Multiparameter fetal monitoring device

A system for monitoring fetal heart rate, comprising:

• an array of electrodes spaced apart from one another;
• one or more mechanical sensors adjacent to the array of electrodes;
• and
• processor circuitry for comparing an ECG signal produced by the array of electrodes with a signal produced by the one or more mechanical sensors to derive fetal heart rate information.

A method for deriving fetal heart rate of a fetus in a pregnant mother's uterus, using a device including an array of electrodes and an acoustic sensor thereon, the method comprising the steps of:

• placing the device adjacent the fetus;
• detecting ECG activity within the uterus with the array of electrodes, the array of electrodes producing an ECG signal corresponding to the ECG activity;
• detecting acoustic activity within the uterus with the acoustic sensor, the acoustic sensor producing an acoustic signal corresponding to the acoustic activity;
• and
• comparing the ECO signal and acoustic signal to derive the fetal heart rate.

An intrauterine catheter device for monitoring a fetus during labor, comprising:

• an elongate housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a pregnant mother's uterus;
• a reference electrode on the distal portion;
• and
• an array of active electrodes spaced apart from one another on the distal portion, wherein the array of active electrodes includes a bipolar pair of electrodes.

An intrauterine catheter device for monitoring a fetus during labor, comprising:

• an elongate housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a pregnant mother's uterus,
• a reference electrode on the distal portion;
• and
• an array of active electrodes spaced apart from one another on the distal portion, wherein the array of active electrodes comprises a pair of electrodes provided back-to-back from one another.

An intrauterine catheter device for monitoring a fetus during labor, comprising:

• an elongate housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a pregnant mother's uterus, and including first and second lumens extending between the proximal and distal portions;
• a differential pressure transducer on the distal portion, the transducer having a front side exposed on the distal portion, and a back side disposed within the distal portion, the first and second lumens being in communication with the front and back sides, respectively;
• and
• a zeroing switch on the proximal portion of the housing, the zeroing switch being adjustable between first and second positions, whereby in the first position the second lumen is in communication with external atmospheric pressure, and whereby in the second position the second lumen is in communication with the first lumen.

A device for monitoring a fetus in utero, comprising:

• a flexible pad having a lower surface for contacting a pregnant mother's abdomen;
• an array of electrodes on the lower surface adapted to produce an ECG signal,
• one or more mechanical sensors on the lower surface adapted to produce an output signal including a fetal heart rate signal;
• and
• processor circuitry for comparing the ECG signal to the output signal of the mechanical sensors to derive fetal heart rate information.