Sensor interface system
Inventors
Euliano, II, Neil Russell • Marossero, Dorothee • Darmanjian, Shalom • McKenna, Daniel Patrick
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11672490-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sensor interface system for providing a connection between at least one sensor and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the sensor(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The sensor interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the sensor(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynamometer.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method for converting physiological signals into signals that provide inputs to a maternal-fetal monitor. Physiological signals are detected via a sensor array dimensioned to attach to a maternal abdomen, where the sensor array comprises a plurality of electrodes. The detected physiological signals are received from an electrode interface of a first component that is configured to operably and removably connect with the sensor array.
The received physiological signals are received via a wireless signal transmitter of the first component associated with the electrode interface. The physiological signals are wirelessly transmitted to a wireless receiver of a second component located remote from the first component. The second component includes the wireless signal receiver and a signal converter configured to receive the physiological signals from the wireless signal receiver.
The signal converter processes the physiological signals into output data that mimics electrical output from at least one of a tocodynamometer, an intrauterine pressure catheter, or the fetal scalp electrode. A maternal-fetal monitor port interface configured to operably and removably connect to a port of the maternal-fetal monitor is provided, and the maternal-fetal monitor port interface is configured to receive the output data from the signal converter and communicate the output data to the maternal-fetal monitor when connected to the port.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a conversion-and-interface method comprising abdomen-mounted electrode sensing, wireless transmission to a remote signal converter, conversion into output data that mimics established maternal-fetal monitor electrical outputs, and removable connection to a maternal-fetal monitor port interface that communicates the converted output data to the monitor. Dependent-claim refinements specify physiological signal types, analog-to-digital and/or digital-to-analog conversion, programmable voltage-level determination, and memory-based non-continuous transmission of stored output data.
Abdomen-mounted electrode sensor array for physiological signal detection
Detecting physiological signals via a sensor array dimensioned to attach to a maternal abdomen, wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of electrodes.
Wireless transmission from remote electrode interface component
Receiving the detected physiological signals from an electrode interface of a first component configured to operably and removably connect with the sensor array, and wirelessly transmitting the received physiological signals to a wireless receiver of a second component located remote from the first component.
Signal conversion to mimic electrical output from established maternal-fetal sensors
A signal converter configured to receive the physiological signals from the wireless signal receiver and to process the physiological signals into output data that mimics electrical output from at least one of the tocodynamometer, the intrauterine pressure catheter, or the fetal scalp electrode.
Removable maternal-fetal monitor port interface communication of converted output
A maternal-fetal monitor port interface configured to operably and removably connect to a port of the maternal-fetal monitor and to communicate the output data to the maternal-fetal monitor when connected to the port.
The core inventive coverage is the combination of abdomen-mounted multi-electrode detection, wireless transmission from a remote first component to a second component with a signal converter, conversion into output data that mimics electrical outputs of established maternal-fetal sensors, and removable connection of a maternal-fetal monitor port interface to communicate the converted output data to the maternal-fetal monitor.
Stated Advantages
Non-invasive contraction monitoring.
Compatibility with commercial maternal-fetal monitors.
Low cost.
Documented Applications
Monitoring uterine activity by converting electrical muscle activity signals into uterine activity data signals comparable to existing maternal-fetal monitor probes for contraction monitoring, including correlation to intra-uterine pressure.
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