Electrohysterogram Signal Processing for Real-Time Uterine Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring uterine contractions using electrohysterography introduce significant delays in data processing, making them unsuitable for real-time cardiotocography and often require calibration, leading to unreliable and inaccurate representations of uterine activity.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing arrangement that filters electrophysiological signals using a band-pass filter allowing frequencies between 0 Hz to 3 Hz and applies a window function to generate an output waveform simulating data from a tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter, minimizing delays and providing real-time data without the need for extensive calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filtering and spectral analysis methods are used to process electrohysterogram signals, then uterine activity information can be obtained, but significant processing delays occur making them unsuitable for real-time cardiotocography
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential frequency components (0.05-0.5 Hz band) that contain uterine contraction information, separating them from the full electrohysterogram signal. This selective extraction eliminates the need for extensive processing of irrelevant frequency components, thereby reducing processing delay while maintaining accuracy of uterine activity representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary band-pass filtering to the electrohysterogram signal before further processing. By pre-filtering the signal to retain only the relevant frequency range containing uterine contraction information, subsequent processing steps operate on already-prepared data, significantly reducing overall processing time and enabling real-time cardiotocography.
2Measurement precision
If invasive intra-uterine pressure catheter is used, then reliable and accurate uterine activity detection is achieved, but risks to mother and fetus increase and application is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical intra-uterine pressure catheter system with an electrical/electrophysiological system. Instead of mechanically inserting a catheter into the uterus to measure pressure, the system uses external electrodes to record electrohysterogram signals and processes them to derive uterine contraction information, thereby eliminating invasive risks while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing algorithms as an intermediary between the non-invasive electrohysterogram measurement and the derivation of uterine contraction parameters. This intermediary processing layer extracts meaningful contraction information from the electrical signals without requiring direct mechanical contact with the uterus, thus avoiding the harmful effects of invasive catheterization.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If tocodynamometer is used to monitor uterine contractions, then non-invasive monitoring is achieved, but inability to discriminate between uterine contractions and abdominal muscle contractions reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tocodynamometer system with an electrophysiological system. Instead of measuring mechanical hardness changes of the abdomen that cannot distinguish between uterine and abdominal muscle contractions, the system records electrical signals from the uterine muscle itself, providing reliable discrimination of true uterine contractions while maintaining non-invasive monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces processing delays and enhances the robustness of uterine activity monitoring, enabling real-time data interpretation similar to established methods like tocodynamometry or intra-uterine pressure catheter readings, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of uterine contraction monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The filter allows a passage of frequencies of the electrophysiological signal in a first frequency range and attenuates frequencies of the electrophysiological signal outside the first frequency range. The first frequency range is from 0 Hz to 3 Hz.
Implementation Method 2
The window function applicator generates the output waveform by continuously applying a window function to samples of the filtered electrohysterogram signal, wherein a single application of the window function comprises adding, according to the window function, samples of the filtered electrohysterogram signal of an interval of time preceding the application of the window function.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal processing arrangement 130, a monitoring system 100, a signal processing method, a monitoring method of monitoring uterine contractions of a pregnant woman, and a computer program product are provided. The signal processing arrangement 130 receives an electrophysiological signal 116 representing uterine muscle activity of a pregnant woman at an input 132. A filter 136 generates a filtered electrohysterogram signal from the electrophysiological signal 116. The filter 136 allows the passage of spectral components between 0 and 3 Hz. A window function applicator 138 applies a window function to the filtered electrohysterogram signal to obtain an output waveform 146. The window function defines that samples of a time interval preceding the application of the window function need to be used The output waveform 146 simulates output data of tocodynamometer or an intra-uterine pressure catheter. The output waveform 146 is provided at an output 144 of the signal processing arrangement.