Electrode Interface System

• US 20110112440A1
• Filed: 11/08/2010
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Convergent Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Euliano, Neil Russell II, Marossero, Dorothee
• Granted Patent: US 9,307,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/588
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02411 of foetuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/033 Uterine pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/288 for foetal cardiography, e.g. scalp electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/30 Input circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/344 Foetal cardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4362 Assessing foetal parameters

Abstract

An electrode interface system for providing a connection between at least one electrode and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the electrode(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The electrode interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the electrode(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynometer.

Claims

1. An interface system for interfacing multiple types of sensors to be interfaced to a maternal-fetal monitor that is not part of the interface system, wherein the interface system comprises:

a signal converter for processing at least one signal into output data that mimics electrical output from a tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter; and

a maternal-fetal monitor port interface for operably and physically connecting to the maternal-fetal monitor;

wherein the signal converter and the maternal-fetal monitor port interface are integrated into a cable-less, unitary adapter or connector.

2. An interface system comprising:

a wireless signal receiver for receiving at least one wireless signal from at least one sensor;

a signal converter connected to the wireless signal receiver, wherein the signal converter processes the at least one signal into output data that mimics electrical output from a tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter; and

a maternal-fetal monitor port interface for operably and physically connecting to a maternal-fetal monitor;

wherein the wireless signal receiver, the signal converter, and the maternal-fetal monitor port interface are integrated to form a unitary structure.

3. The interface system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is not a tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter sensor.

4. The interface system according to claim 2, wherein the interface system is an interface cable.

5. The interface system according to claim 2, wherein the interface system is a unitary adaptor or connector such that the wireless signal receiver, the signal converter, and the maternal-fetal monitor port interface are all contained in the unitary adaptor or connector.

6. An interface system comprising:

a sensor interface for operably connecting to at least one electrode and receiving at least one electrode signal from the at least one electrode;

a signal converter connected to the sensor interface, wherein the signal converter processes the at least one signal into output data that mimics electrical output from a tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter; and

a wireless signal transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the output data to a maternal-fetal monitor;

wherein the sensor interface, the signal converter, and the wireless signal transmitter are integrated to form a unitary structure.

7. The interface system according to claim 6, wherein the interface system is an interface cable.

8. The interface system according to claim 6, wherein the interface system is a unitary adaptor or connector such that the sensor interface, the signal converter, and the wireless signal transmitter are all contained in the unitary adaptor or connector.

9. An interface system comprising an electrode interface, a maternal-fetal monitor port interface, and a signal converter, wherein the signal converter processes two or more signals from at least one electrode operably connected to the electrode interface and combines the two or more signals into a single stream of output data that is comparable to tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter output.

10. The interface system according to claim 9, wherein the interface system is an interface cable.

11. The interface system according to claim 9, wherein the signal converter combines the two or more signals based on averaging the two or more signals.

12. The interface system according to claim 9, wherein the signal converter combines the two or more signals based on selecting best features of each of the two or more signals.

13. The interface system according to claim 9, wherein the signal converter combines the two or more signals based on a weighted average of the two or more signals, wherein the weighted average is based on signal characteristics.

14. An interface system comprising an electrode interface, a maternal-fetal monitor port interface, and a signal converter, wherein the signal converter processes at least one signal from at least one electrode operably connected to the electrode interface and converts the electrode signal(s) into output data comparable to tocodynamometer or intra-uterine pressure catheter output;

wherein the interface system is designed to connect to different maternal-fetal-monitors without modification.

15. The interface system according to claim 14, wherein the interface system further comprises a cable portion, wherein the cable portion is formed integrally with the electrode interface, the maternal-fetal monitor port interface, and the signal converter to provide a unitary cable structure.