Accurate, Non-Invasive Fetal Arterial Oxygen Saturation and Blood Ph Measurement via Diffuse Optics

Abstract

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed non-invasive fetal monitoring that enables accurate, continuous measurement of fetal arterial blood oxygen saturation and blood pH.

Full Description

This technology leverages Transabdominal Fetal Oximetry (TFO) to non-invasively monitor fetal well-being by accurately measuring fetal arterial blood oxygen saturation (fSpO2) and blood pH. The technology uses three key components: (1) a mathematical framework, (2) a signal processing pipeline, and (3) computational models to infer fetal blood pH from temporal dynamics of fSpO2. Together, these components overcome the fundamental challenges of non-invasive accurate intrapartum fetal monitoring, providing a significant advancement over traditional methods like cardiotocography.

Applications

• Hospitals and birthing centers for intrapartum fetal monitoring. 
• Research in fetal health and development. 
• Integration into existing fetal monitoring systems to enhance their accuracy and reliability. 
• Use in remote or low-resource settings where invasive monitoring is not feasible.

Features/Benefits

• Continuously monitors fetal arterial blood oxygen saturation and pH non-invasively. 
• Significantly improves accuracy over conventional methods. 
• Reduces unnecessary interventions by providing reliable data on fetal distress. 
• Leverages advanced signal processing techniques enhancing measurement reliability. 
• First-of-its-kind technology to infer fetal blood pH non-invasively. 
• Addresses high rate of false positives and unnecessary interventions (e.g., cesarean operations) in current fetal monitoring methods. 
• Provides for lack of continuous, non-invasive monitoring of fetal blood pH and oxygen saturation. 
• Overcomes difficulties in accurately isolating fetal signals from maternal-fetal mixed signals.

Patent Status

Patent Pending