Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
04:33
Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Needle Tip Tracking with a Fiber-Optic Ultrasound Receiver
Published on: August 21, 2018
10.6K
Fetal Movement Counting Using Optical Fibre Sensors.
Chalani L Abeywardena1,2, Frederique J Vanheusden1, Kate F Walker3
1Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8PR, UK.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 30, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a novel fiber optic sensor prototype for automatic fetal movement counting, offering a more reliable method than maternal perception. User trials indicate significantly higher detection rates, enhancing antenatal fetal wellbeing monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Sensing Technology
Background:
- Maternal perception of fetal movements is a common but error-prone method for monitoring fetal wellbeing.
- Existing automatic fetal movement counting devices are limited in reliability and market availability.
Discussion:
- A novel fetal movement monitoring device utilizing fiber Bragg grating sensors is presented.
- The device detects fetal movements by measuring skin deformation, which alters strain and stress on optical fibers.
- Data processing involves independent component analysis (ICA) and high-pass filtering to identify fetal movement instances.
Key Insights:
- The prototype system demonstrated significantly higher detection rates of fetal movements compared to maternal perception during user trials.
- Fiber optic sensing offers advantages like multiplexing, flexibility, and minimal size for fetal monitoring.
Outlook:
- This fiber optic sensing concept presents an attractive solution for reliable antenatal fetal movement monitoring.
- Further development could lead to improved accuracy and widespread clinical adoption.
