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 method and system for atrial fibrillation analysis, characterization, and mapping is disclosed. A finite element model (FEM) representing a physical structure of a heart is generated. Electrogram data can be sensed at various locations in the heart using an electrophysiology catheter, and the electrogram data is mapped to the elements of the FEM. Function parameters, which measure some characteristics of AF arrhythmia, are then simultaneously calculated for all of the elements of the FEM based on the electrogram data mapped to the elements of the FEM. An artificial neural network (ANN) can be used to calculate the function parameters.

Abstract: Cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation methods and systems provide monitoring, defibrillation and/or pacing therapies. A signal processor receives a plurality of composite signals associated with a plurality of sources, separates a signal using a source separation algorithm, and identifies a cardiac signal using a selected vector. The signal processor may iteratively separate signals from the plurality of composite signals until the cardiac signal is identified. The selected vector may be updated if desired or necessary. A method of signal separation involves detecting a plurality of composite signals at a plurality of locations, separating a signal using source separation, and selecting a vector that provides a cardiac signal. The separation may include a principal component analysis and/or an independent component analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fetus electrocardiogram signal measuring method and its device that are capable of measuring the electrocardiogram signals of a fetus even during fetus movements and even at a gestational age during which the measurement current is weak, without the need for reattaching the electrodes and providing any shield room, even if the mother is a hospitalized or ambulant pregnant woman. The fetus electrocardiogram signal measuring device includes (1) high input impedance electrodes, (2) region-variable ground electrodes, and (3) a differential amplifier circuit and an optimization computing section.

Abstract: One or more fetal heart component signals in one example are separated from heart signal information obtained from a pregnant female based on singular value decomposition.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the blood oxygen level of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having an interior surface of non-reflective material substantially surrounding an interior. A cooperating light source and detector are operatively positioned proximate the interior surface so as to emit and receive light projected within the interior of the housing. A material more conducive to light transmission, reflectance, or a combination thereof—as compared to the interior surface material—is positioned proximate the light source and/or detector.

Abstract: A fetal heart rate monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting a signal to a patient and for receiving a reflected heart beat monitoring signal. A monitoring system coupled to the ultrasonic transducer processes the heart beat monitoring signal and produces heart beat information representative of the monitored heart rate. A mechanical or electronic steering system coupled to the ultrasonic transducer controls the location of the signal transmitted to the patent and/or the location of the received heart beat monitoring signal. A control system coupled to the monitor and steering system controls the steering system as a function of the heart beat monitoring signal to optimize the quality of the heart beat information in the received heart beat monitoring signals.

Abstract: There is provided a non-linear signal separation method using the non-linear state space projection method capable of separating an effective non-linear signal even if the S/N ratio is low by performing the time domain high speed non-linear state space projection when a signal is a multi-channel signal and has a periodicity. In the non-linear signal separation method using the non-linear state space projection method, an original signal having a complex signal which is a multi-channel and cyclic signal measured from one phenomenon is processed by using the time domain high-speed non-linear state space projection method so as to estimate a noise in the original signal and subtract the estimated noise from the original signal, thereby separating the signal to be measured in the original signal as a non-linear signal even when the S/N ratio is low.

Abstract: A method for fetal monitoring includes acquiring electrical signals from a set of electrodes, for example, a set of surface electrodes applied to a maternal abdominal region. The electrical signals are analyzed, including by performing a morphological analysis of fetal electrocardiogram signals. A clinical indicator is then determined from a result of performing the morphological analysis.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium storing a program element for execution by a computer to implement a user interface. The user interface conveys fetal condition information to a user. The user interface has a first section showing one or more vital signs of a fetus. The first section includes at least one tracing associated with a vital sign of the fetus and a marker to visually highlight an area of the tracing corresponding to an event of interest. The first section also has a control component that can be activated by the user to deliver additional information about the event of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a fetal heartbeat includes circuitry to convert acoustic energy representative principally of a maternal heartbeat into a first electrical signal and circuitry to convert acoustic energy representative of a maternal heartbeat and a fetal heartbeat into a second electrical signal. The apparatus also includes circuitry to process the first and second electrical to provide an electrical signal principally representative of the fetal heartbeat and circuitry to determine pitch periods of the signal principally representative of the fetal heart beat.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a maternal-fetal monitoring system to monitor the physiological properties of both a maternal patient and a fetus. A series of ECG electrodes are placed across the maternal patient's abdomen and receives ECG input waveforms across sixteen separate channels. The sixteen channels of information are processed using an ICA algorithm to generate a series of ICA output waveforms and a transfer matrix. Following the current epoch, the transfer matrix is applied to the input waveforms on a continuous basis. The conditioned input waveforms are displayed immediately following the first epoch and prior to the expiration of a subsequent epoch. The transfer matrix for the second epoch is combined with the transfer matrix for the first epoch to generate an updated transfer matrix. Various filtering operations on the transfer matrix coefficients may be used to find the updated transfer matrix before the end of the current epoch.

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 provides a method and apparatus for monitoring the fetal condition in an objective, quantitative, and non-invasive manner by enabling continuous and highly specific data collection during pre-natal development and the intra-partum period. In an embodiment, monitoring the fetal condition comprises monitoring a fetal heart rate, a fetal heart rate variability, and/or the fetal heart vector orientation of a fetus in a pregnant mother. Automated signal processing techniques are applied to a multiplicity of transducers to select an optimum signal vector to monitor at least one of a fetal heart rate, a fetal heart rate variability, and/or the fetal heart vector orientation of a fetus in a pregnant mother.

Abstract: A method of utilizing maternal-fetal monitoring system to monitor the physiological properties of both a maternal patient and a fetus. The method places a series of ECG electrodes across the maternal patient's abdomen and receives ECG input waveforms across a plurality of separate channels. The method processes the channels using an ICA algorithm to generate a series of ICA output waveforms. The ICA output waveforms are analyzed for each individual epoch to determine which of the channels include a maternal signal or a fetal signal source. Based upon the determination of which channel includes the fetal and maternal signals, further processing is carried out on the ICA output waveform on the identified channel to obtain physiological properties for the patient and the fetus. During the next epoch, the same signal processing occurs, such that the system can identify the fetal and maternal signals even as the fetal and maternal jump channels from one epoch to another.

Abstract: A method of acoustic monitoring includes transducing acoustic energy from a first acoustic transducer attached to a first location on a patient the acoustic energy from the first transducer, comprising desired acoustic energy to be monitored and interfering acoustic energy and transducing acoustic energy from a second acoustic transducer, attached to a second, different location on a patient, the acoustic energy from the second transducer, comprising desired acoustic energy to be monitored and interfering acoustic energy. The method also includes converting the acoustic energy sensed at the first and second locations into first and second electrical signals and processing the first and second electrical signals to digitally remove interfering acoustic energy present in the second signal to provide an electrical signal representative of the acoustic signal that is being monitored.

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: A method, system, and computer program product are provide for, among other things, quantitative analysis of heart rate characteristics from fetal heart rate and cardiotocogram monitors that gives information about the well-being of the fetus and the risk of poor fetal outcome. The method comprises (a) continuously measuring fetal heart rate and cardiotocographic characteristics and (b) identifying at least one characteristic abnormality in the heart rate characteristics that is associated with fetal distress. Benefits are appreciated by the fetus and the mother and during the antepartum and intrapartum periods.

Abstract: Electronic fetal monitoring assessment tools and methods of use thereof. The electronic fetal monitoring assessment tools are useable in connection with Electronic Fetal Monitoring (“EFM”) systems, such as those EFM systems currently used by and available to medical professionals. Electronic fetal monitoring assessment tools may include an electronic measurement tool for one or more of assessing the baseline FHR, assessing variability of the baseline FHR, assessing decelerations in the FHR and/or assessing acceleration in the FHR. Electronic measurement tools may be used as electronically generated visual tools to assess one or more fetal heart rate patterns.

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: This invention provides a novel technique separating two mixed signals. The method is particularly useful for fetal electrocardiogram estimation. A maternal electrocardiogram signal recorded at the thorax area is nonlinearly mapped onto an electrocardiogram signal recorded at the abdomen using polynomial networks. The fetal electrocardiogram component is then estimated by subtracting the nonlinearly mapped maternal electrocardiogram signal from the abdominal electrocardiogram signal.

Abstract: A medical signal processing system for processing medical signal data obtained from a human or animal heart, and displaying a graphical representation of the processed data for providing an alert, the system including: a medical signal data input for inputting one or more ECG signals; a graphical display; and a signal processor coupled to said data input and to said display; and wherein said signal processor is configured to: input medical signal data associated with a spatial position in or on said organ; perform at least one measurement relating to said organ using said medical signal data to provide measurement data; determine from said measurement data whether said measurement is normal or abnormal; and display, on a graphical representation of said heart, a graphical indication of an abnormality at said spatial position on a wall of said heart with which said signal data is associated responsive an abnormal to said determination.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a fetal heart-beat is able to extract one or more fetal electrocardiograms (fECGs) from a composite signal detected at the abdomen of a pregnant woman. The apparatus includes specific low-noise components: a plurality of low-noise electrodes (1-3, R) for placement on the abdomen during pregnancy and a low-noise signal recording and processing means (34). Screened leads are also used, as required. Signals indicative of voltages developed between each abdominal electrode (1-3) and a reference electrode (R) are recorded in a plurality of signal channels. Data within each channel is digitised and processed in order to generate a plurality of separated source signals, at least one of which relates to the fECG of a single fetus. Single-channel fECGs may be reconstructed using the source signals identified as belonging to the same fetus.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] An electrocardiogram signal processing method for extracting a fetus electrocardiogram signal included in a biopotential signal detected from an electrode attached to a mother's body.

Abstract: A blind adaptive filter of an apparatus in an example employs a frequency domain ECG-feature vector and a time domain ECG feature vector with a maternal ECG parameter estimate and a set of candidate fetal ECG estimates that satisfy the frequency domain ECG-feature-vector, to extract a fetal ECG signal estimate from raw abdominal ECG signals of a pregnant female. The fetal ECG signal estimate satisfies the frequency domain ECG feature-vector and the time domain ECG feature vector.

Abstract: A biomagnetic field measuring apparatus for performing (1) processes for removing a magnetic field waveform generated by a maternal heart from a waveform of a biomagnetic field measured, (2) processes for obtaining a template waveform of a magnetic field waveform generated by the fetal heart from a waveform, from which the magnetic field waveform generated by the maternal heart has been removed, (3) processes for obtaining a waveform of a cross correlation coefficient between the waveform, from which the magnetic field waveform generated by the mother's hears was removed, and the template waveform, and (4) a process for detecting peaks from a waveform of the cross correlation coefficient, and displaying times of appearance of the detected peaks on a display unit.

Abstract: A fetal heart rate electrode assembly, a connector for use therewith and a cable assembly including a housing assembly configured for engagement with the connector. The electrode assembly includes a drive knob configured and located for selective extension of a fetal scalp electrode beyond a distal end thereof. The connector comprises a rotationally omnidirectional contact assembly disposed within a dielectric housing including an annular groove on the exterior thereof The housing assembly includes longitudinally resiliently biased pin contacts for end face contact with the contacts of the connector disposed within an inner housing of the housing assembly having an O-ring and an annular retention element positioned to respectively wipe the exterior of the connector housing and grasp the connector housing at the annular groove when the connector is inserted thereinto. A system and methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A maternal-fetal monitoring system for use during all stages of pregnancy, including antepartum and intrapartum stages. The maternal-fetal monitoring system of the subject invention comprises (1) a set of sensors; (2) an amplifying/filtering means; (3) a computing means; and (4) a graphical user interface. Accurate clinical data, which can be extracted and provided to the user in real-time using the system of the invention, include without limitation, maternal electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, maternal uterine activity signals (EHG), maternal heart rate, fetal ECG signals, and fetal heart rate. In a preferred embodiment, the maternal-fetal monitoring system of the invention includes an intelligence means, such as a neural network system, to analyze and interpret clinical data for use in clinical diagnosis antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum, as well as delivery strategy.

Abstract: A cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation method and systems provide monitoring, defibrillation and/or pacing therapies, including systems detecting and/or treating cardiac arrhythmia. A system includes a housing coupled to a plurality of electrodes configured for subcutaneous non-intrathoracic sensing. A signal processor receives a plurality of composite signals associated with a plurality of sources, separates a signal from the plurality of composite signals using blind source separation, and identifies a cardiac signal. The signal processor may iteratively separate signals from the plurality of composite signals until the cardiac signal is identified. A method of signal separation includes detecting a plurality of composite signals at a plurality of locations, separating a signal using blind source separation, and identifying a cardiac signal. The separation may include a principal component analysis and/or an independent component analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a fetus to assess a degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition is provided. A signal indicative of a fetal heart is processed to derive a degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition. The data indicative of the degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition indicates a likelihood that the condition of the fetus belongs to a class in a group of classes, where each class in the group of classes is associated with a pre-defined fetal condition. Data indicative of the degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition is then released. In one example, a neural network is used to obtain data indicating the likelihood that the condition of the fetus belongs to a class in the group of classes.

Abstract: A system and apparatus implementing a graphical user interface for displaying heart rate information is provided. The graphical user interface displays, in a first viewing window, a first tracing indicative of a heart rate signal. The graphical user interface displays a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing. In a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, the graphical user interface displays a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing. In a specific implementation, the control includes a selection box having a transparent portion superposed upon the first viewing window. The portion of the first tracing viewable through the transparent portion corresponds to the second tracing. The control allows the user to displace and modify the size of the selection box to select a portion of the first tracing.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a fetal heart-beat is able to extract one or more fetal electrocardiograms (fECGs) from a composite signal detected at the abdomen of a pregnant woman. The apparatus includes specific low-noise components; a plurality of low-noise electrodes (1-3, R) for placement on the abdomen during pregnancy and a low-noise signal recording and processing means (34). Screened leads are also used, as required. Signals indicative of voltages developed between each abdominal electrode (1-3) and a reference electrode (R) are recorded in a plurality of signal channels. Data within each channel is digitized and processed in order to generate a plurality of separated source signals, at least one of which relates to the fECG of a single fetus. Single-channel fECGs may be reconstructed using the source signals identified as belonging to the same fetus.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and apparatus for recording and analyzing uterine electrical activity, or electromyography (EMG), from the surface of the abdomen, vagina, or cervix of a patient for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus in pregnant and non-pregnant women, as well as for monitoring maternal and fetal ECG and fetal brain activity. The method and apparatus described include methods for the systematic detection, analysis, characterization and communication of information about electrical signals recorded from the abdominal/vaginal/cervical surface. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing the electrical data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize their uterine, abdominal, and cardiac muscle activity, as well as cardiac and brain activity of the fetus simultaneously or separately.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting a heart rate signal to identify heart rate feature events are provided. A heart rate signal including a sequence of sample points is received. The heart rate signal is processed to generate a set of segments. Each segment is formed by enclosing a portion of the heart rate signal in a respective bounded area commencing at a start sample point and terminating at an end sample point of the heart rate signal. The sample points between the start sample point and end sample point lie within the bounded area. The set of segments are then processed to generate a plurality of sections, each section being indicative of a heart rate feature. The heart rate feature is selected from the set consisting of an acceleration event, a deceleration event and a baseline event. A signal indicative of the plurality of sections is then released.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fetal heart and maternal heart and uterine monitoring is provided which acquire biopotential waveforms indicative of the mother's heart beat from sensors located at or near the mother's chest, and waveforms indicative of the combined maternal and fetal heart beats from abdominal sensors located on the mother's abdomen, lower back, or both. The signals from the abdominal sensors are divided into a plurality of channels. An adaptive signal processing filter (ASPF) algorithm or other suitable algorithm is then used to cancel the estimated maternal waveform from each channel derived from the abdominal sensors. The system then selects from the resulting waveforms at least one waveform to serve as the reference fetal waveform. The reference waveform is then processed against the other abdominal waveforms preferably using the ASPF algorithm again to form an enhanced fetal signal that is a representation of the fetus's biopotential electrocardiogram (EKGf).

Abstract: A method of detecting heart beat coincidence includes receiving first and second signals from first and second heart beat sources. The method further includes detecting first heart beat occurrences on the first signal, each first heart beat occurrence having a respective time associated therewith and detecting second heart beat occurrences on the second signal, each second heart beat occurrence having a respective time associated therewith. The method further includes comparing the times of the first and second heart beat occurrences to detect coincidence.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing signal noise in a fetal ECG signal obtained by using a unipolar ECG lead configuration 1, 3 thereby detecting a predominant T wave vector and avoiding changes in ECG waveform shape due to fetal rotation through the birth canal. The ECG signal is transmitted by means of a first signalling link 5 to the signal noise reducing components which include a conventional analogue filter 7, a digital high pass filter 9 for attenuating low frequencies and with a predetermined cut-off frequency, the cut-off frequency being essentially between 0.2 and 1.7 Hz, and a further digital filter 11. The filtered ECT signal is arranged as output signal from the electrical arrangement by means of a second signalling link 13.

Abstract: A fetal-pulse-wave-velocity-related-information obtaining apparatus, including a heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device at least a portion of which is adapted to be worn on at least one of a fetus and a mother so as to detect a heartbeat-synchronous signal produced from a proximal portion of the fetus; a pulse-wave detecting device which detects a pulse wave from a distal portion of the fetus that is located on a distal side of the proximal portion of the fetus; and a pulse-wave-velocity-related-information obtaining device for iteratively obtaining, based on the heartbeat-synchronous signal detected by the heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device and the pulse wave detected by the pulse-wave detecting device, respective sets of pulse-wave-velocity-related information each of which is related to a velocity at which the pulse wave propagates in the fetus.

Abstract: A system and apparatus implementing a graphical user interface for displaying heart rate information is provided. The graphical user interface displays, in a first viewing window, a first tracing indicative of a heart rate signal. The graphical user interface displays a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing. In a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, the graphical user interface displays a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing. In a specific implementation, the control includes a selection box having a transparent portion superposed upon the first viewing window. The portion of the first tracing viewable through the transparent portion corresponds to the second tracing. The control allows the user to displace and modify the size of the selection box to select a portion of the first tracing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a fetus to assess a degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition is provided. A signal indicative of a fetal heart is processed to derive a degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition. The data indicative of the degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition indicates a likelihood that the condition of the fetus belongs to a class in a group of classes, where each class in the group of classes is associated with a pre-defined fetal condition. Data indicative of the degree of risk of developing a permanent neurological condition is then released. In one example, a neural network is used to obtain data indicating the likelihood that the condition of the fetus belongs to a class in the group of classes.

Abstract: A fetal heart monitoring system and method for detecting and processing acoustic fetal heart signals transmitted by different signal transmission modes. One signal transmission mode, the direct-contact mode, occurs in a first frequency band when the fetus is in direct contact with the maternal abdominal wall. Another signal transmission mode, the fluid propagation mode, occurs in a second frequency band when the fetus is in a recessed position with no direct contact with the maternal abdominal wall. The second frequency band is relatively higher than the first frequency band. The fetal heart monitoring system and method detect and process acoustic fetal heart signals that are in the first frequency band and in the second frequency band.

Abstract: A telemetric system for fetal health, which receives data of a pregnant woman or a fetus of the pregnant woman, analyzes the received data and reporting a diagnosis result in order to make a diagnosis of fetal health without the pregnant woman calling on a hospital. The telemetric system for fetal care including a telemetric server for providing first analysis data by analyzing data a data offering client terminal having a data input unit on a communications network, a data diagnosis client receiving the source data from the telemetric server and generating a second analysis data or a final diagnosis result, the telemetric server receiving the second analysis data or the final diagnosis result form the data diagnosis client and transmitting the second analysis data or the final diagnosis result to a result report unit and a Web server managing unit for informing and displaying the second analysis data or the final diagnosis result.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and apparatus for recording and analyzing uterine electrical activity, or electromyography (EMG), from the surface of the abdomen, vagina, or cervix of a patient for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus in pregnant and non-pregnant women, as well as for monitoring maternal and fetal ECG and fetal brain activity. The method and apparatus described include methods for the systematic detection, analysis, characterization and communication of information about electrical signals recorded from the abdominal/vaginal/cervical surface. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing the electrical data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize their uterine, abdominal, and cardiac muscle activity, as well as cardiac and brain activity of the fetus simultaneously or separately.

Abstract: A modified Foley catheter transmits desired data to transducers that allow the measuring of intrauterine pressure and fetal heart rate by healthcare providers on appropriate output devices. A method employs the catheter to indirectly measure intrauterine pressure and fetal heart rate from within the maternal bladder or rectum, thereby allowing the healthcare professional to choose to monitor these fetal characteristics without committing the mother and fetus to childbirth and without the risks associated with intrauterine measuring methods.

Abstract: A fetal heart monitoring system and method for detecting and processing acoustic fetal heart signals transmitted by different signal transmission modes. One signal transmission mode, the direct-contact mode, occurs in a first frequency band when the fetus is in direct contact with the maternal abdominal wall. Another signal transmission mode, the fluid propagation mode, occurs in a second frequency band when the fetus is in a recessed position with no direct contact with the maternal abdominal wall. The second frequency band is relatively higher than the first frequency band. The fetal heart monitoring system and method detect and process acoustic fetal heart signals that are in the first frequency band and in the second frequency band.

Abstract: A fetal electrode assembly including a housing having a first opening for receiving a first connector and a second opening for receiving a second connector. The second connector is a snap connector of an electrode mounted on a mother's body. A support is disposed within the housing and has an access opening communicating with the second opening. A contact is mounted on the support opposite the second opening. The contact includes a pair of spaced, resilient members adapted to resiliently engage and make electrical contact with the snap connector. In one aspect of the invention, the contact is bent to define a pair of parallel spaced apart legs, one end of each of the legs being interconnected by a resilient loop portion, the other ends of the legs being free.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a fetal scalp electrode for use in monitoring fetal heart rate. The connector assembly is used in conjunction with a fetal monitor coupling device and includes a holder formed of an insulating material and a fetal electrode and a maternal electrode secured to the holder. Each wire of an insulated pair of elongated flexible wires is electrically connected to a respective one of the fetal and maternal electrodes. The connector assembly further includes a connector having a pin contact electrically connected to one of the wires and a cylindrical contact electrically connected to the other of the wires. The cylindrical contact is mounted coaxially with the pin contact so that the contacts are electrically isolated from each other and are positioned to make electrical contact with complementary contacts in the coupling device. The connector assembly also preferably includes an elongated tubular sheath that covers the connector and is sized to be received in the coupling device.

Abstract: A system is provided for remotely monitoring fetal status parameters. Status parameters are sampled from patient sensors and are processed and stored in a medical facility data management system. A general purpose data presentation application, such as a browser, is employed on a client side to access the data via a network, such as the Internet. Support software is called upon to format user-viewable pages and to insert data transmitted from the medical facility for remote viewing. The technique is particularly well suited to monitoring of a variety of parameters at various sampling rates for remote medical evaluation, such as in obstetrics applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting sounds from a human body and displaying the detected sound information. The apparatus comprises a stethoscope for collecting sounds, a piezoelectric device for converting the collected sounds into an electric signal, a speaker for converting the electric signal into audible sound, an A/D converter for digitizing the electric signal, a memory for storing the digitized sound data, a microprocessor for issuing the switch control signal, extracting features of the stored data, analyzing the extracted feature values statistically, storing the analyzed statistical figures in the memory, and reading out the statistical figures from the memory, and an LCD panel for displaying the LCD signals.

Abstract: A fetal electrode sleeve and wire interconnect system for transmitting signals indicative of fetal heart rate from a fetus inside a mother through a cable to a monitor external to the mother. The system includes a holder having a fetal spiral electrode on one end and a maternal reference electrode on its opposite end. A safety cap has a retention groove, a grip, a tip with a recessed end opposite the grip, and a conductive sleeve. The conductive sleeve has a first end enclosed by the grip, a second end enclosed by the tip, and an intermediate exposed portion enclosed by neither the grip nor the tip.