CN204797887U

CN204797887U - Ultra wide band foetus monitoring system

Info

Publication number: CN204797887U
Application number: CN201290001183.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·P·小蒂潘; J·P·蒂潘; S·斯特凡森四世
Original assignee: LifeWave Inc
Current assignee: LifeWave Inc
Priority date: 2011-12-21
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2015-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-21
Also published as: WO2013096872A1

Abstract

The foetus of using UWB medical treatment radar and/or pregnant woman's monitoring devices, system and method for have been described to here. These equipment and system can include the UWB sensor, and this sensor provides reliable synchronous supervision of high -resolution of a plurality of indexs that foetus and/or pregnant woman are healthy, and these indexs are such as in in -calf nearly all stage and the child rhythm of the heart during laboing, child rhythm of the heart variability, foetus are breathed, the motion of foetal whole health, pregnant woman palace are contracted, pregnant woman's rhythm of the heart, pregnant woman are breathed and other parameters of deriving. This sensor allows to use single sensor or a plurality of sensor to collect the physiology data in order to form normal motion the index independent and set novelly for confirm when instruct foetus or pregnant woman poverty -stricken with the bias of normal motion index.

Description

Ultra broadband fetus surveillance

The cross reference of related application

What patent application claims December in 2011 was submitted on the 21st is numbered 61/578, the rights and interests of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of 669.

The U.S. Patent application that the serial number that the application may relate on April 14th, 2010 and submit to is 12/759,909, title is " SYSTEMANDMETHODFOREXTRACTINGPHYSIOLOGICALDATAUSINGULTRA-WIDEBANDRADARANDIMPROVEDSIGNALPROCESSINGTECHNIQUES (using the signal processing technology of ULTRA-WIDEBAND RADAR and improvement to extract the system and method for physiological data) ".What the application also may relate to that JIUYUE in 2011 submits on the 27th is numbered 13/246, the U.S. Patent application of 784, and the serial number submitted on April 22nd, 2009 is the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of 61/171,772.

Include in by reference

The all open and patent application mentioned in this description is all included at this by reference, its degree just as each open or patent application separately by specially and include in individually through quoting.

Technical field

The fetus that equipment described herein and method relate to the physiological moniyoting being applicable to mother and fetus monitors field.Specifically, the present invention relates to the sensor using ultra broadband (UWB) medical radar and analytical technology and with the software of one or more indexs of the mode Monitor and track fetus of non-intrusive and/or pregnant woman health.

Background technology

Ultra broadband (UWB) is a relatively new term, for describing one as far back as nineteen sixty for the known technology as " carrierfree ", " base band " or " pulse " technology.Emission spectrum from UWB equipment is different from the frequency spectrum of radio, TV and radar system, and the latter launches narrow band signal, and the bandwidth of these signals is generally less than 10% of mid frequency, and the bandwidth of UWB frequency spectrum can reach mid frequency 50% or more.Because have the bandwidth that this is extremely wide, UWB equipment is better than more legacy system.They can carry or collect significantly larger data volume, with much lower power level work, and are not more vulnerable to multipath interference, and can penetrate various material better.

UWB basic conception is behind radio frequency (RF) burst of energy producing, transmit and receive the extremely short persistent period---the persistent period is generally tens of picoseconds (part per trillion second) to number nanosecond (part per billion second).These bursts are made up of to several RF carrier cycle a RF carrier cycle.The final non-constant width of waveform frequency band, thus be generally difficult to determine actual RF mid frequency, i.e. term " carrierfree ".Shortest pulse duration also allows that the more legacy systems of the distance of radar observation are nearer, resolution is higher.

Based on this ultra low power pulse and high-resolution imaging function, this technology can be used for many biomedical applications, such as our fetus surveillance of just introducing.According to statistics display, the fetus be badly in need of outside hospital environment monitors deals with conceived risk.In the U.S., have every year and cause 4,200,000 to register birth more than 6,000,000 gestation.In the middle of these gestation, approximate 10% is classified as excessive risk gestation, and its medium or high risk represents that anemia of pregnant woman or the sick or dead incidence rate of fetus increase, or perinatal complication rate increases.There is the conditioned disjunction feature being called as risk factor in a large number, these factors can manufacture pregnant excessive risk.A part in these risk factor be present in pregnancy before ready-to-be mother with it, such as pregnant woman age is excessive or too small, body weight is excessive or kick the beam, conceived before time there is problem, or there is health status in advance, such as hypertension, diabetes or HIV.Other risk factor may be formed at phenolics, comprising preeclampsia and eclamposia, gestational diabetes, bacterial vaginosis, hemorrhage, trimester of pregnancy Intrahepatic Cholestasis, incompetent cervix, and placental adherence.Diagnosis is also attempted quantizing these factors to determine the degree of risk of specific women and baby, thus allows doctor to adjust antenatal and postpartum care with minimum risk.

Multiple programs can be used to help quantize risk and follow the tracks of fetal development.The test that usual use one is special---non-stress test (NST)---calculates the fetal heart rate variation in finite time section in the pregnancy period with specific interval.Fetus monitors the Fetal Heart Rate being generally used for and measuring response fetal movements.

With the foetus health situation of farrowing interval before general use ultrasound wave and electronics Fetal Heart Rate monitor and assess childbirth.Although fetus monitors that allowing to detect fetus is injured or poverty-stricken, also exists the risk associated with the current available fetus supervision method with implementing, comprising the wrong report that may cause unnecessary operative treatment.Because the change followed the tracks of Fetal Heart Rate and inconsistent explanation may affect gestation process, can the method for system of interpretive scheme be very important so a kind of.

Fetal Heart Rate makes continuously slight adjustment in response to fetus environment and stimulation.Fetal Heart Rate pattern is divided into relieved, worried or ominous.The fetal heartbeat of the short term variations such as had is overrun, the worried pattern relaxing late deceleration and so on is crossed in heart beating generally needs to get involved to get rid of fetus acidosis.Ominous pattern needs urgent Intrauterine fetal resuscitation and gives a birth immediately.Difference between relieved and worried Fetal Heart Rate pattern is the essence accurately explained, this is necessary for making suitable categorised decision.

Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) auscultation is performed by interior external square type.Exterior monitoring use hand-held doppler ultrasound probe perform with in 30 during uterine contraction second to FHR auscultation and counting, then diagnosing fetal response.Also external probes (transducer) can be used to perform, be placed on the abdominal part of anemia of pregnant woman and be fixed in place by elastic cord or belt.This probe uses doppler ultrasound to detect fetal rhythm and moves and be connected to FHR monitor.Monitor calculates FHR at the enterprising line item of continuous print paper tape.Recently, second filial generation fetal monitor has been integrated in microprocessor and arithmetic routine to improve FHR signal and to improve the accuracy recorded.But well-known, data packetloss phenomenon often occurs existing ultrasonic measurement equipment and the measured value that can lead to errors is transmitted by as FHR assessment accurately.Such as, current ultrasound wave FHR system is known, in fact when ultrasonic equipment picks up completely less than any FHR signal, inserts the wrong data of the heart rate that display raises.The data of mistake present and may be caused by the displacement of fetus or mother, or are caused by operator's movable sensor, thus cause ultrasonic sensor lossing signal, in fact create the non-empirical evaluation of FHR, and this assessment may be the twice of actual FHR.This problem may increase the weight of because of following demand: namely guarantee that ultrasound wave FHR sensor is placed suitably to follow the tracks of Doppler's pressure wave front by fetal heart beats.If it is improper that sensor is placed, then cannot collect data accurately.

With under the connection of FHR monitor, screw type electrode is attached to fetal scalp to perform interior monitoring.Must rupture of membranes be made, and must expand at least in part electrode being placed in fetal scalp cervix uteri of going forward.The most serious risk that electronics Fetal Heart Rate monitors possible produce false positive result.The supervision of electronics Fetal Heart Rate associates with the operative treatment rate increased, and this causes the increase of the complication risk of expense and mother and fetus.Research display, when performing continuous print electronics Fetal Heart Rate relative to intermittent auscultation and monitoring, every 1, produce for 000 time and will do 38 extra Cesarean esction and 30 extra obstetric forceps delivery.Clinician with inconsistent explanation, may affect the process to patient to the change that Fetal Heart Rate is followed the tracks of.Continuous print electronics Fetal Heart Rate monitors and is not yet established well the impact of medical error responsibility.

When use in utero parturiometer or conduit, other the rare risk associated with EFM comprises fetal scalp and infects or the perforation of uterus.In view of some restriction of prior art, a kind of sensor that can monitor Fetal Heart Rate and other fetus index in the mode of non-intrusive can be very advantageously provided, this sensor can increase the reliability of measurement, minimize potential fetal distress wrong report probability, eliminate the probability of other complication caused by supervision method, improve pregnant woman health situation, continuous print is provided to monitor reliably determine normal baseline or relieved behavior from worried or ominous behavior, finally, decision-making decision-making ability is improved to maximize the probability of correct categorised decision by explaining accurately.In fact, a kind of less dependence also can guarantee FHR reading accurately sensor close to the certain position of fetus and fetal rhythm is advantageously provided.

And, also need the monitor that the one or more indexs can also determining pregnant woman health except foetus health are provided.Current system and equipment generally need multiple equipment to operate independently could to determine one or more indexs of anemia of pregnant woman and foetus health.The time that this process need is extra, add the complexity of program simultaneously.

A kind of system for monitoring fetus and/or pregnant woman health by the ultra broadband (UWB) of the power and energy level that can modulate applied signal can also be very advantageously provided.The modulation of the power level applied can allow this system to prevent fetus and mother to be unnecessarily exposed to high energy levels, simultaneously the energy requirement of regulating system.

In addition, doppler ultrasound is before nursing childbirth and the main standard that when giving a birth, fetus monitors.This technology has the multiple defect limiting its effectiveness and application.First, ultrasonic energy is decayed easily through adipose cell.Along with the continuous increase (estimating with the anemia of pregnant woman of the U.S. more than 60%) of Overweight and obesity population, ultrasound wave just becoming be difficult to gradually use and often unreliable.Estimate that 25% to 35% of all childbirths cannot use U/S-EFM to monitor effectively, and in fact, cannot use completely in 10% to 20% of whole sufferer population.Even if U/S-EFM can detect in the patient of Fetal Heart Rate wherein, nurse also often needs to reappose probe, because ultrasonic beam height aims at, and along with the movement of fetus and anemia of pregnant woman, is easy to lose the focusing to fetal rhythm.And U/S-EFM ultrasound wave is often invalid for multiple birth's gestation.Best, need a ultrasound probe and extra nursery work for each fetus.When patient be placed to carry out epidural anesthesia or from obstetrical ward transfer to operating room carry out cesarean section delivery time, ultrasound wave monitors and often can be interrupted.

The discussion limited with U/S-EFM is similar, may be difficult to use parturiometer band (the external pressure probe using elastic cord fixing) to monitor the uterine contraction of Overweight and obesity women, this is because the pressure wave that uterine contraction causes can be decayed through fat.The impact detected uterine contraction extreme magnitude degree being subject to the tension force that elastic cord applies with the Second Problem using parturiometer band to associate.The movement of care-giver on the adjustment of elastic cord or mother may cause great impact on measured amplitude, thus the uncertainty of measured value shown by increasing.

In L&D process, if enough signals cannot be obtained or when the use that non-invasive monitors becomes no longer practical because of the movement of fetus and/or the activity of mother, then often abandon non-invasive and monitor.As substituting of U/S-EFM and the combination of parturiometer band, invasive fetal scalp electrode and in utero catheter pressure supervision fetus and labor can be used.According to definition, when compared with non-invasive technology, invasive surveillance technology can provide more accurate datas, but generally does not wish to be used.These invasive equipment need more medical monitoring, may cause complication, and cannot be used for the women that contracts a contagious disease.Monitor that the challenge that associates significantly increases for the situation of multiple birth's gestation with invasive.

There has been described the method, apparatus and system that can solve the demand.

Summary of the invention

There has been described the fetus and/or anemia of pregnant woman's supervision that use ultra broadband (UWB) medical radar.UWB equipment described herein and system can be used as a part for surveillance, this surveillance comprises one or more sensor (UWB sensor), processor for the treatment of UWB signal and/or other sensor signal, and the memorizer that can comprise for storing primary signal or processed signal (data of extraction), and for primary signal or processed signal being transferred to the communication module of external server and/or network.This system also can comprise be configured to allow to monitor, report or the software of storage signal or data, firmware or hardware, and doctor or health care provider interface can be comprised, this interface is for presenting patient information and/or for providing the alarm about anemia of pregnant woman and/or foetus health.

Equipment described herein, system and method are configured to the multiple parameter or the index that allow simultaneously and/or monitor concurrently fetus and/or pregnant woman health.Such as, same " scanning " can be processed (such as, single UWB pulse or the train of impulses) to provide multiple indexs of fetus and/or pregnant woman health, such as fetal body motion, Fetal Heart Rate, fetal respiration (pseudo-breathing), anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate, maternal heart rate, anemia of pregnant woman's breathing, anemia of pregnant woman's blood pressure etc.Equipment herein and method describe the formation of the matrix by penetration depth index, thus provide the information about various movement velocity or frequency; It is part or all of with what extract in anemia of pregnant woman and/or foetus health index that processor can analyze this matrix.

In some distortion, this system also can be configured to dynamically to monitor mother and/or fetus and control the power that provides according to received signal intensity.Like this, the UWB signal of output can increase as required or reduce in power, thus restriction is applied to the power of fetus and/or mother.

System described herein and equipment can comprise multiple sensor, comprising multiple UWB sensor and/or polytype sensor (UWB and ultrasonic sensor, UWB and pressure transducer, UWB and temperature sensor etc.).In the distortion with multiple UWB sensor, sensor can comprise simultaneously for transmitting and receiving the individual antenna of UWB signal, or can comprise one or more transmitting antenna and one or more reception antenna.When using multiple UWB sensor, this system can be configured to provide single base or many bases (such as, bistatic) to monitor.In the pattern of single base, perform transmitting (TX) identical with receiving the antenna of (RX) or be positioned at same position (such as, conventional radar), and in the pattern of many bases, the changeable antenna pair for launching (TX) and reception (RX) of this system.Alternatively, single transmitting antenna can with multiple reception antenna with the use of.Such as, the TX/RX antenna being positioned at abdominal part top can transmitted pulse, and one or more reception antenna being positioned at other position around health can receive exomonental reflection of controlling oneself.If the first type surface of fetal rhythm is also kept off vertical with the direction of propagation (such as, best reflection), then many bases technology can be used to improve reflected signal quality.These many bases configuration (such as, having two or more reception antennas) also can be configured to support front scattering technology.In front scattering, a TX/RX antenna or antenna are to being placed in a position (such as, be positioned at the left side of mother's abdominal part), 2nd TX/RX antenna or antenna are to being placed in another location (such as, be positioned at the right side of mother's abdominal part), to be received by the RX antenna in the second position from the TX signal of primary importance, or received by the RX antenna in primary importance from the TX signal of the second position.These technology can be isolated better and follow the tracks of fetal movements.

These fetal monitoring devices and system both can be used for clinical (such as, hospital) environment, also can be used in some distortion in home environment.

Such as, there has been described to walk abreast monitors ultra broadband (UWB) the fetus surveillance of fetus and pregnant woman health index, described system comprises: sensor, and it is configured to receive and launch UWB signal data, and described sensor comprises at least one antenna; And signal processor, it is configured to from described sensor Received signal strength data and is the reflected signal matrix according to the degree of depth and time index by information processing, and extracts multiple indexs of fetus or fetus and pregnant woman health from described matrix.

Described sensor also comprises reception antenna and the transmitting antenna of separation, or it can comprise and being configured to simultaneously for the combined antenna received and launch.In some distortion, described system comprises multiple sensor, and each sensor is configured to receive and launch UWB data and comprise at least one antenna respectively.As mentioned above, described system can be configured to the operation of fill order base, UWB signal transmitting wherein from each sensor is received by same sensor, or described system can be configured to perform the operation of many bases, and the UWB signal transmitting wherein from a sensor is received by different sensors.

Described signal processor can be configured to the one or more foetus health indexs selected the group determining to form from following item: Fetal Heart Rate, fetal heart rate variation, fetal respiration, fetal body move.Described signal processor can be configured to the one or more pregnant woman health indexs selected the group determining to form from following item: maternal heart rate, anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate and intensity, anemia of pregnant woman's blood pressure, anemia of pregnant woman breathe.

Generally speaking, described system also can comprise the emitter be connected with antenna, and described emitter is configured to produce a series of low pressure, the wideband pulse of short persistent period as transmitting from antenna transmission, and these signals are ultrabroad-band spectrum signals.Receptor can be configured to be connected with described antenna, and described receptor is configured to receive the reflection transmitted that described antenna receives, and they is treated to the data that will be sent to described signal processor.Described receptor can be configured to the degree of depth amplifying signal according to signal, to be greater than the amplification degree from the reflected signal close to described sensor from the amplification degree of described sensor reflected signal far away.

Described signal processor can be configured to determine Fetal Heart Rate and anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate specially.

In some distortion, described system also comprises local storage, and it is for storing data and/or signal (such as, matrix information).Described system also can comprise communication module, and it is for communicating with surveillance.Described surveillance can comprise the computer system being configured to store and send data.Such as, described surveillance can comprise the webserver.

In some distortion, described sensor can be configured to disposable sensor, and this disposable sensor is configured to be connected with signal processor or disconnect with signal processor.Such as, one or more sensor can be configured to (via adhesive agent) to be attached to adhesive sensors on mother's health.In other example, described sensor is configured to wear or be attached on the clothes of mother.In some distortion, described sensor is configured to lasting and reusable.

In some distortion, described system comprises one or more non-UWB sensor, such as temperature sensor, heart rate (pulse) sensor (such as, for determining maternal heart rate), accelerometer (for determining fetus or anemia of pregnant woman's motion) etc.Data from non-UWB sensor can merge with UWB data, and can be sent to described processor.

Also describing to walk abreast herein monitors ultra broadband (UWB) the fetus surveillance of fetus and pregnant woman health index.These systems can comprise: sensor, and it is configured to receive and launch UWB data, and described sensor comprises at least one antenna; Emitter, it is connected with described antenna, and described emitter is configured to produce a series of low pressure, the wideband pulse of short persistent period as transmitting from antenna transmission, and these signals are ultrabroad-band spectrum signals; And signal processor, it is configured to be the reflected signal matrix according to the degree of depth and time index from described sensor reception data and by described information processing, and extracts Fetal Heart Rate and anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate from described matrix.

Also describe ultra broadband (UWB) the fetus surveillance being configured to foetus health index be carried out to adaptive energy supervision herein, described system comprises: sensor, it is configured to receive and launch UWB signal data, and described sensor comprises at least one antenna; And signal processor, it is configured to from described sensor Received signal strength data and is the reflected signal matrix according to the degree of depth and time index by described information processing, and determines the signal energy level of described reflection,fetal; And emission level adapter, it is configured to the energy level of the UWB signal adjusting described sensor emission according to the energy level of the signal of described reflection,fetal.

Any system described herein also can comprise one or more outfan, and it is for presenting the information about described fetus and/or mother.Such as, outfan can comprise video-frequency monitor, script/chart printer and/or recorder, printer, audio output etc.

Emission level adapter can comprise comparator, this comparator is configured to the energy level of the signal that more described fetus is reflected and predetermined target level, and the energy level that wherein said emission level adapter is configured to adjust described UWB signal remains in described predeterminated target energy level with the energy level of the signal making described reflection,fetal.

Also describe ultra broadband (UWB) the fetus surveillance for monitoring fetus and pregnant woman health index herein.These systems can comprise: sensor, it is configured to receive and launch UWB data, described sensor comprises at least one antenna, power supply and emitter, described emitter is configured to produce a series of low pressure, the wideband pulse of short persistent period as transmitting from antenna transmission, and these signals are ultrabroad-band spectrum signals; Charging clip, it is configured to described power source charges; And communication equipment, it is configured to receive information from described sensor and described information is passed to signal processor, wherein said signal processor is configured to be the reflected signal matrix according to the degree of depth and time index by described information processing, and extracts multiple indexs of fetus or fetus and pregnant woman health from described matrix.

Described signal processor can be configured to from matrix determination Fetal Heart Rate and anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate.Described system also can comprise outfan, outfan be configured to show in multiple indexs of fetus or pregnant woman health one or more.

Also describe two or more that use ultra broadband (UWB) system simultaneously to monitor fetus and pregnant woman health herein and refer to calibration method.Described method can comprise the following steps: a series of low pressure, the wideband pulse of short persistent period are launched as transmitting to fetus in ultrabroad-band spectrum; From the wideband pulse series of reception reflected signal of described low pressure, short persistent period; Described reflected signal is treated to the matrix according to the degree of depth and time index; And extract the first foetus health index and the second fetus health indicator or the first pregnant woman health index from described matrix.

In some distortion, described method also comprises the described first foetus health index of display and described second fetus health indicator or the first pregnant woman health index.Described method also comprises and sensor is placed in anemia of pregnant woman or near its health, wherein said sensor comprises antenna with it, and antenna is configured to receive and launch UWB data, and described sensor comprises at least one antenna.

The step processing described reflected signal can comprise the storehouse reflected signal corresponding to single wideband pulse being divided into the described wideband pulse penetration depth of multiple reflection.

In some distortion, extraction step can comprise determines anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate and from described matrix determination Fetal Heart Rate from described matrix.

Generally speaking, first extraction step by determining that one or more labelling distinguishing fetus and anemia of pregnant woman position in described matrix that helps performs.Such as, extraction step can comprise to be determined anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate first degree of depth from described matrix and determines the anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate second degree of depth from described matrix, and by determining the first foetus health index from the position between first and second degree of depth described in described matrix analysis.

Described method also can comprise the step of amplifying described reflected signal according to its degree of depth, thus makes the amplification degree away from the darker reflected signal of described transmitting antenna be greater than the amplification degree of the reflected signal nearer with described transmitting antenna.

Also describe herein and use ultra broadband (UWB) system to monitor the method for fetus and pregnant woman health during L&D simultaneously, described method comprises: sensor is placed in anemia of pregnant woman and carries out term supervision with it, described sensor is configured to receive and launch UWB data, and described sensor comprises at least one antenna; Using a series of low pressure, the wideband pulse of short persistent period as the transmitting that transmits in ultrabroad-band spectrum; From the wideband pulse series of reception reflected signal of described low pressure, short persistent period; Described reflected signal is treated to the matrix according to the degree of depth and time index; And extract Fetal Heart Rate and anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate from described matrix.

Equipment described herein, system and method can provide the remote fetus being suitable for collecting NST data inside and outside medical environment to monitor.

In some distortion, described fetus surveillance will comprise at least one (UWB) sensor, charging clip, communication equipment (or multiple communication equipment), and treating stations (such as, server).Described system can follow the instruction that doctor provides.Such as, in some distortion, described system can be used for home care.In this distortion, mother (or other care-giver) can start cycle tests by sensor being removed described charging clip and described sensor being placed in abdominal part at official hour.Integrated form speaker can be comprised locate to provide the earcon proportional with fetal heartbeat to help mother.Once correct location, record can be comprised Fetal Heart Rate, breathe relevant fetal movement and the data of uterine contraction to whole body kinematics and puppet by described sensor.Described sensor also can be connected with separable button, and mother can use this button hand labeled fetal movement (" playing belly counting ").Automatically stop test after the cycle (such as, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes etc.) that described sensor can be specified doctor, thus provide listening and visual cues about test end to mother.At the end of test, described sensor is put back to described charging clip by mother.

Once the device comprising sensor is put back to described charging clip, mother just can retrieve described communication equipment (such as, smart phone) and start data transmission small routine.Small routine on described smart phone can activate described sensor and be connected with the wireless blue tooth between phone, is connected to server via cellular network, and upload the data to this server.At the end of uploading, mother has an opportunity on data record, to add brief sound or text message before closing the session with server.Once test data is uploaded to server, the health care supplier to mother gives the alarm by this server.Then health care supplier by any equipment can accessing Internet, can use standard browser access services device.After the login, health care supplier can check data, if necessary, and the software of operating analysis data, thus identify fetal movement cycle, Accelerated heart rate and deceleration and uterine contraction.Analysis software also calculates fetus scoring to indicate fetal stress according to data.After completing data check, message can be sent to mother by health care supplier, indicates foetus health situation or requires that mother contacts this supplier to do further inspection.Finally, at any time, health care supplier can input a series of date, can will send prompting to remind it to perform test on these dates to mother.

Also describe the system monitoring data for the treatment of ultra broadband (UWB) fetus herein.Such as, system for the treatment of UWB fetus (with fetus/anemia of pregnant woman) data can comprise: sensor, it is configured to receive and launch UWB data, described sensor comprises at least one antenna, power supply and emitter, described emitter is configured to produce a series of low pressure, the wideband pulse of short persistent period as transmitting from antenna transmission, and these signals are ultrabroad-band spectrum signals; And signal processor, its UWB reflectance data being configured to processes sensor reception, to form the reflected signal matrix according to the degree of depth and time index, can extract one or more indexs of fetus or fetus and pregnant woman health from described matrix; And server, it is configured to receive information from described signal processor and extracted fetus or fetus and anemia of pregnant woman's index are delivered to one or more remote reporting station.

Described signal processor can be configured to the multiple indexs extracting fetus or fetus and pregnant woman health from described matrix.Above-mentioned any index can be extracted.In some distortion, described server is configured to the multiple indexs extracting fetus or fetus and pregnant woman health from described matrix.Therefore, the extraction carried out from described matrix can perform in each signal processor level, also can be sent to central server to process from patient side equipment.Therefore, in some distortion, described signal processor mainly regulates described signal and prepares to be delivered to this signal of processor.Alternatively, described signal processor can from described reflected signal information extraction.Information extraction can allow more effectively, be sent to described server swimmingly.Described server can be the computer server being enough to actuating logic, this logic for the treatment of information extraction, or for the treatment of matrix information to extract one or more indexs of fetus and/or pregnant woman health.

In some distortion, described server is configured to pass to one or more mobile device by extracting index.Such as, described system can provide one or more account for access patient data for the doctor of patient, care-giver etc.These data can be sent directly to doctor or care-giver, also can by doctor/care-giver from remote location access.In some distortion, described system is configured to send alarm according to fetus/pregnant woman health mark sense doctor/care-giver or other people.

In some distortion, provide the childbirth surveillance equipment based on UWB radar and advanced Digital Signal Processing.Described equipment can measure Fetal Heart Rate, maternal heart rate, anemia of pregnant woman's breathing and uterine contraction.Described equipment can comprise the control module be connected with the disposable band comprising one or more antenna.Described equipment can use single transceiver to realize minimizing cost or use multiple transceiver to realize allowing to perform various array-processing techniques.

The meticulous range bin resolution that single order between the aortal structure of fetus, uterus and anemia of pregnant woman distinguishes anatomical model by combining her abdominal and described UWB radar has been come.This feature causes locating and identifies the ability returned from the aortal signal of uterus, fetus and anemia of pregnant woman.Increase ARRAY PROCESSING and improve range bin resolution further, expansion covers volume, and increases signal to noise ratio.

The Collection and analysis of the related data of fetus, further differentiation between uterus and anemia of pregnant woman's aorta and its each action is by being applied to received signaling reflex to realize by Digital Signal Processing.These technology comprise the pattern recognition utilizing matched filter and adaptive-filtering, and wherein matched filter is optimized for each anatomical object.

These technology can be extended to the multiple Fetal Heart Rates identifying and monitor in multiple birth's gestation.Similarly, these technology form the basis of the track algorithm allowed conceived and/or farrowing interval persistent surveillance fetus.

In certain embodiments, ultra broadband (UWB) the fetus surveillance of can walk abreast supervision fetus and pregnant woman health index is provided.Described system can comprise sensor, and sensor is configured to receive and launch UWB signal data, and described sensor comprises at least one antenna; And signal processor, it is configured to from described sensor Received signal strength data and is the reflected signal matrix according to the degree of depth and time index by described information processing, wherein said signal processor is designed to: determine at least two waveform patterns from described reflected signal matrix, wherein the first waveform corresponds to first anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure, and the second waveform corresponds to the first fetal anatomy structure; Pattern recognition according to described first waveform and described second waveform identifies described first anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure and described first fetal anatomy structure; And according to the determination of at least two waveform patterns and the identification of anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure and fetal anatomy structure, extract multiple indexs of foetus health and pregnant woman health from described reflected signal matrix.

In certain embodiments, described first anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure is the antetheca of pregnant woman uterus, and described first fetal anatomy structure is fetal rhythm.

In certain embodiments, described signal processor is further designed to determines the 3rd waveform pattern from described reflected signal matrix, and wherein the 3rd waveform corresponds to second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure.

In certain embodiments, described second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure is selected from the group that rear wall and anemia of pregnant woman's aorta of pregnant woman uterus are formed.

In certain embodiments, described signal processor is further designed to and identifies described second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure according to the pattern recognition of described 3rd waveform.

In certain embodiments, described signal processor is further designed to the identification of determination according to described 3rd waveform pattern and described second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure, extracts other pregnant woman health index from reflected signal matrix.

In certain embodiments, multiple indexs of foetus health and pregnant woman health are selected from the group that maternal heart rate, Fetal Heart Rate, anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate, anemia of pregnant woman's breathing rate and fetal movement rate are formed.

In certain embodiments, described signal processor is further designed to and distinguishes described maternal heart rate and described Fetal Heart Rate when described Fetal Heart Rate is near or below described maternal heart rate.

In certain embodiments, described sensor comprises aerial array.In certain embodiments, described aerial array arranges with two-dimensional arrangement.In certain embodiments, described aerial array arranges with ladder configuration.

In certain embodiments, described signal processor is further designed to determines the 3rd waveform pattern from described reflected signal matrix, and wherein said 3rd waveform corresponds to the second fetus anatomical structure.

In certain embodiments, described first fetal anatomy structure is the first fetal rhythm, and described second fetus anatomical structure is the second fetal rhythm.In certain embodiments, described first fetal anatomy structure is the first fetal rhythm, and described second fetus anatomical structure is fetal limb.

In certain embodiments, described pattern recognition comprises the one or more character calculating described waveform pattern, and wherein said character is selected from the group that amplitude, frequency, shape and width are formed.In certain embodiments, described pattern recognition comprises the described waveform pattern shape of calculating.In certain embodiments, described pattern recognition comprises described waveform application matched filter.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 is a diagram of being out of shape of the sensor be connected with anemia of pregnant woman.

Fig. 2 A illustrates the matrix of time described herein relative to the degree of depth.

Fig. 2 B is another distortion of matrix.

Fig. 3 illustrates from systematic collection and uses the partial analysis of the data of moving window fft analysis described herein.

Fig. 4 A is the figure that the data extracted in the Proof of Concept distortion of the system described from here are shown, wherein system and ultrasound wave fetal monitor is compared when analyzing Fetal Heart Rate.

Fig. 4 B UWB Proof of Concept radar equipment for measuring Fetal Heart Rate and ultrasound wave fetal monitor be shown another compare.

Fig. 4 C and 4D illustrates the use of the Proof of Concept UWB radar system detecting uterine contraction.

Fig. 5 illustrates a distortion for the method from reflected value matrix determination foetus health index (such as, Fetal Heart Rate) described herein.

Fig. 6 illustrates a distortion of UWB fetus surveillance described herein.

Fig. 7 illustrates a distortion of being propagated by the UWB signal of each anatomical structure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a distortion in the storehouse wherein can placing the signal reflected from each anatomical structure.

Fig. 9 illustrates shape from the waveform of each anatomical structure and frequency.

Figure 10 illustrates from the figure that UWB equipment embodiment compares with the data of GE equipment of for measuring Fetal Heart Rate.

Figure 11 illustrates from the figure that UWB equipment embodiment compares with the data of GE equipment of for measuring uterine contraction.

Figure 12 A-12C illustrates various fetal presentation probability.

Figure 13 A-13G illustrates various band or sensor configuration.

Detailed description of the invention

Any fetus surveillance described herein can comprise one or more for launching UWB signal and for the UWB sensor that receives UWB signal reflection and the processor of UWB signal being configured to process reflection.This processor can be configured to reflected signal to be constructed as according to time and the degree of depth entering tissue, or according to frequency and the matrix of depth indexing entering tissue.This processor also can be configured to the movable information of two or more indexs extracted specific to fetus and/or pregnant woman health.

Such as, in some distortion, fetus medical treatment radar sensor described herein comprises the sensor (or " sensor unit ") with correlation electron device and/or logic.This logic can comprise hardware, firmware and/or software for performing function described herein.Sensor 20 can comprise transmitting (Tx) antenna and reception (Rx) antenna, or transmitting/receiving combined antenna.Sensor 20 communicates with two-way mode by processor, and it can be a part for electronics housing.Electronics housing also can comprise transceiver Tx/Rx, for electromagnetic signal being sent to transmitting antenna and being used for receiving from reception antenna radiating circuit and the receiving circuit of reflected signal.This processor can be CPU (CPU).In some distortion, this sensor can with processor one, or wirelessly or via physical connection (such as, electric wire) processor can be connected to.This system also can comprise data storage, for the input from transceivers initial data and the power supply for sensor.

Initial data that is that receive or record can use special logic (such as, the algorithm comprised in the software of the upper execution of CPU) to process within a processor, and can be used for the multiple indexs determining fetus/pregnant woman health.

As shown in Figure 1, in an example, this system can comprise the sensor 20 simultaneously comprising transmitting antenna and reception antenna, and this sensor is placed in the abdominal part of anemia of pregnant woman.Sensor 20 is in this example via being wired to the transceiver unit being placed in monitored main body side.Voice-frequency cable from transceiver unit directly accesses the computer phoneme frequency input terminal on sound card PCI.Then the logic (in this example as software) that computer comprises is used to process and changes initial data described herein to determine, to follow the tracks of and to monitor multiple fetus and/or pregnant woman health index.

Generally speaking, system described herein can monitor one or more indexs (such as, Fetal Heart Rate, body kinematics, pseudo-breathing etc.) of foetus health.In addition, this system can monitor one or more indexs (such as, maternal heart rate, anemia of pregnant woman's breathing, anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate/intensity etc.) of pregnant woman health simultaneously.In order to meet various management expectancy, comprising U.S. food and medication management (FDA) and FCC (FCC) required standard, the energy output of sensor must be restricted to specific rank to maximize main body safety.The current FDA restriction being openly exposed to energy field for everyone comprising anemia of pregnant woman is continuously: for whole body meansigma methods, every kilogram 0.08 watt (W/kg), for local exposes, and 1.6W/kg.The present invention includes the maximum average power being only 0.8mW to export, significantly little 1000 times than current FDA restriction.Because the absorption of the skin of mother, subcutaneous fat, uterus muscle and amniotic fluid or reflection cause the energy in signal transmission to be decayed, under therefore fetus is exposed to even less projectile energy.As described here, this system also can be adapted to pass through coupling emission energy further and reflection can minimize emission energy, and this system just dynamically changes emission energy only to apply minimum energy level as required like this.

The electromagnetic energy of radio wave form of taking of sensor emission produces limited heat effect by for the main body comprising mother and fetus.The mean power of equipment exports and is usually less than 0.001mW/cm2.Again, anemia of pregnant woman organizes the major part that can absorb this incident energy before incident energy arrives fetus.Fetal body temperature increase in the cardia checked is less than 0.001 degree Celsius, is positioned at tolerance interval completely.When combining the miscellaneous equipment generally used at present and using, people are exposed under the energy from microwave device, cell phone and wireless network every day.The energy exposure of system described herein is generally less than more than 1,000 times of cellular emitted energy.According to the available evidence calculating radio wave in utero effect, and when given low-yield output, sensor safely for the mankind, can not produce the known teratogenic effect that may affect embryo or fetal growth or growth.

The emission part of equipment or system generally produces radiofrequency signal, and this signal is sent by sensor and launches towards fetus.Radiofrequency signal release and launch be time-synchronized to corresponding receptor (such as, Rx antenna) so that receive path can not transmit be launched before activate.Sensor 10 can configure in any suitable manner, comprising as the small rectangular band simultaneously with transmitting antenna and reception antenna.This band can be configured to adhesively be fixed on patient skin or clothes, or is otherwise attached to it patient.In some distortion, in the bed that sensor element is configured to be integrated in clothes that patient wears or patient place or bedding.

Transmitting antenna is generally towards fetus transmitting signal, and reception antenna picks up the reflection transmitted.Collected reflected signal is transmitted back system by reception antenna, and can comprise reception preprocessor (or receiving circuit), and this reception preprocessor is used for processing this signal before the signal of perception is sent to processor.In some distortion, the function of preprocessor performs by processor, alternatively, can use discrete equipment or circuit.Such as, receiving circuit can receive the Primitive reflex radar signal in the grouping driven by the interval of receptor timing circuit (constantly with transmit keep synchronous).In each signal grouping, catch the reflection transmitted in the degree of depth increased.Each packet can such as use gain compensation circuit to amplify, and in the circuit, the front end amplification degree of grouping is minimum, and the rear end amplification degree of grouping is maximum.Darker in-house reflection can be strengthened like this, wherein more deeply organize the attenuation degree of internal reflection to be greater than the attenuation degree of the reflection closer to surface.Once signal be exaggerated, signal just by a series of low pass filter to prevent from, after Data Digital, aliasing occurs.

In a distortion, collected reflection and Timing Synchronization (sync) signal are sent to processor by from sensor; Concurrently, reflection and timing signal can be sent to outfan, such as audio or video outfan.Such as, reflection and timing signal send by the voice-frequency cable connected with audio output (such as, computer sound card).These two signals can be used for creating the stereophonic signal exported, and the left side of such as stereophonic signal is sync signal, and the right side of stereophonic signal is reflected signal.Logic can be used for outputing signal (such as, on computer sound card), writes concurrently and preserves collected data to process simultaneously.

Monitor that multiple indexs of fetus/pregnant woman health perform with the processor of analytical data by organizing.Such as, this processor can comprise for by a series of conversion process data to determine the logic of multiple indexs of fetus/pregnant woman health.The matrix that data (such as, reflectance data) restructural that is collected and/or that preserve is the form shown in Fig. 2 A, wherein data stream packet passes through column alignment.In this example, each packet represents on the particular sample time, the feature of the health (fetus and/or anemia of pregnant woman) in each degree of depth (also referred to as range bin (rangebin)).The analysis of the data in these range bins can be used for according to the degree of depth and time, in the specific range storehouse that will associate, determines the dielectric property change of tissue, to be further analyzed based on reflected signal.

Data from each range bin represented on the special time of the specific inspection degree of depth can process according to strobe utility.In another example, these data can represent reflex strength; Alternatively, these data can represent frequency data.Filtration can be applied to data in matrix or when data are transfused to matrix.One or more parameter according to the frequency content of the signal in matrix, and/or can be determined according to the comparison of the signal in a region of matrix and other signal in this matrix.Such as, fetal heartbeat, by ignoring the signal outside target range scope, is determined according to other signal.Other suppresses signal can to associate with other stray electron signal in other biological effect, the electronic signal associated with equipment or surrounding.Such as, other signal can be determined according to the frequency content of characteristic or expection, and such as anemia of pregnant woman breathes (~ 20BPM), fetal respiration or pseudo-breathing (~ 50-60BPM), and maternal heart rate (90-100BPM).The Fetal Heart Rate being positioned at desired extent 120-160BPM is the range of target frequencies be concerned.Therefore, by within a period of time for the frequency scanning matrix be in desired extent, can determine predict estimation.Such as, but desired extent can carry out expanding to catch the measured value outside exception or scope, can indicate the Fetal Heart Rate of fetal distress.

In an example, the Received signal strength that UWB sensor is designed to producing from the internal anatomy of mother and the emission energy of reflection,fetal is sampled.Sampler can be triggered by the variable time delay between transmitter samples device and receptor sampler, and wherein time delay equals from transmitting antenna to the paid close attention to dissection degree of depth, finally to the transition time (timeofflight) of reception antenna.This delay may corresponding to comprise uterus and fetus the region of anatomy time window on change, and consider any delay additionally needed for compensation sensor internal circuit and propagation delay.

The timing parameters of UWB sensor can be dependent on examination scope required in intrinsic circuit in radar configuration, sensor and propagation delay and mother's body.For the UWB sensor for monostable operative configuration, such as, measuring circuit in sensor and propagation delay 10ns, and required dissection distance 50cm can ensure that uterus and fetus are included, wherein 50cm is enough to cover the distance from the skin of abdomen surface of mother to her spinal column.Minimum time postpones can be set as 10ns to separate circuit in pyroelectric sensor and propagation delay, and maximum time delay simultaneously can be set as 10ns and add round transition time corresponding to 50cm.Suppose that average dielectric constant is 50, then the round transition time is calculated as approximate 24ns, thus produces maximum time delay 34ns.Step-length for changing sampler timing on the 24ns distance window of activity is set as 250ps, thus provides the radial resolving power of approximate 5mm.When providing 24ns Distance geometry 250ps step-length, in distance window, 96 range bins will be had.

The speed that time delay significantly can be greater than paid close attention to peak frequency is swept this distance window to avoid, in digitized signal, aliasing occurs.When providing Fetal Heart Rate desired extent 120-240BPM or 2-4Hz, scan rate can be set as 100Hz.Each scanning distance window produces a series of sample, and wherein the sample number in each discrete distance storehouse is set as 4 or 8 usually, thus allows to be averaged for the sample in any single degree of depth with noise reduction.Like this, by 100Hz scan rate, each scanning 96 steps and often walk 4 samples, receptor sample rate will reach approximate 38k sample per second.Each set of every range bin 4 samples is averaged, thus produces the efficiently sampling rate of approximate 9.6k sample per second.

In some distortion, such as, shown in Fig. 2 B, time/distance matrix can have 96 row altogether, and wherein often row comprise the average data in respective distances storehouse.The algorithm that line number can be dependent on required physiological data type and extracts needed for data.Generally speaking, row counting is set as and allows the storage data of 1 to 5 minutes and constantly use new data to upgrade, thus provides slip data window.Algorithm becomes more complicated motion detection algorithm from the simple differentiation and peakvalue's checking for identifying uterine contraction, and decay static return of value and Fourier analysis technology of the average filter of wherein movement allows to measure Fetal Heart Rate.Extra time and frequency domain can be applied with further precision processing data and improve accuracy and concordance.

With reference now to Fig. 3, system can calculate and determine the index of fetus and/or pregnant woman health in real time.Such as, system can perform spectrum analysis for the range bin in the matrix (being realized by the reflection associated with each range bin) in each different inspection degree of depth.In this example, fast Fourier transform (FFT) window of movement is applied to determine the intensity of each frequency component of the reflected signal in each range bin in a period of time.The frequency in each time window with maximum intensity can be determined and is recorded in time plot to provide the visual display of Fetal Heart Rate as vector.The accuracy of the method confirms by comparing Fetal Heart Rate measured value with ultrasound wave Fetal Heart Rate monitor.

Fig. 3 illustrates that one of the process invention of the characteristic index for extracting fetus and/or pregnant woman health associated with spectrum analysis is out of shape.In this example, index (such as, heart rate) is determined by using mobile FFT window to perform calculating.In this example, the frequency having maximum intensity in certain window is confirmed as Fetal Heart Rate.

Build and use the early stage Proof of Concept model of system described herein to determine Fetal Heart Rate.The example of some from the data that this testing equipment is collected illustrates in Figure 4 A.Fig. 4 A is the diagram of the maximum measuring frequency using the earlier prototype equipment compared with ultrasound wave Fetal Heart Rate monitor.In this example, use width is the mobile FFT window of 3 seconds, and wherein 95% of each subsequent window is overlapping with in front window.This application to mobile FFT method provides the Fetal Heart Rate assessment of basic continous and measures, and minimizes spectral leakage, thus increases reliability and the confidence level of measured value and value of calculation.The mobile FFT window procedure of high superposed performs to determine whether the measured value in each range bin shows the behavior of instruction Fetal Heart Rate on each range bin.

Fig. 4 B the fetal heartbeat determined by above-mentioned prototype UWB system 401 and ready-made fetal heartbeat monitor 403 be shown another compare.Signal more closely.

Fig. 4 C and 4D illustrates the extraction of the uterine contraction information from same prototype equipment.As mentioned above, identical reflectance data can be analyzed with simultaneously or determine fetal heartbeat and/or Fetal Heart Rate and anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction concurrently.Therefore, excessive sampling can be avoided.

System can for each range bin of one or more index checkings of fetus and/or pregnant woman health in the iterative process of circulation; But each range bin not necessarily shows the behavior indicating one or more index.Therefore, system be adjusted to isolation one or more degree of depth with from represent required one or more indexs characteristic range bin in catch reflection.In some distortion, system can usage flag be determined to use which range bin to determine one or more indexs of fetus and/or pregnant woman health.Such as, because signal can pass through parent completely, therefore, the labelling at the parent position around instruction fetus can be used (such as, uterine contraction) determine obtain the degree of depth in lie, the degree of depth therefore can be used to reduce the matrix part scope that will check when determining fetus and/or pregnant woman health index.Further, the physiological marker position of expansion can help the index isolating and confirm institute's procuratorial work.

In some distortion, system can comprise the logic whether having penetrated maternal tissue for determining to transmit and be enough to reach the known heart degree of depth.Penetrate measure can further by system for estimating which (a bit) range bin most probable shows the behavior of instruction fetal rhythm activity.Such as, the method can determine the relative dielectric constant that will be launched the tissue that signal penetrates.Relative dielectric constant be one without unit constant, for calculating the light velocity by different medium.Table 1 below illustrates in the value determining to penetrate the relative dielectric constant whether being enough to the various tissues considered when arriving fetal rhythm:

Tissue	Relative dielectric constant
		Dry skin	36.59
Muscle	50.82
		Fat	5.12
Uterus	55.31
		Amniotic fluid	60.00

Table 1: the relative dielectric constant of organization type

Known dielectric constant is included in distance by radar equation, below describes in equation 1.

d = \frac{v}{2 f} = \frac{c}{2 \sqrt{ϵ_{r}} f} = \frac{ct}{2 \sqrt{ϵ_{r}}}

(equation 1)

By the differing dielectric constant on different depth in different distance storehouse, as shown in equation 2 below, then relation is extended to:

Σ_{i = 1}^{W} t_{i} = Σ_{i = 1}^{W} \frac{{2 d}_{i} \sqrt{ϵ_{r}}}{c} = \frac{2}{c} Σ_{i = 1}^{W} d_{i} \sqrt{ϵ_{r_{i}}}

(equation 2)

By this relation determined, system can determine that the signal launched arrives the propagation time needed for fetal rhythm (or other fetus/anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical landmarks) of special body.In one case, wherein system uses fixing time of return.This time of return can be used for determining when or whether the signal launched arrives fetal rhythm (or other labelling).Such as, as shown in equation 3 below, in one case, we can determine that the time of return of last range bin is 5.7 nanoseconds (ns).This value can be dependent on supposition or the estimation of the thickness of run into tissue fragment.Generally speaking, skin, fat thickness and be known to the distance of fetal rhythm.

Σ_{i = 1}^{W} t_{i} \leq 5.7 ns

(equation 3)

When using fixing time of return calibration system, usefully, suppose that the relative dielectric constant of other tissue that the signal launched runs into or medium (not comprising skin and fat) is identical.Such as, in one case, it is the average of relative dielectric constant of uterus, amniotic fluid and muscle that whole relative dielectric constant is assumed to be, thus is value 55.38.In this case, wherein emission parameter is fixed, and can determine whether sensor can check the fetal rhythm of each individual mother.Under specific circumstances, mother physiology form and structure may not allow to use specific fixed calibration to carry out imaging to fetal rhythm.

Because the position of anatomical features (such as, the heart, uterus etc. of fetal rhythm, carcass, mother) is moved, therefore reflected signal can present the mobile image of different " storehouse (bin) " interior rendering content in matrix.Therefore, the change of the energy reflected in each storehouse can be used for determining various motion frequency, thus checks each index.System can analyze a series of storehouse.

Fig. 5 illustrates a kind of method using system determination foetus health index (such as, Fetal Heart Rate) described herein.

By detecting the peak value of fetal heartbeat signal and the cycle calculated between successive heartbeat, then ask the inverse in this cycle with computation rate to determine Fetal Heart Rate.Specifically, a kind of method detecting heart beating in data completes by multiple step.Limited waveform segment can be obtained and band filter can be applied with outstanding Fetal Heart Rate waveform.Auto-associating function can be used with any cycle movement observed in outstanding data segment.Expect that the cycle movement be observed may correspond in fetal heartbeat.Then use a kind of algorithm to search the local maximum of data segment, this value corresponds to the peak value of single heartbeat waveform.Sample number between continuous peak value can be calculated, and can calculate the cycle of fetal heartbeat according to sample rate.Fetal Heart Rate is by expecting inverse to calculate to fetal rhythm active cycle.

Similarly, uterine contraction is determined in one or more positions that equipment described herein can be used for according to corresponding to Uterus wall.In a distortion, by calculating the huge difference of the skew that each time upper radar returns to detect uterine contraction.Average by calculating several seconds upper radar return signal determines poised state.Then uterine contraction is detected by the standard deviation between the offset level during skew in calculated equilibrium state and uterine contraction.If this standard deviation is greater than given threshold value, then the great variety of tentative standard difference is caused by anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction.This threshold value is by repeatedly testing anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction to determine.

In operation, system and method support described herein monitors and assesses multiple feature providing the useful information closing conceived and farrowing interval fetus and pregnant woman health.Such as, this system can monitor the further feature of motion (body kinematics) and such as anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate and/or the intensity etc. and so on associated with mother's uterus fetus.Multiple indexs of the fetus monitored and/or pregnant woman health can be used for the anemia of pregnant woman/fetus index (NMI) producing combination according to the various functional measurement values relevant to Placenta Hominis health.Extremely important to allow assessment to depart from relevant NMI owing to being created as human heart or breathing NMI, therefore system described herein is correspondingly supported to collect significant data in the mode of non-invasive from fetus, comprising all-around exercises, heart rate and the rhythm of the heart, the variability associated and periodic breathing, these data can be used for creating whole fetus NMI.Introduce spendable fetus NMI component below.Certainly, each index also can present individually or apply, and can be converted into familiar form (such as, for the beats per minute etc. of heart rate) or keep not changing.

Such as, this system can allow in the mode of non-intrusive from the intrauterine fetal movements of motion tracking mother, be commonly called " play belly counting ", this counting support with more accurately and clinically more significant mode come manually play belly counting technology assessment foetus health situation.In addition, the present invention also supports to monitor neonate body kinematics and breathing.Each in these parameters can by system monitoring and assessment.

In some distortion, this system monitors that multiple physiological movement is to form multiple independent NMI simultaneously, these NMI then by integrated with " gathering NMI " of creating state needed for specific part observed in instruction main body.Such as, only need a sensor to collect required data, thus multiple index is provided simultaneously.In some cases, the data from two or more UWB sensors or a sensor array can be used for increasing availability of data and accuracy.Such as, a set NMI version is heart NMI, formed together with its cardiac is integrated into breathing NMI and can indicate the measured value when main body (fetus and/or mother) departs from towards unusual condition (such as, bradycardia or tachycardia) from required NMI.As long as there is proper motion, doctor is just unlikely concerned about the holistic health of patient.But the NMI (showing " exception " motion or movable) departing from selection may be notified to the doctor that preemptively can make response to the reason departing from NMI.Therefore, this system can be moved to allow doctor or medical treatment and nursing person to make the response of trying to be the first as early as possible by Monitor and track abnormal physiology.

Such as, this system can allow by monitoring that multiple index (preferably monitor or use same matrix to monitor) determines fetus, anemia of pregnant woman and health of newborns simultaneously, and these indexs can be used to produce one or more NMI, thus allow departing from of NMI scope that is that next monitor and predict or that expect.With (predetermined) NMI of expection or each index any depart from can be registered by system and the mother that can be informed treating physician as soon as possible and need to obtain medical nursing to avoid any complication associated with the health status of fetus, neonate or mother itself.This system is particularly very suitable for determining FHR variability according to successively heartbeat, and is suitable for long-term trend analysis.

As mentioned above, this system also can detect and monitor the intrauterine fetal movement of mother.Hypokinesia is regarded as reliable fetal distress measurement index in gestation last three middle of the month in diagnosis and treatment, and can combine with the measured value of FHR, FHR variability and fetal respiration.The method of evaluation fetal distress depends on and utilizes ultrasound wave directly to observe fetal movement from anemia of pregnant woman or have invasive fetus EKG (usually needing still to be positioned at the intrauterine fetal scalp of simultaneously applying of mother fetus to monitor).These methods or be easy to occur to observe property mistake (counting of mother is incorrect), or the professional equipment (ultrasound wave) needing to be not suitable for that family uses, or the wrong report of such as recording product (EKG) and so on is provided.System described herein can provide a kind of portable reliable apparatus of uniqueness, and this equipment does not need main equipment, does not need technical staff's operating system or uses the unreliable element of such as electrode and so on.Be combined with the individualized NMI ability of each gestation of confirmation, system can provide a kind of method by identifying and the departing from of the desired value of each index or NMI, prompting about potential pregnant problem is provided as soon as possible, thus avoids catastrophic event in the future, such as premature labor or Meconium aspiration.

Directly observing fetal movement and while comparing with fetal movement NMI, this system also can be used for following the tracks of simultaneously described with the departing from of anemia of pregnant woman NMI.Such as, this system can follow the tracks of the change of mother's cardiac function, and this is the sign of preeclampsia (common condition of pregnancy duration).In addition, this system can allow to be formed main body specific NMI with follow the tracks of gestation three months, centre and last three months periods stroke volume and kinemic expection significantly increase, thus avoid going wrong, in these problems, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for neonates ward most important and cause exploitation and sell the various baby monitoring gear being intended to avoid SIDS.The SIDS of neonate and older baby and the system that other is breathed or cardiac function unusual condition can be installed in family reliably monitor, thus increase the dimension of protection by the asystole that detects baby or arrhythmia or respiratory failure.In addition, when providing feedback for general user (such as neonatal father and mother), the use of NMI and necessary with departing from of NMI.

Such as, equipment described herein and system can be suitable for neonate or baby and be configured to monitor that baby or neonate are to avoid SIDS.In some distortion, for monitoring that the system of neonate or young infant can comprise sensor (such as, disposable sensor or reusable sensor) and receive the processor (native processor or teleprocessing unit) of reflection (UWB) data from sensor.By any configuration described herein, use one or more sensor as a part for SIDS monitor.

In any system described herein and equipment, system can comprise UWB generator or source.UWB generator generally produces one or more UWB pulse, and can simultaneously according to timing and composition need configure pulse.Any assembly described herein can be connected to power supply, and this power supply can be rechargeable battery or wall power adapter or other external power adapter.In the many distortion described herein, this system comprises described intervalometer or synchronous timer.Such as, synchronous timer coordinates the application of UWB pulse to help to form matrix described herein by signal processor.

Any distortion described herein can comprise controller (such as, system controller), and it can be discrete element, also can be integrated with one or more other element (comprising signal processor).This controller can comprise control logic, and it is for triggering the timing of UWB signal transmitting and whole system.In some distortion, this controller comprises one or more user input, and it is for activation system/equipment, for cancelling activation system/equipment, or for revising the behavior of system/device.These inputs can be buttons, rotating disk, slider, touch screen or the receptor for receiving the long-range instruction provided.The instruction being supplied to controller can allow to revise just monitored parameter (such as, health indicator), or they can revise timing (be configured to automatic ON/OFF when system or impose pulse).

These systems, equipment and method can be used for following the tracks of Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) variability (key index of fetal distress).FHR constantly changes from baseline.This variability reflects healthy nervous system, chemoreceptor, pressure receptor and cardiac response ability.Premature labor reduces variability; Therefore, before 28 weeks, stability bandwidth is very low.Variability should become normally after 32 weeks.Fetal anoxia, congenital cardiac anomaly and fetus heart-hurry also cause variability to reduce.Successively heartbeat or short term variations be FHR around baseline with the amplitude oscillation of 5 to 10 heart beatings (BPM) per minute.Secular change is vibrated slightly slow in heart rate, and frequency is 3 to 10 cycles per minute and amplitude is 10 to 25BPM.With regard to clinical, lack successively heartbeat variability more important than lacking secular change, and have emissary.This system can follow the tracks of this successively variational shortage of heartbeat by the system in combination of multiple novel aspect and these novel aspect.First, the dependency of this system to best sensor localization is less, because it checks comprise the movable a large amount of contents of FHR.The second, this system keeps track and measurement real heart histokinesis, but not the electronic signal of instruction cardiomotility.3rd, this system does not rely on carries out electrical contact with main body or sound contacts, and can compensate the change of lie.4th, this system can use in the mode of non-intrusive at any time, does not need to apply electrode or acoustic gel in advance.5th, this system uses multiple inspection degree of depth to guarantee to obtain the data of instruction fetal rhythm activity.6th, this system can isolate maternal heart rate (this heart rate can cause the variational false readings of FHR) rapidly and accurately.7th, this system comprises multiple method for cross-check FHR activity.8th, this system checks volume to collect to have high-resolution and fine-grained data with high frequency from target, thus allows, based on successively heartbeat, to perform the assessment of more detailed FHR variability in real time.9th, this system avoids using the demand of the assembly (such as, fetal scalp electrode) having invasive, avoids by monitoring the potential problems causing larger harm.Tenth, new analysis is included in this system support in, and these analyses can provide the extraneous information about fetal distress.

As mentioned above, one or more UWB sensor can be used for equipment described herein and system.Such as, system can comprise multiple UWB sensor.Each sensor can comprise one and be configured to simultaneously as the antenna of Tx and Rx antenna, or sensor can comprise multiple antenna, such as independent Tx and Rx antenna.Be used as the individual antenna of Tx and Rx if used, then this antenna can comprise emitter, RF switch between receptor and antenna element simultaneously.

When use is greater than the antenna of (such as, comprising the sensor being greater than), system can have the coupling that maybe can arrange predetermined between antenna set or appointment.Such as, multipair antenna can be used and can carry out being coupled so that each Rx antenna (or having the antenna of Rx function) and specific Tx antenna cooperative, and this Tx antenna need not be identical with the Tx antenna on each sensor.Such as, multiple UWB sensor can use on the diverse location of mother, and wherein each sensor comprises a pair Tx and Rx antenna.These sensors and Rx and Tx antenna thereof can be configured to the one work in two kinds of basic models, such as single base or many bases (bistatic) pattern.Monostatic radar operationally makes Tx and Rx antenna be arranged in same position (as traditional UWB radar), and many base systems allow not to be positioned at the Tx antenna of same position and one or more Rx antenna works together.Such as, be positioned at Tx/Rx on the sensor at mother's abdominal part top to can transmitted pulse, and the one or more reception antennas being positioned at the second position (such as, being positioned at bottom abdominal part) can receive from exomonental reflection.Many bases technology can be used for improving reflected signal quality.Such as, if the first type surface of fetal rhythm is not close to vertical with the direction of propagation (best reflection), then many bases can be used to operate and to improve reflected signal quality.Therefore, some distortion in, system can comprise the one or more Tx of having antenna " master " sensor and one or more have reception (Rx) antenna " from " sensor.Bistatic (2 antennas) situation also can be extended to real many bases (two or more reception antennas) situation by system, and the latter also supports front scattering technology.In front scattering, one comprises the right sensor of Tx/Rx antenna and is placed in primary importance (such as, be positioned on the left of mother's abdominal part), comprise the second right sensor of Tx/Rx antenna and be placed in the second position (such as, being positioned on the right side of mother's abdominal part).Like this, the Tx signal in left side can be received by right side Rx, and the Tx signal on right side can be received by left side Rx.These technology can be used for isolating better and following the tracks of F/A.

System described herein or Adaptable System.Such as, one or more systematic parameter can be modified to optimize the required reflection received, and reduces the unwanted reflection received to the full extent simultaneously.Such as, system can allow to be switched to bistatic operation from single base automatically and/or manually.In some distortion, system can be collected anemia of pregnant woman's heart and/or breath data and leach or deduct these data from the fetus data suspected.In some distortion, system is configured to the fetus of the reflection received and storage and/or pregnant woman health index (such as, fetal rhythm moves) model to carry out associating to isolate these indexs better.

In operation, fetal monitor described herein can use in the almost any stage in L&D process, and this point is different from current available monitor, and current monitor is limited to position and the activity of fetus in mother's body.Therefore, system described herein and equipment can be used for allowing the persistent surveillance fetus when mother transfers childbirth to from paroxysmal pain, even allow the persistent surveillance when Cesarean esction.Such as, can use multiple antennas (multisensor) system, wherein one or more sensors with Tx/Rx antenna dynamically reappose (cranking arm or wireless transceiver module) to minimize the interference prepared childbirth or operation.

As mentioned above, sensor (comprise Rx and Tx antenna, and preprocessing electronics and/or logic) can be disposable sensor.Such as, the disposable sensor with antenna can be configured to and mother's contact skin, such as, contact in the mode adhered to.In order to keep health, the sensor element with antenna can be disposed after every use.Antenna module can comprise the RF signal amplifier for above-mentioned pretreatment object.

In some distortion, system is suitable for applied energy to reduce or be restricted to obtain the necessary energy level of clearly signal, minimizes the gross energy being exposed to mother and/or fetus simultaneously.Such as, the system that can adjust emission level adaptively can comprise the function of the RF energy level automatically measuring the index (such as, fetal heartbeat) received.Then this system can perform the energy level of measurement and comparing of target level.Then difference is supplied to emitter to increase or to reduce the energy level of transmitting, thus makes the energy level received meet required goal gradient.This compensation allows fetus can not be exposed to the RF exceeding necessary degree, and compensates the change of anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure.

Any equipment described herein or system also can be parts for the system comprising server, network or other element, and described server, network or other element allow to have measured and/or calculated data in real time or according to the message reference of having recorded.Such as, in some distortion, system described herein comprises the UWB sensor with Tx/Rx antenna (or antenna to), and this sensor also has processor, and this processor is used for signal processing and system management; This system also can comprise local storage.The data caught in one or more test session can be stored in local sensor memorizer.Test data wireless or wired mode can be transferred to the computer system or surveillance that can comprise server.Such as, test data can be transferred to wireless network modem wirelessly, is then transferred to the webserver.Data can be stored on the server, to be retrieved by computer system, hand-held intelligent phone or Medical Instruments.The information retrieved can be shown by computer system, smart phone or Medical Instruments, analyzes or print.In this example, server, network or surveillance can be regarded as a part for system, or and systematic position.

In some distortion, wireless network and associated server thereof can simultaneously by data from multiple sensor transmissions to the webserver.

Fig. 6 illustrates the distortion comprising the system of server of the information of two or more indexs for transmitting relevant fetus or fetus and pregnant woman health.In this example, system comprises the UWB sensor with a pair antenna.Microsensor in this example is made up of one or more UWB radar transceiver, embedded processor, local nonvolatile memory, user interface, rechargeable battery and wireless communication link (such as, bluetooth).One or more UWB radar transceiver also receives according to producing a series of UWB pulse from UWB transceiver to the round transition time of the paid close attention to dissection degree of depth reflection formed.One or more transceiver can be co-located in the housing holding sensor circuit balance, or is accommodated in the independent separable housing that is connected with sensor base.Separated casing for transceiver allows to remove and change the Sensor section contacted with patient.Connection between separated casing and sensor base is made up of electric connector and machanical fastener.

The entirety that embedded processor in this example is responsible for sensor controls, the collection of radar data and pretreatment, fetus and the identification of uterine activity, this locality of data store, with the mutual of mother and transfer data to smart phone.Radar parameter under programme-control will comprise radar state (enable/forbid), pulse recurrence frequency (PRF), focal depth, the power of transmission, receptor gain and scan rate.

The radar data received will be carried out digitized and process by embedded processor.Basic handling can comprise noise reduction and isolation anatomical motion.Once be isolated, the object in motion just can be analyzed to determine that this motion corresponds to fetal rhythm activity, fetal movement or uterine contraction by the various technology of use further.The combination of fetal rhythm movable up time and frequency domain technology, binding pattern identification is isolated.Eartbeat interval is measured and the high-pass filtering of heart return of value can be utilized to reduce the time width (timespread) of cardiac reflex, thus provides more discrete waveform to increase accuracy of measurement.Corresponding to uterine contraction under a cloud exercise data will with according to from radar to the relative distance of each anatomical layers (such as, fat, uterus and amniotic sac) and fetus, the result using static technique to obtain associates.The reduced data that, fetal movement movable by fetal rhythm is formed with uterine contraction can be stored in local nonvolatile memory together with timestamp.Sensor can comprise enough internal memories to store the data from multiple test program.

Embedded processor by can listen with the combination of visual detector and one or more exchanger and mother mutual.Audible indicator (if being included) can be made up of with the drive circuit associated audio tweeter.Then processor can synthesize audible sound, such as imitate conventional cardiac common in auscultation " thump " audible sound of pattern.Can listen pattern can with Fetal Heart Rate and radar signal amplitude scaled versions, thus allow user (comprising mother) by maximize audible sound optimize sensing station.Visual detector at least and can indicate the lamp collecting data to form by power on light.Other visual detector can comprise with the light source of Fetal Heart Rate flicker or character display---such as, and the LCD of instruction Fetal Heart Rate.Battery charge level is notified to mother by regulating the icon (if being included) on power on light or character display.Can complete with the test of visual detector notice by listening simultaneously.Hand switch at least comprises Energy control, volume controls and mute button.Sensor has and automatically shuts down feature, and this feature not on health, or forbids radar when sensor exceeds the advised scope of application at sensor automatically.

In the example shown in Fig. 6, when sensor to be placed in folder and to be inquired about by smart phone, processor can upload the data to smart phone from memory search data.Standard wireless transmission method by comprising School Affairs and acknowledge agreement guarantees data integrity.As mentioned above, sensor can comprise other probe to improve accuracy and physiological signal isolating power.These probes can comprise accelerometer or pressure transducer.

Example shown in Fig. 6 also comprises charging clip.Charging clip is responsible for the battery charging in sensor.It also can be used for the sensor supported when not using.Finally, charging clip can enable the radio communication circuit in sensor, prevent sensor be positioned at mother with it time transmission data, thus reduce further the RF of mother and fetus exposed.

System shown in Fig. 6 also comprises communication equipment.Communication equipment can be included or integrated to provide several functions.Such as, the such as communication equipment of " smart phone " and so on, this equipment can run and be exclusively used in the application that fetus monitors sensor.Comparable function can be enabled for a series of commercially available smart phone and PDA.

Such as, in figure 6, system can work in the flrst mode, and this pattern is scan pattern, for helping the position of user's sensors configured.This system also can to comprise the second pattern with Display Summary data, by its server, summary data be sent to health care supplier.As mentioned above, communication equipment can under sensor is in scan pattern time feedback is supplied to user.Smart phone or PDA can activate speaker system and notify that whether user sensor is in place.General applicative notifications sensor is in place, PDA/ smart phone then just can minute or other suitable be spaced apart unit more neofetus/pregnant woman health index, such as Fetal Heart Rate.This pattern can be used as, by the autonomous place tool of user, in test process, not needing this pattern.But application can be used to obtain all summary datas from sensor and these data are sent to health care supplier.

In this example, complete data transmission procedure can be started when having scanned and application start communicates.Communication equipment can use all data in smart phone application access sensor.Once application is opened, application just can with sensor communication to check whether the data in flash memory are up-to-date.If data are up-to-date, then user can perform the transmission of data to be analyzed, otherwise can not transmit.Once analytical data, just there is summary data figure in application screen.Make a summary the one in display fetus/pregnant woman health index or the figure of preferred many persons or other summary.Such as, summary can completely according to the figure of time showing Fetal Heart Rate, fetal movement occurrence flag and uterine contraction occurrence flag.

When user prepares to send the data to health care supplier, application can allow user such as by pressing the button forward abstract data.Smart phone application can serve as Email supplier, because data can be saved as tab-delimited text and be pasted on Email by it.Summary data can be saved in the memorizer of smart phone/PDA, and user can check summary data at any time.Application also can be user provides the comprehensive summary of 2 or more tests to monitor the situation of fetus, also can provide one week or summary for more time.

In certain embodiments, system and method is designed to the information of simultaneously collecting about fetus and pregnant woman health activity, uterine contraction, fetus and anemia of pregnant woman breathe, and other index of anemia of pregnant woman and foetus health.System can based on ultra broadband (UWB) Radar Technology, and this technology is particularly suitable for exploitation miniature, low-power medical monitoring system safely and effectively.ULTRA-WIDEBAND RADAR is similar with ultrasound wave on concept of function, but based on electromagnetic energy but not sound wave energy.Different from ultrasound wave, RFUWB sensor does not need skin gel and does not need and contact skin.This system can comprise the sensor of low level radio frequency (RF) energy pulse launching a series of extremely short persistent period, and this energy will propagate in human body.When energy enters health, a small amount of incident energy is reflected back toward equipment with such feature, and these features are along with irradiating the degree of depth, dielectric property and the motion change organized.Reflection can then can by the information using complicated digital signal treatment technology described herein to carry out analyzing to extract about the type of bottom layer tissue and organ, position, size and relative motion.Shortest pulse duration allows radar to collect the information that distance much shorter, resolution is thin more clearly compared with more traditional narrow radar system.

In certain embodiments, system can comprise two primary clusterings---control module and disposable band, and can directly and obstetrical ward IT system or other IT system, or the head of a bed control board communications be connected with obstetrical ward IT system or other IT system.Control module can comprise embedded processor, communication link or module (wireless or wired), nonvolatile memory, battery and most of radar circuit.Embedded processor can control UWB radar and communication link can be used to transfer data to IT system, comprising term IT system.IT system can change according to the difference of website, but generally comprises the assembly of such as data storage server, multiple spot monitor, terminal and printer and so on.Control module also can process data, and wherein treating capacity depends on the availability of other process resource.Such as, control module accessible site extract expect Fetal Heart Rate, maternal heart rate and uterine contraction the Digital Signal Processing resource required for physiological signal, thus waveform after filtering and summary data are sent to IT system or instrument system carries out showing and storing.Alternatively, initial data (or the data processed a little) can be transferred to head of a bed control plate, and this control plate is then responsible for the major part work of combine digital signal processing and result is passed to IT system.

Disposable band or sensor can comprise antenna structure, and may comprise the sub-fraction of radar electric device.Control module can snap onto on disposable band or otherwise be attached on disposable band, and wherein assembled sensor is positioned at the abdominal part of mother and uses accessible site to the paster fix in position of band.The physical location of sensor can be determined to optimize fetal heart rate signal by care-giver and may depend on fetal presentation---and inclination position, horizontal position, vertex presentation go out or breech presentation.Such as, as illustrated in fig. 12, in the vertex presentation situation that the time about 90% all can occur, fetus 1200 is normally positioned at uterus 1202, and wherein head 1204 is downwards and towards birth canal 1206.In this case, band can be placed in the normal place of abdominal part 1208.In the horizontal position situation shown in Figure 12 B, fetus 1200 is laterally placed in uterus 1202, therefore band can be placed in position top for standard band position on abdominal part 1208, depend on the physical location of fetus.In the breech presentation situation shown in Figure 12 C, the half of buttocks of fetus 1200 or foot are towards birth canal 1206, and therefore band can be placed in position more top on abdominal part 1208, depends on lie.In addition, in During Pregnancy, the fetus position generally can change, and along with the development of gestation, fetus declines towards birth canal further in abdominal part.Point in another configuration of the low-resource setting that wherein there is not IT system special; control module and band can be integrated in single fixation kit; and basic Presentation Function can be comprised---such as, the small-sized integrated LCD panel of basic FHR and uterine contraction (UC) track or signal can be shown.Other configuration also can support that multiple anemia of pregnant woman/fetus monitors requirement, available resources and medical infrastructure.

Such as, Figure 13 A-13C illustrates various band or sensor configuration, and these configurations can provide the antenna structure of improvement to locate for various fetal presentation.Such as, Figure 13 A illustrates the linear strip 1300 with multiple antenna structure 1302, wherein antenna structure linear arrangement.Band 1300 can laterally or longitudinally be placed on abdominal part.Figure 13 B-13D illustrates that multiple band 1310 configures, and these configurations allow antenna structure 1312 to be placed on abdominal part with rectangle or foursquare layout.Such as, band 1310 can take H configuration, X configuration or square or rectangular arrangement, and wherein antenna structure 1312 is positioned at arm end or is positioned at turning.The single strap arrangements of such permission covers larger area than linear strip configuration.Figure 13 E-13G illustrates that the multiple band allowing antenna structure 1322 to be placed on abdominal part with trapezoidal layout configures 1320.Because fetus is generally discharged towards birth canal, the distance that the distance that therefore can advantageously make lower surface antenna structure put together is put together than upper surface antenna structure is nearer.Such as, band can take the configuration of W shape, V-arrangement configuration, ladder configuration or triangular arrangement.These configurations are particularly suitable for normal presentation, i.e. vertex presentation.

Sensor instrument distance example

In order to be applied to L&D, UWB medical treatment radar system can detect the motion owing to causing with gestation and the basic physiological process that associates of giving a birth, comprising Fetal Heart Rate, maternal heart rate, anemia of pregnant woman's breathing, fetal respiration and uterine contraction.In fact, UWB sensor can be designed to sampling from the internal anatomy of mother and the Received signal strength of reflection,fetal from emission energy.Sampler can be triggered by the accurate variable time delay between transmitter samples device and receptor sampler, and wherein time delay equals, from transmitting antenna to the paid close attention to dissection degree of depth, then to return the round transition time of reception antenna.This delay may change corresponding on the time window comprising the aortal region of anatomy of uterus, fetus and anemia of pregnant woman, and can consider any delay additionally needed for compensation sensor internal circuit and propagation delay.

Such as, UWB sensor can be configured to fill order's base station operation and have the emitter and receptor that are in same position, the circuit wherein measured in sensor and propagation delay are about 10ns, 20ns, 30ns, 40ns or 50ns, and required dissection distance is about 50cm, wherein 50cm is considered to be enough to cover from the surperficial distance to her spinal column of the skin of abdomen of mother, is therefore designed to comprise uterus, fetus and aorta.In other words, required dissection distance is enough to cover the length from the skin of abdomen surface of mother to her spinal column or the degree of depth, this distance may be less than about 50,40 or 30cm in certain embodiments, or be greater than about 30,40 or 50cm, or between about 20 to 80cm, 30 to 70cm or 40 to 60cm.Minimum time postpones to be set as to equal or about and equals the circuit measured in sensor and propagation delay (can be about 10ns), simultaneously maximum time postpones to be set as the circuit that approximates greatly and measured and propagation delay (can be about 10ns) and adds round transition time (signal propagates into required distance of dissecting and then returns the time used) corresponding to required dissection distance, and this required dissections is apart from can be such as 50cm or other distance any described herein.Such as, suppose that circuit and propagation delay are 10ns, required dissection distance is 50cm, and the average dielectric constant of health is 50, then the round transition time is calculated as approximate 24ns, thus produces maximum time delay 34ns.When the step-length for changing sampler timing across the 24ns distance window of activity is set as 250ps, radial resolving power is approximate 5mm.When providing 24ns Distance geometry 250ps step-length, in distance window, 96 discrete depths or range bin will be had.

Time delay can significantly be greater than paid close attention to peak frequency speed, with discrete step 24ns distance window on change, to avoid or to reduce the aliasing in digitized signal.Providing maximum Fetal Heart Rate 240BPM or 4Hz, and when needing to make harmonic information remain the 6th harmonic wave or 24Hz, scan rate can be set as minima 50Hz.In addition, in each range bin, over-sampling is carried out and the average sample from single library is usually very useful with the way of noise reduction.In order to simplify processes, usually adopt over-sampling rate 4 or 8.Like this, by 50Hz scan rate, each scanning 96 discrete step and often walk 8 samples, receptor sample rate will be 38.4k sample per second.Owing to being averaged to 8 sample sets that often distance walks, therefore efficiently sampling rate becomes 4.8k sample per second.

Time/matrixes that then range data can have 96 row altogether arrange, and wherein often row comprise the average data in corresponding discrete distance storehouse.Line number can be dependent on required physiological data type and extracts data algorithm used.Generally speaking, row counting be set as allow to store the several seconds to several minutes data and use new data to upgrade continuously or constantly, thus provide and slide or the data window of movement.Can for market demand many algorithms technology to extract required physiologic information.In addition, dynamic distance technology can be applied so that range bin number is restricted to paid close attention to specific part.

Fetus monitors the progress of state of the art

Fetal Heart Rate and maternal heart rate possible are obscured in the challenge of any non-invasive fetus surveillance technology, especially when Fetal Heart Rate suddenly declines and is near or below maternal heart rate.Thisly obscure care-giver's decryption potential state of an illness of mistaken diagnosis mistakenly that can allow and use other fetus surveillance technology, thus hinder correct treatment.Therefore, need fetal monitoring device can distinguish these two kinds of hearts rate and follow the tracks of separately this two kinds of hearts rate exactly, and no matter whether Fetal Heart Rate is near or below maternal heart rate.Current non-invasive system generally depends on additional maternal heart rate sensor---ECG or pulse Ox---to minimize possible obscuring.

System disclosed herein and equipment can utilize unique process to complete this task based on anemia of pregnant woman/fetal anatomy structure and use the algorithm meeting signal of concern.As a setting, in some embodiment shown in Fig. 7 and 8, with the sensor 700 be placed on mother's abdominal part nearest to pay close attention to anatomical structure will be anterior uterine wall 702, then be fetus 704, uterus rear wall 706 is finally the descending aorta 708 (serving as the agency of anemia of pregnant woman's cardiomotility) of mother.These anatomical structures especially can serve as the position of fetus or the physical markings of tissue in the position of permission system and/or recognition of devices anemia of pregnant woman or tissue and abdominal part.The combination of the tissue of this anatomical structure and the meticulous range resolution ratio of UWB sensor 700 causes to gather in unique range bin 800 of limited quantity from the return of value of each in these structures, as shown in Figure 8.The actual range storehouse comprised from the return of value of each structure will depend on multiple factor, comprising with the absolute distance of sensor 700, intermediary's type and the anatomical structure orientation relative to direction of propagation of energy 710.Like this, the return of value from anterior uterine wall 702 will mainly appear in shallow range bin, and the return of value from fetus 704 will appear in somewhat dark range bin.Similarly, the return of value from uterus rear wall 706 will appear at appearing in darker storehouse and from the return of value of anemia of pregnant woman's aorta 708 in the darkest storehouse.In contrast, whole abdominal cavity is caused to move and cause the return of value from respiratory activity to appear in most of range bin owing to breathing mother's diaphragm movement caused.

Second, with reference now to Fig. 7 and 8, if fetus 700 is comprised in intrauterine, then the return of value from fetal rhythm 802 is being limited in comprising from the storehouse of the return of value of anterior uterine wall 702 and the storehouse between comprising from the storehouse of the return of value of uterus rear wall 706 by being found.On the contrary, because anemia of pregnant woman's aorta 708 is positioned at outside border, uterus, the return of value therefore from anemia of pregnant woman's aorta 708 will be positioned at outside the range bin that comprises from the return of value in uterus.So uterus movement can be used for identifying border, uterus and helps to define fetus and the aortal position of anemia of pregnant woman.

3rd, each anatomical structure that sensor irradiates generally can show unique motor pattern, such permission system and these anatomical structures of recognition of devices in the frequency range of uniqueness.Uterine contraction causes whole uterus muscle structure aperiodically or brokenly to be shunk simultaneously.Uterine contraction generally continues tens of second and shows uterine volume entirety to reduce, and Uterus wall thickness correspondingly increases simultaneously.During uterine contraction the displacement of uterine cancer cell or motion general also than the displacement of heart tissue between heart beat period or movement degree much bigger.Breathe by anemia of pregnant woman the common abdominal exercise that causes mainly periodic, (typical speed range is breathed for 10 to 40 times per minute) the period of short duration aperiodicity section of being talked and hold one's breath interrupts.By comparison, anemia of pregnant woman and heart of fetus motion have periodically, and for mother, typical speed is 50 to 90 heart beatings per minute, and for fetus, typical speed is 100 to 200 heart beatings per minute.As mentioned above, anemia of pregnant woman and fetal heart frequency can have larger difference according to the difference of medical condition.

As mentioned above, the motor pattern of major anatomical structure is unique, and has difference each other.Such as, Fetal Heart Rate is derived by actual tire heart wall motion, and maternal heart rate is derived by the radius change of the descending aorta of mother.No matter anemia of pregnant woman or fetus, actual cardiac wall motion is formed by the processes of two associations---atrial systole and ventricular systole, and the waveform finally detected generally has the discrete portions that two correspond to atrial movement and ventricle motion.This two-part relative amplitude depends on transducer arrangements and heart orientation.In contrast, independent studies shows, aorta motion (radius change of descending aorta) is leading primarily of the association reflection from the blood pressure ripple of ventricular systole and the ventricular pressure wave of impact large artery trunks branch (such as ilium).Therefore, the motion of anemia of pregnant woman's aorta is different from tire heart wall motion, and this difference can be utilized to distinguish fetal rhythm motion and anemia of pregnant woman's heart movement further.Similarly, the feature of being breathed by the anemia of pregnant woman observing general abdomen organ's motion measurement is to have the waveform of similar half-sine wave, and it is very different that what this waveform and heart movement and uterine contraction moved associate waveform.Other discernible fetal movements such as comprises fetus leg exercise and fetus arm motion or is referred to as fetal limb motion, and such as fetus kicks or punches.Stand relatively large compared with tire heart wall motion and the fetal tissue of the irregular or long-term integral shift of frequency is attributable to fetus kicks and/or punch.

Because the motion of these dissimilar structures is different, therefore can adopt the mode identification technology with adaptive-filtering and/or matched filtering function that heart movement and uterus movement and anemia of pregnant woman are breathed isolation.Such as, mode identification technology can based on the analysis to any feature (such as waveform shape, frequency, width and/or amplitude) disclosed herein.Other feature that can be used for algorithm for pattern recognition comprises time and the degree of depth of signal.By known signal or template signal are associated the wave filter obtaining coupling with unknown signaling, thus detect in unknown signaling whether there is template.Template signal can from various anatomical structure, comprising anemia of pregnant woman's heart, fetal rhythm, uterus, anemia of pregnant woman's aorta and other any paid close attention to anatomical structure.Fig. 9 illustrates the example waveform of the motion from the anatomical structure associated with L&D, and wherein uterine contraction is because it is with heart with breathe the time frame comparing and relatively grow and be left in the basket.Such as, as mentioned above, fetal rhythm waveform 900 can have the arch of repetition, and this arch has the different discontinuous one side of something of two amplitudes.Anemia of pregnant woman's aorta waveform 902 can have zigzag, and wherein rising part followed by the zigzag sloping portion tilted with lower steep suddenly.Anemia of pregnant woman's respiratory waveform 904 can present relatively large and wider arch, and these arches are generally in level and smooth shape.Various modes recognizer and technology can be used to come according to the various anatomical structure of these different wave pattern cognitions.

In certain embodiments, use the technology of matched filter to demonstrate and produce good result when identifying the various indexs (such as comprising maternal heart rate, anemia of pregnant woman's breathing rate, Fetal Heart Rate and uterine contraction rate) of various anatomical structure and fetus and pregnant woman health, described matched filter is based on the unique periodicity pattern of heart movement with other anatomical motion.In certain embodiments, these technology can be combined the ability to improve the various indexs identifying various anatomical structure and fetus and pregnant woman health further with frequency threshold.In certain embodiments, these technology and spatial discrimination can be extended to the heart rate identifying multiple fetus.Each fetus has unique heart rate and pattern of isolating by signal processing, thus provides the ability of simultaneously monitoring multiple heart rate in multiple birth's gestation.Similarly, the pattern recognition be combined with track algorithm allows sensor to follow the tracks of fetal rhythm within the most of the time of farrowing interval.By expansion, by comprising multiple emitter that can independently control and receptor application radar array processing technology allows Wave beam forming and wave beam to control, the resolution of improve the standard so further face and vertical, increase nappe sum signal to noise ratio simultaneously.

Experimental result

We have performed the Clinical feasibility research of IRB approval to the patient being in the active labor phase in a large number.Research equipment is prototype UWBRF sensor, and this sensor comprises single emitter and receptor and is placed on mother's abdominal part, slightly pops one's head in lower than U/S-EFM in its position.This prototype equipment can successfully extract about fetal rhythm is movable, anemia of pregnant woman breathes and the high-quality physiological data of uterine contraction.Figure 10 illustrates at use equipment (LW) and GE u/S-EFM system (GE) measures the relatively good dependency of Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) aspect.Process gather comprise the range bin of good fetal rhythm activity from multiple time domain data application self-adapting filtering to reduce random noise and transient motion.Figure 11 illustrates at this equipment of use and GE the relatively good dependency of U/S-EFM systematic survey uterine contraction (UC) aspect.In this case, process and be made up of basic medium filtering and matched filter, medium filtering is for reducing random noise and transient motion, and matched filter regulates according to uterine contraction.

As used herein, term " approximately " and " being similar to " can represent within 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or 50%.

Description to specific embodiment of the present invention above providing for the object illustrated and illustrate.These describe and not intended to be is exhaustive or limit the invention to disclosed precise forms, and according to above-mentioned instruction, obvious many amendments and distortion are possible.Such as, the feature described in one embodiment can use in another embodiment.The selection of embodiment and description are to explain principle of the present invention and practical application thereof best, thus make others skilled in the art can utilize the present invention best and be applicable to the various embodiments with various amendment of the specific use of conceiving.

Claims

1. ultra broadband (UWB) fetus surveillance, it can walk abreast and monitor the index of fetus and pregnant woman health, and described system comprises:

Sensor, it is configured to receive and launch UWB signal data, and described sensor comprises at least one antenna; And

Signal processor, it is configured to from described sensor Received signal strength data and is the reflected signal matrix according to the degree of depth and time index by information processing, and wherein said signal processor is designed to:

Determine at least two kinds of waveform patterns from described reflected signal matrix, wherein the first waveform corresponds to first anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure, and the second waveform corresponds to the first fetal anatomy structure;

Pattern recognition based on described first waveform and described second waveform identifies described first anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure and described first fetal anatomy structure; And

Based on the determination of at least two waveform patterns and the identification of anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure and fetal anatomy structure, extract multiple indexs of foetus health and pregnant woman health from described reflected signal matrix.

2. system according to claim 1, wherein said first anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure is the antetheca of pregnant woman uterus, and described first fetal anatomy structure is fetal rhythm.

3. system according to claim 1, wherein said signal processor is further designed to determines the 3rd waveform pattern from described reflected signal matrix, and wherein the 3rd waveform corresponds to second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure.

4. system according to claim 3, wherein said second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure selects from the group that rear wall and anemia of pregnant woman's aorta of pregnant woman uterus are formed.

5. system according to claim 4, the pattern recognition that wherein said signal processor is further designed to based on described 3rd waveform identifies described second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure.

6. system according to claim 5, wherein said signal processor is further designed to the identification of determination based on described 3rd waveform pattern and described second anemia of pregnant woman's anatomical structure, extracts other index of pregnant woman health from described reflected signal matrix.

7. system according to claim 1, multiple indexs of wherein said foetus health and pregnant woman health select from the group that maternal heart rate, Fetal Heart Rate, anemia of pregnant woman's uterine contraction rate, anemia of pregnant woman's breathing rate and fetal movement rate are formed.

8. system according to claim 7, wherein said signal processor is further designed to distinguishes described maternal heart rate and described Fetal Heart Rate when described Fetal Heart Rate is near or below described maternal heart rate.

9. system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises aerial array.

10. system according to claim 9, wherein said aerial array arranges with two-dimensional arrangement.

11. systems according to claim 9, wherein said aerial array arranges with ladder configuration.

12. systems according to claim 1, wherein said signal processor is further designed to determines the 3rd waveform pattern from described reflected signal matrix, and wherein the 3rd waveform corresponds to the second fetus anatomical structure.

13. systems according to claim 12, wherein said first fetal anatomy structure is the first fetal rhythm, and described second fetus anatomical structure is the second fetal rhythm.

14. systems according to claim 12, wherein said first fetal anatomy structure is the first fetal rhythm, and described second fetus anatomical structure is fetal limb.

15. systems according to claim 1, wherein said pattern recognition comprises the one or more character calculating waveform pattern, and wherein said character selects from the group that amplitude, frequency, shape and width are formed.

16. systems according to claim 1, wherein said pattern recognition comprises calculating waveform pattern shape.

17. systems according to claim 1, wherein said pattern recognition comprises described waveform application matched filter.