Fetal Heart Rate Analysis Using Behavioral State Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fetal heart rate monitoring techniques lack specificity and reliability, leading to inconsistent interpretations and inadequate representation of fetal state or pregnancy outcomes, with existing tools being invasive or not providing representative data.
Innovation Solution
A device with a software-based module that processes fetal heart rate data by determining a reference heart rate, fractionating it into episodes of high and low variation, and calculating representative characteristics, allowing for contextualization of variability and improved analysis through correlation with behavioral states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If automated computerized analysis of fetal heart rate is performed over long recording periods, then analysis coverage is improved, but reliability and representativeness of results deteriorate due to errors of interpretation and lack of pathological representation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous fetal heart rate recording into discrete behavioral states (active sleep, quiet sleep, wakefulness) based on movement patterns detected by accelerometers. This segmentation allows analysis to be performed on state-specific episodes rather than the entire recording, improving reliability by ensuring results represent actual pathological conditions rather than being diluted by normal variability across all states.
2Measurement precision
If invasive tools such as fetal scalp electrodes are used, then measurement precision of fetal heart rate is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive nature limiting applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses maternal abdominal accelerometers as an intermediary to detect fetal movements and infer behavioral states. This indirect measurement approach maintains ease of operation by remaining non-invasive while achieving sufficient measurement precision through correlation between movement patterns and fetal cardiac activity states.
3Quantity of substance
If analysis is performed on entire recording periods, then quantity of data analyzed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because results are not representative of specific pathological conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different analysis criteria and thresholds specific to each behavioral state. For example, acceleration and deceleration definitions, variability thresholds, and episode duration criteria are customized for active sleep versus quiet sleep versus wakefulness. This local quality approach ensures that the large quantity of data from entire recordings is analyzed with state-appropriate precision, making results representative of specific pathological conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for processing foetal heart rhythm data (D-RCF) from a foetal heart rhythm recording, which data is obtained by means of a device for recording a foetal heart rate. According to the invention, such a device comprises a module for determining (MD-FCB) a reference heart rate which takes the foetal heart rate data (D-RCF) as an input and outputs a reference heart rate value (vFCB), a module for splitting (M-Fct) said data on the basis of both a splitting parameter (P-Fract) and the reference heart rate value (vFCB), and a module for calculating (M-CALC) at least one characteristic that represents the foetal heart rhythm data (D-RCF) on the basis of the reference heart rate value (vFCB).