Patent ID: 6379305
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An ultrasonic Doppler-shift-based fetal heartbeat detection and measurement device, said device comprising:a probe having an external shape adapted to facilitate vaginal insertion thereof, and wherein activatable contents of said probe are essentially limited to an activatable Doppler circuit; a base unit; and a means for conveying signals between said activatable Doppler circuit and said base unit; wherein said activatable Doppler circuit consists essentially only of those components necessary to generate outgoing ultrasound of an emitted frequency, to detect incoming ultrasound of a reflected frequency, to continuously determine a frequency difference between said emitted frequency and said reflected frequency, to generate a data signal varying in time with said frequency difference, and to deliver said data signal to said means for conveying signals, said means for conveying signals when activated causing said data signal to be delivered to said base unit.