Fetal Vector Electrocardiogram Extraction via Abdominal Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fetal monitoring techniques during gestation face challenges in accurately and non-invasively assessing fetal health due to limitations in Doppler ultrasound resolution and the need for invasive electrode placement, which are sensitive to motion and provide insufficient information for reliable fetal condition evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for extracting a fetal vector electrocardiogram from abdominal recordings, correcting for fetal orientation, and reconstructing standard ECG leads, allowing for non-invasive and reliable fetal heart rate monitoring using electrodes on the maternal abdomen, reducing the need for direct fetal electrode placement and minimizing motion sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Doppler ultrasound is used to monitor fetal heart rate, then fetal heart rate can be obtained non-invasively, but the resolution is small due to the small size of the fetal heart and vascular system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional Doppler ultrasound signal processing to two-dimensional electrocardiography signal analysis. By using multiple abdominal electrodes to capture electrical potentials across different spatial dimensions, the system reconstructs fetal ECG signals with superior temporal and spatial resolution compared to conventional Doppler methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasound probe system with an electrical measurement system. Instead of using ultrasonic waves that require physical probe contact and repositioning, the system uses electrical potentials detected by stationary abdominal electrodes, eliminating the need for mechanical scanning and improving measurement consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two ultrasound probes are used for combined fetal heart rate and movement monitoring, then both parameters can be monitored, but the device complexity increases and energy exposure to the fetus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional monitoring system where a single set of abdominal electrodes serves multiple purposes. The same electrode array used for fetal ECG acquisition also enables fetal movement detection through signal analysis, eliminating the need for separate ultrasound probes for different monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges fetal heart rate monitoring and fetal movement monitoring into a single integrated system. By combining ECG signal processing with motion artifact analysis from the same electrode recordings, the system simultaneously provides both monitoring functions through one device configuration.
3Measurement precision
If ultrasound probes are used for fetal monitoring, then fetal heart rate can be obtained, but frequent repositioning is required due to movement by the mother or fetus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system that automatically adapts to fetal and maternal movements without requiring external intervention. The algorithm continuously processes signals from stationary electrodes, automatically tracking and following the fetal heart rate signal even as the fetus moves or the mother changes position, making the monitoring system self-adjusting and maintenance-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary signal processing and filtering to prepare the raw electrode signals for accurate fetal heart rate extraction. By pre-processing the signals to enhance fetal cardiac components and suppress maternal interference before analysis, the system ensures reliable detection without requiring physical repositioning of sensors.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If abdominal electrodes are used to record fetal ECG, then non-invasive monitoring is achieved, but the maternal ECG and EMG signals interfere with the fetal signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the composite abdominal signal into distinct components: maternal ECG, fetal ECG, and noise (EMG). By using multiple electrodes and advanced signal processing algorithms, the system separates these overlapping signals in the time and frequency domains, extracting the fetal component while eliminating maternal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing algorithms as an intermediary between the raw electrode signals and the final fetal heart rate measurement. These computational mediators filter out maternal ECG and EMG noise, isolating the fetal cardiac signal through techniques such as wavelet transformation, template matching, and adaptive filtering.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for monitoring a fetus during gestation comprises an input (716) for receiving a plurality of electric signals measured ona surface of a maternal body; and means (712) for providing a fetal electrocardiogram based on the received electric signals and based on an orientation of the fetus, wherein the fetal electrocardiogram represents a projection of a fetal cardiac potentialvector according to a predetermined projection direction that is fixed with respect to the fetus. The fetal vector electrocardiogram is projected according to the projection direction. An at least partial representation of a fetal vector electrocardiogramis provided in dependence on the plurality of electric signals and indicative of a time path of an electrical field vector generated by a fetal heart of the fetus.