BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sensor for foetal monitoring, in particular for measuring electrophysiological signals, e.g. electrical activity of the uterus of a pregnant woman and/or of the heart of a foetus, comprising a plurality of signal electrodes and a ground electrode mounted in or on a substrate, and a connector for connecting the sensor to a monitoring system.

2. Description of the Related art

US 2012/0150010 relates to an apparatus and method for detecting uterine activity using cutaneous electrodes on the maternal abdomen to obtain electrophysiological signals that can be used to obtain foetal and maternal heart rate. The apparatus includes a first input for receiving electrical signals from the cutaneous electrodes and a second input for receiving movement signals indicative of a movement of the maternal body from a movement detector. A signal processor separates a uterine electromyogram signal from foetal and maternal heart rate signals and filters out motion artefacts from the electromyogram using the movement signals. An output presents electrohysterogram (EHG) data from the uterine electromyogram signal.

WO 2013/130979 relates to foetal monitoring and, more particularly, to an electronic external foetal monitoring system that includes a self adhering single use dermal patch including embedded sensors that can be attached to the skin of an expectant maternal patient and is configured to record foetal heart rate, uterine activity, and uterine integrity.

WO 2007/095457 relates to an integrated patch for the non-invasive monitoring of a laboring woman. The patch incorporates biopotential electrodes for sensing foetal ECG and EMG indicative of myometrial activity. The patch also incorporates a processor for extracting labor activity and foetal heart activity after filtering out maternal ECG from the composite biopotential signal present on the abdomen of the pregnant woman.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sensor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the sensor according to the invention is characterized in that the ground electrode is positioned about, e.g. annularly about, or between a pair of signal electrodes. In an embodiment, the centers of the ground electrode and the centers of the pair of signal electrodes are positioned on an imaginary line.

The present invention enables accurate measurements and yet a compact design of the sensor that, in principle, requires no or little bending of the sensor when placing it on a patient. Thus, establishing efficacious electrical contact between the skin of a patient and the ground electrode is relatively simple.

In an embodiment, the signal electrodes and ground electrode are symmetrical about an imaginary line perpendicular to an imaginary line through the centers of the electrodes and/or symmetrical about an imaginary line through the centers of the electrodes.

Thus, the sensor can be oriented with either of the signal electrodes up and/or the connector can be oriented to either side of the abdomen of a pregnant woman e.g. to suit the location of a monitoring system. In a refinement, the connector extends at an angle a to an imaginary line through the centers of the electrodes, wherein a is in a range from 70 to 110Â°, preferably in a range from 80 to 100Â°, preferably about 90Â°.

In further embodiment, the center to center distance of the signal electrodes in the pair is in a range from 70 to 110 mm, preferably in a range from 80 to 100 mm, preferably in a range from 85 to 95 mm, and/or the signal electrodes have an effective diameter in a range from 25 to 40 mm, preferably in a range from 28 to 37 mm, preferably in a range from 30 to 35 mm, and/or the surface area of the ground electrode is at least twice the surface area of at least one, preferably each of the signal electrodes, e.g. substantially equal to or larger than the combined surface area of the pair of signal electrodes. Electrodes in these ranges were found to provide improved signal to noise ratio.

In a further embodiment, the ground electrode has an effective diameter in a range from 30 to 60 mm, preferably in a range from 35 to 55 mm, preferably in a range from 30 to 50 mm. Employing a ground electrode in this range was found to reduce effects resulting from movements of the patient and increase reliability of the measurements.

In another embodiment, the sensor is disposable, i.e. is intended for single use.

In a further embodiment, the sensor comprises a memory, e.g. and (E)EPROM on a printed circuit board, that is accessible via the connector. The memory can be employed to store information that e.g. enables verifying the authenticity and/or shelf life of the sensor and/or previous use, e.g. to prevent re-use, and can be employed to link the sensor to a specific patient or register parameters relating to the use of the sensor, such as duration of use.

In a particularly compact yet efficacious embodiment, the sensor has a ground electrode and precisely two signal electrodes, i.e. three electrodes in all.

The invention further relates to a system for processing electrophysiological signals, in particular electrophysiological signals, e.g. electrical activity of the uterus of a pregnant woman and/or of the heart of a foetus, comprising a processing unit, optionally a presentation device, and a sensor according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the system comprises an input for receiving, via the sensor, an electrophysiological signal that is measured on the abdomen of a pregnant woman, a filter for receiving the electrophysiological signal and for providing a filtered electrohysterogram signal, the filter being configured to allow passage of frequencies of the electrophysiological signal in a range from 0 Hz to 3 Hz and to attenuate frequencies outside this range. The system further comprises a window function applicator for receiving the filtered electrohysterogram signal and for providing an output waveform. The window function applicator is configured to generate the output waveform by continuously applying a window function to samples of the filtered electrohysterogram signal, wherein a single application of the window function comprises adding, according to the window function, samples of the filtered electrohysterogram signal of an interval of time preceding the application of the window function, and an output for providing the output waveform, the output waveform simulating output data of a tocodynamometer or an intra-uterine pressure catheter, the output data representing data relating to uterine contractions.

Further details of a suitable system can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/726,293 â€œElectrophysiological monitoring of uterine contractionsâ€ and corresponding European patent application 12199341.4, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention also relates to a method of foetal monitoring by measuring electrophysiological signals, e.g. electrical activity of the uterus of a pregnant woman and/or of the heart of a foetus, comprising the steps of preparing a sensor placement site at the abdomen of a pregnant woman and placing, at that site, a sensor according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the sensor placement site is prepared by means of an abrasive, e.g. an abrasive gel, preferably an abrasive tape. The combination of preparing a sensor site with abrasive tape and the sensor according to the present invention appeared to result in particularly straightforward placement and reliable measurements.

Within the framework of the present invention, the term â€œeffective diameterâ€ of an electrode is defined as the diameter of an imaginary circular disc having the same surface area as that electrode. If, e.g., the electrode is circular, the effective diameter is equal to the actual diameter.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the Figures, which show a preferred embodiment of the present sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a sensor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sensor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a system for processing electrophysiological signals comprising a sensor as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 placed on the abdomen of a pregnant woman.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is noted that the Figures are schematic in nature and that details, which are not necessary for understanding the present invention, may have been omitted. Identical element and elements performing an at least substantially identical function have been indicated the same numeral.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a sensor for foetal monitoring, in particular measuring electrophysiological signals, e.g. electrical activity of the uterus of a pregnant woman and/or of the heart of a foetus, comprising a pair of cutaneous and/or capacitive signal electrodes 2 and a cutaneous and/or capacitive ground electrode 3. In this example, the signal electrodes are circular and are located at a center to center distance of 90 mm. Seen in top view, the ground electrode is positioned between the signal electrodes has a surface area that is twice the surface area of each of the signal electrodes. The ground electrode is also circular with two recesses on opposite sides to provide sufficient distance, e.g. from 7 to 15 mm, and thus isolation between the ground electrode and the signal electrodes. The center of the ground electrode 3 and the centers of the pair of signal electrodes 2 are positioned on an imaginary line 4. The sensor further comprises a connector 5 for connecting the sensor 1 to a monitoring system 6, as shown in FIG. 3. The electrodes 2, 3 are electrically connected to the connector 5 by means of wires or leads 7 made from an electrically conducting material.

In this example, the electrodes 2, 3 and leads 7 are made of a foil or film of a conducting material, e.g. a film of Ag/AgCl (silver/silver chloride), that is adhered to or deposited on a substrate, e.g. a polyester sheet 8. The electrodes 2, 3 in turn are covered by a further conductive material, e.g. an adhesive hydrogel 9.

In this example, to protect the electrodes and the leads and to facilitate handling, a foam or nonwoven layer 10, 11 is adhered to both sides of the substrate 8. The foam or nonwoven layer 11 on the side of the substrate where the electrodes 2, 3 are located comprises openings 12 which correspond in shape, size and position to the electrodes. The hydrogel 9 is located in these openings. Further, the foam or nonwoven layer 11 is provided with additional adhesive in the areas surround the hydrogel. A protective foil 13 is adhered to the sensor and the sensor is stored in a sterile package (not shown).

During use, shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 1 is removed from its package and the protective foil 13 removed. A sensor placement site is prepared, by means of abrasive tape, at the abdomen of a pregnant woman 14. The sensor is placed at that site and connected to a monitoring system, which is no ready for foetal monitoring.

Particular embodiments of the invention are as follows. In a first embodiment, the invention relates to a sensor for foetal monitoring, in particular for measuring electrophysiological signals, e.g. electrical activity of the uterus of a pregnant woman and/or of the heart of a foetus, comprising a plurality of signal electrodes and a ground electrode mounted in or on a substrate, and a connector for connecting the sensor to a monitoring system, characterized in that the ground electrode is positioned about or between a pair of signal electrodes.

In a second embodiment, the sensor according to the first embodiment has the centers of the ground electrode and the centers of the pair of signal electrodes positioned on an imaginary line.

In a third embodiment, the sensor according to the second embodiment has the signal electrodes and ground electrode located symmetrically about an imaginary line perpendicular to an imaginary line through the centers of the electrodes and/or symmetrical about an imaginary line through the centers of the electrodes.

In a fourth set of embodiments, in the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments the connector extends at an angle a to an imaginary line through the centers of the electrodes, wherein a is in a range from 70 to 110Â°, preferably in a range from 80 to 100Â°, preferably about 90Â°.

In a fifth set of embodiments, in the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the center to center distance of the signal electrodes in the pair is in a range from 70 to 110 mm, preferably in a range from 80 to 100 mm, preferably in a range from 85 to 95 mm.

In a sixth set of embodiments, in the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the signal electrodes have an effective diameter in a range from 25 to 40 mm, preferably in a range from 28 to 37 mm, preferably in a range from 30 to 35 mm.

In a seventh set of embodiments, in the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the surface area of the ground electrode is at least twice the surface area of at least one, preferably both or all of the signal electrodes.

In an eighth set of embodiments, in the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the ground electrode has an effective diameter in a range from 30 to 60 mm, preferably in a range from 35 to 55 mm, preferably in a range from 30 to 50 mm.

In a ninth set of embodiments, in the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the sensor is disposable.

In a tenth set of embodiments, the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments, includes a memory that is accessible via the connector.

In an eleventh set of embodiments, the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments has a ground electrode and precisely two signal electrodes, i.e. three electrodes in all.

In a twelfth set of embodiments, in the sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the signal electrodes are circular and the ground electrode is substantially circular with recesses on opposite sides to provide sufficient isolation between the ground electrode and the signal electrodes.

In yet another set of embodiments, the invention is a system for processing electrophysiological signals, in particular electrophysiological signals, e.g. electrical activity of the uterus of a pregnant woman and/or of the heart of a foetus, comprising a processing unit, optionally a presentation device, and a sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

In yet another set of embodiments, the invention relates to a method of foetal monitoring by measuring electrophysiological signals, e.g. electrical activity of the uterus of a pregnant woman and/or of the heart of a foetus, including the steps of preparing a sensor placement site at the abdomen of a pregnant woman and placing, at that site, a sensor according to any one of the preceding embodiments or employing a system according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

In a further set of embodiments, in the method according to any previous embodiment the sensor placement site is prepared by means of an abrasive, preferably abrasive tape.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above and can be varied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, instead of being positioned between the signal electrodes, the ground electrode can be at least substantially annular or shaped as a lemniscate and positioned about the signal electrodes.