mother during a first time interval. The system further obtains a mixed maternal-fetal ECG signal that represents a combined ECG of the mother and her fetus during the first time interval; processes the maternal ECG signal and the mixed maternal-fetal ECG signal to generate a fetal ECG signal that represents the ECG of the fetus during the time interval, the fetal ECG signal substantially excluding the maternal ECG signal; and provides an output based on the fetal ECG signal.

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 method of estimating fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) signals utilizes a plurality of ECG signals measured along the mother's abdomen. The method includes defining an MECG (ECG) dictionary of symbols and projecting the plurality of abdominal ECG signals onto the MECG dictionary to estimate MECG signals within each of the plurality of abdominal ECG signals. The estimated MECG signals are subtracted from the plurality of measured abdominal ECG signals to estimate FECG signals and the plurality of estimated FECG signals are combined to generate a representation of the FECG source signal.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal quality are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises determining a Kurtosis calculation of the ECG signal and determining whether the Kurtosis calculation satisfies a first threshold to continuously assess the ECG signal quality. In a second aspect, the system comprises a wireless sensor device coupled to a user via at least one electrode, wherein the wireless sensor device includes a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device stores an application which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine a Kurtosis calculation of the ECG signal and to determine whether the Kurtosis calculation satisfies a first threshold to continuously assess the ECG signal quality.

Abstract: A needle electrode fixation device is configured to secure a transdermal needle electrode to a patient. The device includes a base having a body that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are rotatable relative to each other. The first portion defines a channel configured to fit a portion of the transdermal needle electrode. The second portion defines a recess configured to fit a tip of the needle electrode. The device further includes an adhesive layer configured to affix the base to the patient.

Abstract: A method includes receiving bio-potential inputs; generating signal channels from the bio-potential inputs; pre-processing data in the signal channels; extracting R-wave peaks from the pre-processed data; removing artifacts and outliers from the R-wave peaks; generating R-wave signal channels based on the R-wave peaks in the pre-processed signal channels; selecting two or more of the R-wave signal channels; and combining the selected two or more R-wave signal channels to produce an electrical uterine monitoring signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented medical data processing method for determining a heartbeat signal describing the heartbeat of a patient in the time domain, the method comprising executing, on a processor of a computer, steps of: a) acquiring, at the processor, acceleration measurement data describing an acceleration in the time domain of an anatomical body part measured on an external surface of the anatomical body part; b) determining, by the processor, component analysis data describing a result of an independent component analysis in the time domain of the acceleration measurement data; c) acquiring, at the processor, heartbeat template data describing template shapes of heartbeat in the time domain; d) determining, by the processor and based on the component analysis data and the heartbeat template data, recurrent shape data describing a recurrence of certain signal shapes in the component analysis data; e) determining, based on the recurrent shape data, heartbeat signal data describing a

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring, controlling and/or detecting events during the removal of heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue is described. In some examples, the system detects an increase in temperature at a treatment device in contact with the skin of a subject, determines that the increase in temperature is related to a treatment event, and performs an action based on the determination. In some examples, the system shuts off the treatment device, alerts an operator, or reduces the cooling in response to a determined treatment event.

Abstract: System (10) for extracting a fetal heart rate from at least one maternal signal using a computer processor (26). The system includes sensors (12-18) attached to a patient to receive abdominal ECG signals and a recorder and digitizer (20) to record and digitize each at least one maternal signal in a maternal signal buffer (22A-22D). The system further includes a peak detector (40) to identify candidate peaks in the maternal signal buffer. The signal stacker (42) of the system stacks the divides at least one maternal signal buffer into a plurality of snippets, each snippet including one candidate peak and a spatial filter (44) to identify and attenuate a maternal QRS signal in the plurality of snippets of the maternal signal buffer, the spatial filter including at least one of principal component analysis and orthogonal projection, to produce a raw fetal ECG signal which is stored in a raw fetal ECG buffer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring health parameters of a user includes a housing including: a plurality of sensors disposed on an outer surface of the housing or within the housing for measuring a plurality of parameters of interest; a processor disposed in the housing and communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors; a coupling element on the housing for coupling the housing to an accessory; and an accessory identifier positioned on or within the housing and communicatively coupled to the processor. In some embodiments, the housing is reversibly transitionable between an uncoupled state and a coupled state with the accessory. In the coupled state, the accessory identifier senses a type of accessory and the processor activates a subset of the plurality of sensors to measure a subset of the plurality of parameters of interest. In some embodiments, the user is a pregnant female and a fetus developing in the pregnant female.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound based heart rate detection in a heart rate monitoring system is provided that includes receiving a demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal, applying a bandpass filter to the demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal to remove a direct current (DC) component and out-of-band noise, wherein a filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal is generated, rectifying the filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal to generate a rectified filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal, applying a low-pass filter to the rectified filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal to filter out undesired components to leave a resulting signal corresponding to power shift due to heart rate, detecting peaks in the resulting signal, and computing a heart rate based on the detected peaks.

Abstract: A fetal state estimation apparatus estimates a state of a fetus in a maternal body based on a potential signal indicating a change in potential on a surface of the maternal body. The fetal state estimation apparatus is configured to include a rotation angle estimation unit which estimates a rotation angle of the fetus with respect to the maternal body at every beating of a heart of the fetus based on the potential signal and a fetal movement estimation unit which estimates a fetal movement which is a movement of the fetus based on the potential signal and the estimated rotation angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to simulate intrauterine contractions to train clinicians in using a tocodynamometer (TOCO) transducer. The apparatus includes an enclosure housing an air bladder, with an opening in the enclosure for a TOCO transducer to be placed in contact with the air bladder. The air bladder is selectively pressurized by a source of compressed gas, the flow being controlled by a flow valve. A pressure release valve is provided to reduce pressure in the bladder. A pressure sensor monitors the bladder pressure, and can be used to calibrate the system to determine what bladder pressure produced a given uterine activity. The flow valve may be controlled by a software run on a processor to achieve particular uterine activity levels over a given period of time.

Abstract: An electrode device for measuring a living body is herein disclosed. The electrode device for measuring a living body signal includes a body comprising a handle part and a tongs part, the body elastically moving by an external force, an electrode part comprising needles disposed on inner surfaces of the tongs part to face each other, and a wire part connected to one end of the electrode part for a connection with a measuring device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting uterine activity uses cutaneous electrodes on the maternal abdomen to obtain electrophysiological signals that can be used to obtain fetal and maternal heart rate. The apparatus includes a first input for receiving electrical signals from the cutaneous electrodes and a second input for receiving movement signals indicative of a movement of the maternal body from a movement detector. A signal processor separates a uterine electromyogram signal from fetal and maternal heart rate signals and filters out motion artifacts from the electromyogram using the movement signals. An output presents electrohysterogram (EHG) data from the uterine electromyogram signal.

Abstract: A system automatically detects and measures ST deviation of a heart wave ECG signal in the presence of noise and accommodates baseline variation of the signal and other artifacts. A system identifies a particular point in an electrophysiological signal representing heart electrical activity using an interface for receiving an electrical signal waveform comprising an R-wave and including an ST segment portion associated with heart electrical activity of a patient over a heart beat cycle. A signal processor processes data representing the electrical signal waveform by identifying an S point and T point in the electrical signal waveform and determining a first candidate J point in the electrical signal waveform having substantially a maximum distance from a line between the identified S and T points, the distance being measured perpendicularly to the line.

Abstract: Self-correlation enhancements and implementations are described. In particular, certain examples demonstrate the use of a tracking mechanism to identify and/or confirm cardiac rate using data from iterative self-correlation performed at intervals over time. This may enable the interpolation of cardiac rate in an implantable medical device when data is insufficient, and may provide confidence in cardiac rate analyses.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to automating the task of assignment of labels to identify electrical elements (e.g., electrode contacts, electrodes including a plurality of electrode contacts, and/or non-addressable electrical elements, like wires). A system that can automate the task of assignment of labels can include an electrical element, a microelectronic circuit associated with the electrical element, and an acquisition system. The microelectronic circuit can transmit a sequence comprising a label corresponding to the electrical element. The acquisition system can assign the label corresponding to the electrical element to a recording channel after decoding the sequence.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying uterine contraction information is provided. The graphical user interface displays first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of a contraction signal. The graphical user interface also displays, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions. In specific examples of implementation, the graphical user interface is adapted for selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by the first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to tracking abdominal orientation and activity for purposes of preventing or treating conditions of pregnancy or other types of medical conditions. In certain specific embodiments, the system, device, or method relates to identifying abdominal orientation risk values, calculating and updating a cumulative risk value, comparing the cumulative risk value to a threshold, and outputting a warning when the cumulative risk value crosses the threshold.

Abstract: A method implemented through an electronic system for processing a sequential data to identify possible peak points is disclosed. The method defines a decayed threshold function and partition the sequential data into a plurality of segments by grouping each data point with surrounding data points into one of the segments. After that, a plurality of weighted segments are derived through weighting the surrounding data points by the decayed threshold function in each of the segments, and the peak points are identified through corresponding weighted segment.

Abstract: A surgical table extension comprises a frame and a connector. The frame includes a surgical table connecting portion, a first connector, and a second connector. The connector enabler is movably coupled to the frame and is configured to selectively enable one of the first connector and the second connector to be removably coupled with a support device.

Abstract: A method of recognizing at least one moving anatomical structure using ultrasound data that operates by receiving ultrasound data (100). The ultrasound data comprises Doppler shift information which provides information descriptive of the velocity of at least one anatomical structure. The ultrasound data is first divided into a series of time frames (102). A classification is then assigned to each of the time frames using the Doppler shift information (104). The at least one anatomical structure is then recognized by using the classification of each time frame (106). This is possible, because different anatomical structures produce different patterns in the Doppler shift information.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor according to the invention comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer, at least one resistor connected to the ultrasonic transducer and a housing accommodating the ultrasonic transducer and the resistor. The ultrasonic sensor is configured in such a way, that it is not or only slightly ferromagnetic, so that the ultrasonic sensor acts neutrally with respect to an external magnetic field (for example in an MRT).

Abstract: This invention provides a fully automatic method and a system for detecting and classifying cardiac arrhythmias from a surface ECG record. The method defines four relevant parameters whose values are extracted from said ECG record. Clinically relevant conclusions are assigned to various combinations of the obtained values of said parameters. The method can be employed for detecting fetal QRS complexes from abdomen ECG of a pregnant woman.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems, devices, and methods for tracking abdominal orientation and activity for purposes of preventing or treating conditions of pregnancy or other types of medical conditions. In certain specific embodiments, the system, device, or method relates to identifying abdominal orientation risk values, calculating and updating a cumulative risk value, comparing the cumulative risk value to a threshold, and outputting a warning when the cumulative risk value crosses the threshold.

Abstract: Self-correlation enhancements and implementations are described. In particular, certain examples demonstrate the use of a tracking mechanism to identify and/or confirm cardiac rate using data from iterative self-correlation performed at intervals over time. This may enable the interpolation of cardiac rate in an implantable medical device when data is insufficient, and may provide confidence in cardiac rate analyzes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for displaying on a user display device alarm-triggering events detected by the medical device based on the location of the user display device. The method comprises receiving alarm-triggering patient data from a medical device and determining the physical location of first and second user display devices. The method further comprises determining that the physical location of the first user display device is designated to have an alarm displayed, and that the physical location of the second user display device is not designated to have an alarm displayed. In response to these determinations, the content of the alarm is displayed on the first user display device.

Abstract: A device and method for improving the identification accuracy of fetal heart rate deceleration. The method includes: collecting fetal heart rate data (101); performing baseline identification on the collected fetal heart rate data (102); preprocessing the collected fetal heart rate data (103); performing deceleration identification on the preprocessed fetal heart rate data according to preset deceleration judgment standards and a fetal heart rate data baseline to obtain a decelerated data segment (104); and calculating a deceleration attribute value of each decelerated data segment (105), and outputting the decelerated data segment and calculation result (106).

Abstract: Disclosed is a bio-feedback type device for physical pain relief at childbirth, comprising a maternal-fetal monitoring module, a hand-grip pressure transducer, an electrical-stimulation wave group generator, an electrical-stimulation wave group output module and a childbirth pain-relief workstation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods (including methods of using such apparatuses) for de-noising electrocardiograms (ECGs) by manually or automatically adjusting the amount of filtering of an ECG signal. For example, real-time ECG signals may be filtered by combining in a weighted fashion an unfiltered portion of an ECG (or a filtered portion of the same ECG) with the same portion of the ECG that has been filtered. The weighting may be adjusted manually and/or automatically. Also described herein are methods for real-time filtering of ECG signals using a combination of filtering techniques including filtering to correct baseline wander, Savitzky-Golay denoising, and threshold smoothing. Multiple filtering techniques may be combined in a weighed manner to provide signal de-noising.

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 apparatus and method for automatically identifying FHR baseline includes collecting FHR data within a preset duration to obtain an FHR data sequence h?(n); preprocessing the collected FHR data sequence h?(n) to obtain a corresponding FHR data sequence during the preprocessing; selecting a primary dominant peak value according to the frequency distribution of the corresponding FHR data sequence during the preprocessing; and identifying a dynamic baseline according to the corresponding FHR data sequence and the primary dominant peak value during the preprocessing to obtain the dynamic baseline, and display and print the dynamic baseline. The apparatus and method effectively prevents the impact caused by regular change of the FHR to the baseline solution, and accurately reflects the FHR baseline and changes thereof of a fetus under different conditions.

Abstract: A method for identifying the level of fetal risk during labor comprises monitoring at least each of the concurrent clinical parameters of (a) FHR, (b) baseline FHR variability, (c) FHR accelerations, (d) FHR decelerations, and (e) maternal uterine activity, to determine whether each parameter independently exhibits at least one non-reassuring characteristic, and indicating a present level of risk to the fetus corresponding to the number of the concurrent clinical parameters (a) through (e) that are simultaneously, independently non-reassuring. An apparatus for implementing the method comprises at least one computer operative to receive input signals indicative of at least FHR and maternal uterine activity in a patient.

Abstract: A method for processing cardiac signals includes accepting, from a sensor system, a set of one or more signals, the signals including components of a desired cardiac signal and components of a substantially periodic interfering signal. The method is applicable for extraction of desired fetal cardiac signals from signals with interference from the maternal cardiac signal. A periodicity of the interfering signal is determined, and one or more iterations of mitigating an effect of a component of the signals that exhibit periodicity at the determined periodicity of the interfering signal are performed. In some examples, the method further includes determining a periodicity of the desired cardiac signal, and performing one or more iterations of enhancing an effect of a component of the signals that exhibit periodicity at the determined periodicity of the desired cardiac signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, included a method for detecting uterine contractions in a pregnant woman. The method includes sensing motion of the woman without contacting the woman, generating a signal corresponding to the sensed motion, and analyzing the signal to detect presence of labor contractions. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing healthcare environments are provided. In embodiments, a first waveform tracing for data received from one or more medical devices for a first individual is displayed. A second waveform tracing for data received from one or more medical devices for a second individual is displayed. In response to the determination to hide the first waveform tracing, only displaying the second waveform tracing.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for receiving a fetal heart rate (FHR) signal at each interval during a monitoring period, receiving a uterine pressure (UP) signal at each of the intervals to obtain a plurality of FHR-UP signal pairs, and extracting a feature value for each FHR-UP signal pair, with the feature value being extracted from a predefined alphabet of feature values.

Abstract: A method for processing cardiac signals includes accepting, from a sensor system, a set of one or more signals, the signals including components of a desired cardiac signal and components of a substantially periodic interfering signal. The method is applicable for extraction of desired fetal cardiac signals from signals with interference from the maternal cardiac signal. A periodicity of the interfering signal is determined, and one or more iterations of mitigating an effect of a component of the signals that exhibit periodicity at the determined periodicity of the interfering signal are performed. In some examples, the method further includes determining a periodicity of the desired cardiac signal, and performing one or more iterations of enhancing an effect of a component of the signals that exhibit periodicity at the determined periodicity of the desired cardiac signal.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program, the computer program comprising: a selecting module configured to select, from among a plurality of biopotential signals, a biopotential signal containing a high proportion of a maternal cardiac potential signal component; an independent component analysis module configured to perform independent component analysis on the plurality of biopotential signals; a periodic signal detection module configured to detect, as a first peak time signal, a signal having periodic peaks from a biopotential signal and to detect, as second peak time signals, one or more signals having periodic peaks among signals output from the independent component analysis module; and an output signal selecting module configured to select from among the one or more second peak time signals a signal having peak times different from those of the first peak time signal.

Abstract: A non-invasive fetal monitoring system includes a plurality of contact elements, each of the contact elements comprising a plurality of electrodes configured in a unique pattern. The plurality of contact elements are configured for attachment to an external skin surface of a pregnant female for detecting fetal and/or maternal electrical activity.

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: 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 active medical device using non-linear filtering for the reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) from an endocardial electrogram (EGM) is disclosed. The device for the reconstruction of the surface ECG comprises: a plurality of inputs, receiving a corresponding plurality of EGM signals from endocardial or epicardial electrogram (x1[n], x2[n]), each collected on a respective EGM derivation of a plurality of EGM derivations, and at least one output delivering a reconstructed surface ECG electrocardiogram signal (y[n]), related to an ECG derivation, and a non-linear digital filter (12?, 12?, 14) with a transfer function that determines the reconstructed ECG signal based on said plurality of input EGM signals. The non-linear digital filter includes a Volterra filter type (12, 12?, 12?) whose transfer function includes a linear term (h1) and at least one quadratic (h2) and/or cubic (h3) term(s).

Abstract: A system and method of documentation and categorization of medical obstetrics data, such as fetal heart rate characteristics. The automatic categorization of fetal heart rate characteristics into three categories, Category I—strongly predictive of normal fetal acid-base balance, Category II—not predictive of abnormal fetal acid-base balance and Category III—predictive of abnormal fetal acid-base balance.