Electronic Fetal Monitoring Graphic Indicators for Tracing Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) systems face limitations in assessing and interpreting fetal heart rate patterns and uterine contraction tracings due to display size and position constraints, as well as the complexity of the data, which hinders accurate decision-making during labor and childbirth.
Innovation Solution
An EFM assessment system and method that includes sensors, a data processor, and a display to overlay graphic indicators on fetal heart rate and uterine contraction tracings, allowing medical professionals to assess baseline, variability, decelerations, and accelerations through electronically generated tools and a user interface, providing enhanced visual information for interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic measurement tools with graphic indicators are added to provide supplemental visual information, then assessment accuracy and decision-making quality improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electronic measurement tools as intermediary components that mediate between the raw EFM data and the medical professional's assessment. These tools include graphic indicators such as baseline indicators, variability indicators, deceleration indicators, and acceleration indicators that serve as visual mediators to enhance interpretation of fetal heart rate patterns and uterine contraction tracings without requiring modification of the core EFM system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies of fetal heart rate and uterine contraction data through graphic indicators displayed on the monitor. These graphic representations (baseline lines, variability ranges, deceleration markers, acceleration markers) are electronic copies that overlay the original tracings, providing supplemental visual information that aids assessment while maintaining the integrity of the original data display.
2Loss of information
If multiple graphic indicators are overlaid on tracings to provide comprehensive visual information, then information completeness improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assessment information into distinct graphic indicator types, each addressing a specific aspect of fetal heart rate or uterine contraction analysis. The indicators are divided into categories such as baseline indicators, variability indicators, deceleration indicators, and acceleration indicators. This segmentation allows medical professionals to selectively activate only the indicators relevant to the current assessment needs, reducing visual clutter while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of graphic indicators through a user interface that allows medical professionals to selectively activate or deactivate specific indicators based on the clinical situation. The system can dynamically adjust which indicators are displayed, allowing the interface to adapt to different assessment scenarios and reduce operational complexity by showing only necessary information at any given time.
Data Source
AI summary
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.