Fetal Movement Counting Using Optical Fibre Sensors

Abstract

Daily fetal movement counting based on maternal perception is widely deployed to monitor fetal wellbeing. However, the counting performed by the mother is prone to errors for various reasons. There are limited devices on the market that can provide reliable and automatic counting. This paper presents a prototype of a novel fetal movement monitoring device based on fibre Bragg grating sensors. Deformation of the skin caused by a fetal movement can lead to a change of the strain and stress on the optical fibre sensors, therefore can induce distortions to the breathing pattern of the mother. In the study data was gathered by the sensors through strain measurement and was post-processed using independent component analysis (ICA) and high-pass filtering to show the instances of the fetal movements. Information gathered during user trials with the prototype suggests that the system detects significantly higher numbers of fetus movements than that observed based on the mother’s perception. Among the various techniques available for fetal movement monitoring, fibre optic sensing provides many advantages including multiplex capability, flexibility and minimal size, making the concept an attractive solution for reliable monitoring of antenatal fetal movements.

Recent advancements of fiber Bragg grating sensors in biomedical application: a review

“…3 ). Its flexibility, small size, multiplex capabilities make it a better choice for measuring fetal movement [ 17 ]. In the further context, we can see that Najafzadeh et al proposed on Strain Monitoring and Fracture Recovery of Human Femur Bone by the application of Fiber Bragg Grating.…”

Sensing and Artificial Intelligent Maternal-Infant Health Care Systems: A Review

“…Counting fetal movement daily can help health professionals to examine child health and pregnancy difficulties. For estimating fetal movement, a system based on optical fiber sensors was proposed in [60]. The data for this study were collected through strain management with the help of sensors.…”

“…Similarly, sensor-based beds can be used to solve the respiratory distress problem in infants [76]. In addition, to monitor fetal movement, a wearable belt needs to be designed and developed with optical fiber sensors that can reduce motion artifacts and classify movement type [60]. The relevant literature recommends exploring more sensors that may be used to monitor heart rate and oxygen saturation along with temperature [77].…”

Non-Contact Monitoring of Fetal Movement Using Abdominal Video Recording

“…Some examples of FM include general body movements, kicks, stretches, rotation, twitch movements, limb movements, etc. [ 4 ]. There is normally a variation in FM, with a wide range in the number of movements per hour [ 5 ].…”

“…In the current field of FM signal measurement based on wearable sensors, various transducers are placed on the abdominal wall to detect FM, including piezoelectric films for pressure [ 16 ], strain gauges for force [ 17 ], capacitive [ 18 ] or inductive [ 19 ] moving elements for deflection, and optical fibre for strain [ 4 ], etc. These measurements have the advantage of capturing automated and longitudinal data in the out-of-hospital setting.…”