Research project

Fetal heart rate, fetal movement and uterine contraction detection using e-textiles

Research groups:
Lead researchers:

Professor Kai Yang
Other researchers:

Professor Ying Cheong,

Dr Russel Torah,

Professor Diego Altamirano
Status:

Not active

Project overview

Monitoring of maternal contractions, fetal heart and movement is fundamental in ensuring the health and safety of the developing fetus. Currently, uterine and fetal monitoring is performed by rigid tocodynamometer systems fixed to the maternal abdomen with straps attached to wires linked to a bulky base unit. This limits maternal movement, so monitoring is usually performed only in labour. Newer home monitoring systems use sticky hydrogel electrodes with rigid electronics limiting user comfort. The current monitoring systems only allow a snapshot measurement over a fixed time frame and the woman is confined to a specific location (home or hospital) and thus have limited mobility.

The SIAH fund brings together a multiciliary team from four faculties to develop an e-textile with integrated thin and flexible electrodes for monitoring. These sensing electrodes are comfortable to wear and flexible. They are integrated into fabric that can be made into a discreet wearable garment worn under normal clothing. This allows monitoring in a longitudinal manner, anytime and anywhere.