Patent ID: 8880140
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for sensing an abdominal fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) signal during any gestational stage of pregnancy, the apparatus comprising: a multi-electrode patch comprising: a flexible substructure attachable to the skin of a pregnant subject; at least three sensing electrodes and a common electrode positioned on the flexible substructure in a predetermined configuration that does not vary with a gestational stage of the pregnant subject, the predetermined configuration including the common electrode defining the center of a circle with said at least three sensing electrodes lying on a circumference of the circle and subtending an arc of approximately 30 to 45 degrees, the common electrode spaced from a centermost one of the sensing electrodes by a distance of between 14 and 20 cm; and at least one connection port electrically connected to each sensing electrode and the common electrode; and a fetal heart rate monitor electrically connected to the sensing electrodes and the common electrode through said at least one connection port, the fetal heart rate monitor being configured to determine the fECG signal during any gestational stage of pregnancy.