Biophysical foetal monitor
First Claim
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1. A device for determining the types of movement of a foetus over a period of time, comprising:
- a pressure or acceleration detector means for application to a pregnant mammalian animal and for producing a stream of electrical signals in response to the detection of foetal movements;
signal processing means having signal receiving means for receiving the stream of signals produced by the detector means;
comparator means for comparing the stream of signals received by the signal receiving means with an array of previously determined streams of signals characteristic of a variety of different types of identified foetal movement to allow determination of the type or types of foetal movement occurring during the period of time; and
output means for producing an output indicative of the types of movement of the foetus during the period of time.
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Abstract
A device and method for monitoring over a period of time a foetus in a pregnant mammalian animal. A piezoelectric synthetic plastics material detector is applied to the abdomen of the pregnant animal and produces an electrical signal as a result of foetal activity such as foetal body movement, breathing movement and heart rate. This signal is received in receiver means and is compared with previously determined signals characteristic of various types of foetal activity. Output means produce an output indicative of the activities of the foetus over the monitored period from which can be gauged foetal development and/or well being.
86 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device for determining the types of movement of a foetus over a period of time, comprising:
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a pressure or acceleration detector means for application to a pregnant mammalian animal and for producing a stream of electrical signals in response to the detection of foetal movements; signal processing means having signal receiving means for receiving the stream of signals produced by the detector means; comparator means for comparing the stream of signals received by the signal receiving means with an array of previously determined streams of signals characteristic of a variety of different types of identified foetal movement to allow determination of the type or types of foetal movement occurring during the period of time; and output means for producing an output indicative of the types of movement of the foetus during the period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for determining the types of movement of a foetus over a period of time, comprising:
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a pressure or acceleration detector for application to a pregnant mammalian animal and for producing a stream of electrical signals in response to the detection of foetal movements; a signal processor having a signal receiving device for receiving the stream of signals produced by the detector; a comparator for comparing the stream of signals received by the signal receiving device with an array of previously determined streams of signals characteristic of a variety of different types of identified foetal movement to allow determination of the type or types of foetal movement occurring during the period of time; and an output device for producing an output indicative of the types of movement of the foetus during the period of time.
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17. A method for determining the types of movement of a foetus over a period of time including the steps of:
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applying a pressure or acceleration detector means, capable of producing a stream of electrical signals in response to the detection of foetal movements, to a pregnant mammalian animal for a period of time; comparing the stream of electrical signals produced by the detector means with an array of previously determined streams of signals characteristic of a variety of different types of identified foetal movement to allow determination of type or types of movement occurring during the period of time; and producing an output from that comparison indicative of the types of movement of the foetus during the period of time. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification