Electrode and electrode positioning arrangement for abdominal fetal electrocardiogram detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to large area electrodes suitable for use in a fetal heart rate monitoring systems. The electrode comprises: a cutaneous gel contact (10) for sensing fetal electrocardiogram signals from a human pregnant subject; an electrical conductor (12) electrically connected to the gel contact (10) so as to define a first electrical contact region; a connector (14) in electrical contact with the electrical conductor (12) for connection to a lead wire; and a substructure (16) for attachment to a human pregnant subject. The gel contact (10) and the electrical conductor (12) are arranged on the substructure (16) to allow a contact surface (11 ) of the gel contact (10) to be in electrical communication with the skin of a human pregnant subject to define a second electrical contact region. The second electrical contact region has an area greater than 370 square millimetres. When arranged on a predefined electrode topology on the abdomen the success rate of fetal heart rate detection is significantly improved. The topology may be incorporated into a flat flexible cable which provides a comfortable and reproducible electrode arrangement allowing an untrained person to apply electrodes to a pregnant mother's abdomen.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the optimization of electrodes and electrode position arrangement for detecting abdominal fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) signals. Background technique [0002] In order to detect abdominal fetal ECG signals, electrical contact needs to be established between the fetal ECG monitoring device and the mother's abdomen. [0003] In the prior art, electrical contact is established using wet gel (which can be in "liquid" or "solid" form) ECG electrodes designed to detect adult ECG signals. Two such adult ECG wet gel electrodes are 3M 2271 (solid wet gel) and Ambu VLC-00-S (liquid wet gel). 3M 2271 has a circular electrode contact area with a diameter of 18 mm and an area of ​​approximately 255 mm2. The Ambu VLC-00S also has a circular electrode contact area, but with a diameter of 19 mm and an area of ​​approximately 284 mm2. [0004] The term "electrode contact area" as used herein includes the contact area between the sub...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0035] Leads 6 that connect electrodes 1, 2, and 3 to the fECG monitor (not shown) are inconvenient, unsightly, and uncomfortable for the subject during monitoring

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