Method and apparatus for providing contraction information during labour

• US 20080039744A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PeriGen, Inc. (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: LMS Medical Systems, Ltd. (Halma PLC)
• Inventors: Hamilton, Emily
• Granted Patent: US 9,805,164 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/588
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0011 Foetal or obstetric data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02411 of foetuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/344 Foetal cardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4356 Assessing uterine contractions A61B5/033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4362 Assessing foetal parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/02 Measuring pulse or heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0866 involving foetal diagnosis; pre-natal or peri-natal diagnosis of the baby
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A system and apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying uterine contraction information is provided. The graphical user interface displays first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of a contraction signal. The graphical user interface also displays, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions. In specific examples of implementation, the graphical user interface is adapted for selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by the first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

Claims

1. ) A computer readable storage medium storing a program element suitable for execution by a CPU, said program element implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying uterine contraction information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to uterine contractions over time;

b) displaying first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of the contraction signal;

c) displaying concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

d) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

2. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

3. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information exceeding said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

4. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions for a time duration exceeding a predetermined time duration.

5. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving contraction medication information conveying information associated to administration of contraction inducing medication to the obstetrics patient;

b) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions; and

iii) on said contraction medication information.

6. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving fetal heart rate information;

b) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions; and

iii) on said fetal heart rate information.

7. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving fetal heart rate information;

b) receiving contraction medication information conveying information associated to administration of contraction inducing medication to the obstetrics patient;

c) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions;

iii) on said contraction medication information; and

iv) on said fetal heart rate information.

8. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said first information includes a first tracing conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;

b) said second information includes a second tracing conveying the threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) said first tracing and said second tracing being displayed in a same viewing window.

9. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 1, wherein said alarm event includes displaying a visual indicator.

10. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 1, wherein said alarm event includes causing an audio signal to be issued.

11. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 1, wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted to a remote device.

12. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 11, wherein the remote device is a device selected from the set consisting of a PDA, telephone, pager and computing terminal.

13. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 11, wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted over a network to the remote device.

14. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 8, wherein said viewing window is a first viewing window, said graphical user interface module being adapted for displaying, in a second viewing window, a third tracing indicative of occurrences of uterine contractions derived at least in part on the basis of said contraction signal.

15. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 14, wherein the third tracing indicative of the occurrence of uterine contractions in the second viewing window conveys a uterine contraction pattern over a first time segment, said graphical user interface module being adapted for being operative for:

a) displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the third tracing indicative of intensities of uterine contractions over time in the second viewing window;

b) displaying in a third viewing window a zoomed-in portion of the third tracing in the second viewing window.

16. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15, wherein said control includes a selection box.

17. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 16, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said second viewing window.

18. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface module being operative for:

a) processing said contraction signal to derive a set of contraction rate data elements, each contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements being associated to a segment of said contraction signal;

b) causing an alarm event in response to a given contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

19. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 18, wherein said graphical user interface module is operative for computing a running average of contractions in said contraction signal to derive the set of contraction rate data elements.

20. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said first information includes a first alphanumeric element conveying a rate of uterine contractions associated to an obstetrics patient;

b) said second information includes a second alphanumeric element conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) said first alphanumeric element and said alphanumeric element being displayed concurrently.

21. ) An apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying uterine contraction information, said apparatus comprising:

a) an input for receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

b) a processing unit in communication with said input, said processing unit being operative for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying uterine contraction information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for;

i) displaying first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of the contraction signal;

ii) displaying, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

iii) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) an output in communication with said processing unit, said output being suitable for releasing a signal for causing a display unit to display the graphical user interface module.

22. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

23. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information exceeding said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

24. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions for a time duration exceeding a predetermined time duration.

25. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving contraction medication information conveying information associated to administration of contraction inducing medication to the obstetrics patient;

b) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions; and

iii) on said contraction medication information.

26. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving fetal heart rate information;

b) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions; and

iii) on said fetal heart rate information.

27. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving fetal heart rate information;

b) receiving contraction medication information conveying information associated to administration of contraction inducing medication to the obstetrics patient;

c) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions;

iii) on said contraction medication information; and

iv) on said fetal heart rate information.

28. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein:

a) said first information includes a first tracing conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;

b) said second information includes a second tracing conveying the threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) said first tracing and said second tracing being displayed in a same viewing window.

29. ) An apparatus as described in claim 21, wherein said alarm event includes displaying a visual indicator.

30. ) An apparatus as described in claim 21, wherein said alarm event includes causing an audio signal to be issued.

31. ) An apparatus as described in claim 21, wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted to a remote device.

32. ) An apparatus as described in claim 31, wherein the remote device is a device selected from the set consisting of a PDA, telephone, pager and computing terminal.

33. ) An apparatus as described in claim 31, wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted over a network to the remote device.

34. ) An apparatus as described in claim 28, wherein said viewing window is a first viewing window, said graphical user interface module being adapted for displaying, in a second viewing window, a third tracing indicative of occurrences of uterine contractions derived at least in part on the basis of said contraction signal.

35. ) An apparatus as described in claim 34, wherein the third tracing indicative of the occurrence of uterine contractions in the second viewing window conveys a uterine contraction pattern over a first time segment, said graphical user interface module being adapted for being operative for:

a) displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the third tracing indicative of intensities of uterine contractions over time in the second viewing window;

b) displaying in a third viewing window a zoomed-in portion of the third tracing in the second viewing window.

36. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said control includes a selection box.

37. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said second viewing window.

38. ) An apparatus as described in claim 21, wherein said graphical user interface module being operative for:

a) processing said contraction signal to derive a set of contraction rate data elements, each contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements being associated to a segment of said contraction signal;

b) causing an alarm event in response to a given contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

39. ) An apparatus as described in claim 38, wherein said graphical user interface module being is operative for computing a running average of contractions in said contraction signal to derive the set of contraction rate data elements.

40. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein:

a) said first information includes a first alphanumeric element conveying a rate of uterine contractions associated to an obstetrics patient;

b) said second information includes a second alphanumeric element conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) said first alphanumeric element and said alphanumeric element being displayed concurrently.

41. ) A method for displaying uterine contraction information, said method comprising:

a) receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

b) displaying first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of the contraction signal;

c) displaying concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

d) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

42. ) A method as defined in claim 41, said method comprising causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

43. ) A method as defined in claim 41, said method comprising causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information exceeding said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

44. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein said method comprises causing an alarm event in response to a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions for a time duration exceeding a predetermined time duration.

45. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said method comprising:

a) receiving contraction medication information conveying information associated to administration of contraction inducing medication to the obstetrics patient;

b) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions; and

iii) on said contraction medication information.

46. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said method comprising:

a) receiving fetal heart rate information;

b) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions; and

iii) on said fetal heart rate information.

47. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the contraction signal is associated to an obstetrics patient, said method comprising:

a) receiving fetal heart rate information;

b) receiving contraction medication information conveying information associated to administration of contraction inducing medication to the obstetrics patient;

c) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part;

i) on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information;

ii) on said threshold rate of uterine contractions;

iii) on said contraction medication information; and

iv) on said fetal heart rate information.

48. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein:

a) said first information includes a first tracing conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;

b) said second information includes a second tracing conveying the threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) said first tracing and said second tracing being displayed in a same viewing window.

49. ) A method as described in claim 41, wherein said alarm event includes displaying a visual indicator.

50. ) A method as described in claim 41, wherein said alarm event includes causing an audio signal to be issued.

51. ) A method as described in claim 41, wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted to a remote device.

52. ) A method as described in claim 51, wherein the remote device is a device selected from the set consisting of a PDA, telephone, pager and computing terminal.

53. ) A method as described in claim 51, wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted over a network to the remote device.

54. ) A method as described in claim 48, wherein said viewing window is a first viewing window, said graphical user interface module being adapted for displaying, in a second viewing window, a third tracing indicative of occurrences of uterine contractions derived at least in part on the basis of said contraction signal.

55. ) A method as described in claim 54, wherein the third tracing indicative of the occurrence of uterine contractions in the second viewing window conveys a uterine contraction pattern over a first time segment, said graphical user interface module being adapted for being operative for:

a) displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the third tracing indicative of intensities of uterine contractions over time in the second viewing window;

b) displaying in a third viewing window a zoomed-in portion of the third tracing in the second viewing window.

56. ) A method as defined in claim 55, wherein said control includes a selection box.

57. ) A method as defined in claim 56, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said second viewing window.

58. ) A method as described in claim 41, wherein said graphical user interface module being operative for:

a) processing said contraction signal to derive a set of contraction rate data elements, each contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements being associated to a segment of said contraction signal;

b) causing an alarm event in response to a given contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

59. ) A method as described in claim 58, wherein said graphical user interface module being is operative for computing a running average of contractions in said contraction signal to derive the set of contraction rate data elements.

60. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein:

a) said first information includes a first alphanumeric element conveying a rate of uterine contractions associated to an obstetrics patient;

b) said second information includes a second alphanumeric element conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) said first alphanumeric element and said alphanumeric element being displayed concurrently.

61. ) A labour monitoring system comprising:

a) a sensor for receiving information indicative of occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

b) an apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying uterine contraction information, said apparatus comprising;

i) an input in communication with said sensor for receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

ii) a processing unit in communication with said input, said processing unit being operative for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying uterine contraction information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for;

(1) displaying first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, 30 the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of the contraction signal;

(2) displaying, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

(3) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions;

iii) an output in communication with said processing unit, said output being suitable for releasing a signal for causing a display unit to display the graphical user interface module;

c) a display unit in communication with the output of said apparatus, said display unit being responsive to the signal releasing by the output of the apparatus to display the graphical user interface module.

62. ) A labour monitoring system as defined in claim 61, wherein:

a) said first information includes a first tracing conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;

b) said second information includes a second tracing conveying the threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) said first tracing and said second tracing being displayed in a same viewing window.

63. ) A labour monitoring system as described in claim 61, wherein said alarm event includes displaying a visual indicator.

64. ) A labour monitoring system as described in claim 61, wherein said alarm event includes causing an audio signal to be issued.

65. ) A labour monitoring system as described in claim 61, wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted to a remote device.

66. ) A labour monitoring system as described in claim 61, wherein said graphical user interface module being operative for:

a) processing said contraction signal to derive a set of contraction rate data elements, each contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements being associated to a segment of said contraction signal;

b) causing an alarm event in response to a given contraction rate data element in said set of contraction rate data elements falling outside a limit set by said threshold rate of uterine contractions.

67. ) A labour monitoring system as described in claim 66, wherein said graphical user interface module being is operative for computing a running average of contractions in said contraction signal to derive the set of contraction rate data elements.

68. ) A server system implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying uterine contraction information, said server system storing a program element for execution by a CPU, said program element comprising:

a) first program element component for receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

b) second program element component for processing said contraction signal and issue a signal for displaying;

i) first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of the contraction signal;

ii) displaying, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) third program element component for selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

69. ) A client-server system for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying uterine contraction information, said client-server system comprising a client system and a server system, said client system and said server system operative to exchange messages over a data network, said server system storing a program element for execution by a CPU, said program element comprising:

a) first program element component executed on said server system for receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

b) a second program element component executed on said server system for sending messages to said client system for causing said client system to;

i) display first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of the contraction signal;

ii) display, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) a third program element component executed on said server system for selectively sending messages to said client system for causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

70. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 69, wherein the data network is the Internet.

71. ) An apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying uterine contraction information, said apparatus comprising:

a) means for receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

b) means for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying uterine contraction information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for;

i) displaying first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of the contraction signal;

ii) displaying concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

iii) selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions;

c) means for releasing a signal for causing a display unit to display the graphical user interface module.

72. ) A method for displaying uterine contraction information, said method comprising:

a) transmitting to a remote computing unit a contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;

b) receiving first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information corresponding to at least a portion of the contraction signal;

c) displaying a graphical user interface conveying said first information and a threshold rate of uterine contractions;

d) receiving a signal suitable for causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.

73. ) A computer readable storage medium storing a program element suitable for execution by a CPU, said program element implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying uterine contraction information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) receiving a contraction signal conveying information related to uterine contractions over time;

b) processing the contraction signal to derive first information conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;

c) displaying the first information in a viewing window;

d) displaying concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions.