Multi-sensor Patch for Maternal Fetal Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopotential-based maternal and fetal monitoring systems face challenges such as signal loss due to vernix caseosa, limited ability to detect contraction strength, and delayed reporting of heart rate and uterine activity parameters, which can be improved by incorporating mechanical motion sensors for real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor patch with a multi-layer flexible substrate and conductive ink electrodes, combined with mechanical motion sensors like piezoelectric sensors and microphones, processes both biopotential and mechanical data to calculate fetal and maternal heart rates, uterine activity, and contraction strength in real-time or near real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If biopotential electrodes are used to detect fetal and maternal heart rates, then heart rate monitoring is achieved, but signal loss occurs due to vernix caseosa and detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines biopotential electrodes with mechanical motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) into a single integrated monitoring system. The mechanical sensors detect fetal and maternal movements that correlate with heart rate, providing an alternative detection pathway when electrical signals are obscured by vernix caseosa, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting electrical biopotential signals, detecting mechanical motion, and processing both data types to determine heart rate. This multi-functional approach ensures that if one detection method fails due to vernix interference, the other can compensate, maintaining reliable heart rate monitoring
2Measurement precision
If only biopotential electrodes are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to detect contraction strength and provide real-time monitoring is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges biopotential electrodes with mechanical motion sensors including accelerometers and gyroscopes into an integrated patch. The mechanical sensors detect uterine contraction movements and forces, enabling contraction strength detection that complements the electrical signal detection, thereby enhancing measurement precision while accepting increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical motion sensors act as intermediaries that detect physical movements associated with uterine contractions and translate them into measurable signals. This intermediary detection mechanism provides additional information about contraction strength that is not available through biopotential electrodes alone, improving the overall measurement capability
3Productivity
If biopotential signals are processed alone, then the processing system remains simple, but real-time feedback and monitoring accuracy are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges biopotential signal processing with mechanical motion data processing in an integrated system. Both data streams are processed simultaneously to provide real-time feedback on fetal and maternal health parameters, enabling faster and more accurate monitoring compared to sequential or separate processing approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where mechanical motion data provides real-time information about fetal movement and uterine activity that complements and validates biopotential signal interpretations. This feedback loop enhances monitoring accuracy and enables real-time adjustment of monitoring parameters
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 integration of biopotential and mechanical data enhances monitoring accuracy and provides real-time feedback, reducing false positives and improving the detection of fetal and maternal health parameters, particularly during critical medical procedures like epidural catheter placement.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one auxiliary sensor may be a piezoelectric sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-sensor patch for simultaneous abdominal monitoring of maternal and fetal physiological data includes a multi-layer flexible substrate with a center region and a plurality of electrode regions. A conductive layer of the flexile substrate provides an electrical connection between each of the plurality of electrode regions and the center region. A plurality of electrodes are formed into the flexible substrate. At least one mechanical motion sensor is connected to the multi-layer flexible substrate. A module unit is connected to the conductive layer at the center region. The module unit includes a controller configured to receive biopotential physiological data from the plurality of electrodes and mechanical sensor data from the at least one auxiliary sensor. The controller calculates at least fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate, and uterine activity from the biopotential physiological data and from the mechanical sensor data.