Monitoring fetal characteristics by radiotelemetric transmission
First Claim
1. A fetal monitor and system for measuring characteristics indicative of fetal health, and taking action based upon the health of the fetus is provided, said monitor comprising:
- means for sensing a temperature of a fetus and for outputting a fetal temperature signal;
means for sensing an electrocardiogram of said fetus and for outputting a fetal electrocardiogram signal; and
means for receiving said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals and for determining the existence of fetal conditions based upon said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fetal monitor is provided for gathering characteristic data such as fetal electrocardiogram, temperature and intra-uterine pressure so that fetal health may be determined during intra-operative and postoperative periods. The fetal monitor comprises a remote sensing unit, the remote sensing unit containing sensors which continually sample fetal temperature and electrocardiogram. A transceiver is housed in the remote sensing unit and outputs the sampled fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals to an external antenna. A monitoring station is provided for monitoring the fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from the antenna. Additionally, a pressure transducer may be housed in the remote sensing unit for continually sampling intra-uterine pressure. This intra-uterine pressure signal in combination with the above signals are utilized to determine fetal health or the onset and progress of parturition.
219 Citations
57 Claims
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1. A fetal monitor and system for measuring characteristics indicative of fetal health, and taking action based upon the health of the fetus is provided, said monitor comprising:
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means for sensing a temperature of a fetus and for outputting a fetal temperature signal; means for sensing an electrocardiogram of said fetus and for outputting a fetal electrocardiogram signal; and means for receiving said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals and for determining the existence of fetal conditions based upon said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A fetal monitoring system for measuring characteristics indicative of fetal health, said monitoring system comprising:
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a remote sensing unit, said remote sensing unit containing means for sensing temperature of a fetus and for sensing an electrocardiogram of said fetus, said remote sensing unit also housing a transceiver for outputting sampled fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals, said remote sensing unit maintained within close proximity of said fetus for allowing said fetal temperature to be sampled; an antenna for receiving said sampled fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from said transceiver; and a monitoring station for monitoring said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals, said monitoring station comprising a receiver for receiving said fetal electrocardiogram and temperature signals from said antenna, a computing means for manipulating said fetal electrocardiogram and temperature signals, and an output means for displaying information from said fetal electrocardiogram and temperature signals. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A fetal monitoring system for measuring characteristics indicative of fetal health, said fetal monitoring system comprising:
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a fetal monitor, said fetal monitor comprising a means for sensing temperature of a fetus and for outputting a fetal temperature signal, a means for sensing an electrocardiogram of said fetus and for outputting a fetal electrocardiogram signal; an antenna for receiving said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from said outputting means; a communications network for allowing the communication of said fetal electrocardiogram and temperature signal to a remote site; a means for converting said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from said antenna to be compatible with said communications network; a monitoring station for remotely monitoring said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals, said monitoring station comprising a receiver for receiving said fetal electrocardiogram and temperature signals, a computing means for manipulating said fetal electrocardiogram and temperature signals, and an output means for displaying information from said fetal electrocardiogram and temperature signals; and a means for converting said fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from said communications network to be compatible with said monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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Specification