Method and apparatus for providing contraction information during labour
View Patent ↗A system and apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying uterine contraction information is provided. The graphical user interface displays first information conveying a rate of uterine contractions, the first information being derived at least in part on the basis of at least a portion of a contraction signal. The graphical user interface also displays, concurrently with the first information, second information conveying a threshold rate of uterine contractions. In specific examples of implementation, the graphical user interface is adapted for selectively causing an alarm event based at least in part on a rate of uterine contractions conveyed by the first information and the threshold rate of uterine contractions.
1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program element suitable for execution by a processor, said program element implementing a process for monitoring an obstetrics patient during labour, said processor when executing said program element being configured for:
(a) receiving a contraction signal associated with the obstetrics patient, the contraction signal conveying information related to uterine contractions over time;
(b) processing the contraction signal to derive first information conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;
(c) causing said first information to be displayed in a viewing window on a display device;
(d) deriving information conveying if an anomalous contraction rate has persisted for a prolonged period of time, said information being derived at least in part by determining if the rates of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information have fallen outside a limit set by a threshold rate of uterine contractions for a time duration exceeding a predetermined time duration;
(e) receiving contraction medication information conveying whether contraction inducing medication was administered to the obstetrics patient;
(f) selectively causing an alarm event at least in part based on:
(i) the information conveying if the anomalous contraction rate has persisted for the prolonged period of time; and
(ii) said contraction medication information.
2. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1 , said processor when executing said program element being configured for:
(a) receiving fetal heart rate information;
(b) selectively causing the alarm event based at least in part:
(i) on the information conveying if the anomalous contraction rate has persisted for the prolonged period of time;
(ii) on said contraction medication information; and
(iii) on said fetal heart rate information.
3. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first information includes a first tracing conveying the rates of uterine contractions over time; and wherein said processor when executing said program element is operative for causing said first tracing to be displayed in the viewing window concurrently with a second tracing, said second tracing conveying the threshold rate of uterine contractions.
4. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as described in claim 1 , wherein said alarm event includes displaying a visual indicator.
5. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as described in claim 1 , wherein said alarm event includes causing an audio signal to be issued.
6. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as described in claim 1 , wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted to a remote device.
7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as described in claim 6 , wherein the remote device is a device selected from the set consisting of a PDA, telephone, pager and computing terminal.
8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as described in claim 6 , wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted over a network to the remote device.
9. An apparatus for monitoring an obstetrics patient during labour, said apparatus comprising:
(a) an input for receiving a contraction signal associated with the obstetrics patient, the contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;
(b) a processing unit in communication with said input, said processing unit being programmed for:
(i) processing the contraction signal to derive first information conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;
(ii) displaying said first information in a viewing window on a display device;
(iii) deriving information conveying if an anomalous contraction rate has persisted for a prolonged period of time, said information being derived at least in part by determining if the rates of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information have fallen outside a limit set by a threshold rate of uterine contractions for a time duration exceeding a predetermined time duration;
(iv) receiving contraction medication information conveying whether contraction inducing medication was administered to the obstetrics patient;
(v) selectively causing an alarm event at least in part based on:
(1) the information conveying if the anomalous contraction rate has persisted for the prolonged period of time; and
(2) the contraction medication information.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 , said processing unit being programmed for:
(a) receiving fetal heart rate information;
(b) selectively causing the alarm event based at least in part:
(i) on the information conveying if the anomalous contraction rate has persisted for the prolonged period of time;
(ii) on said contraction medication information; and
(iii) on said fetal heart rate information.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 , wherein:
(a) said first information includes a first tracing conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;
(b) said processing unit is programmed for displaying said first tracing in the viewing window concurrently with a second tracing, said second tracing conveying the threshold rate of uterine contractions.
12. An apparatus as described in claim 9 , wherein said alarm event includes displaying a visual indicator.
13. An apparatus as described in claim 9 , wherein said alarm event includes causing an audio signal to be issued.
14. An apparatus as described in claim 9 , wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted to a remote device.
15. An apparatus as described in claim 14 , wherein the remote device is a device selected from the set consisting of a PDA, telephone, pager and computing terminal.
16. An apparatus as described in claim 14 , wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted over a network to the remote device.
17. A method for monitoring an obstetrics patient during labour, said method comprising:
(a) receiving at an input of a computing apparatus having a processor a contraction signal associated with the obstetrics patient, said contraction signal conveying information related to occurrences of uterine contractions over time;
(b) using the processor of the computing apparatus:
(i) processing the contraction signal to derive first information conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;
(ii) causing said first information to be displayed in a viewing window on a display device;
(iii) deriving information conveying if an anomalous contraction rate has persisted for a prolonged period of time, said information being derived at least in part by determining if the rates of uterine contractions conveyed by said first information have fallen outside a limit set by a threshold rate of uterine contractions for a time duration exceeding a predetermined time duration;
(iv) receiving contraction medication information conveying whether contraction inducing medication was administered to the obstetrics patient;
(v) selectively causing an alarm event at least in part based on:
(1) the information conveying if the anomalous contraction rate has persisted for the prolonged period of time; and
(2) said contraction medication information.
18. A method as defined in claim 17 , said method comprising:
(a) receiving fetal heart rate information;
(b) selectively causing the alarm event based at least in part:
(i) on the information conveying if the anomalous contraction rate has persisted for the prolonged period of time; and
(ii) on said contraction medication information; and
(iii) on said fetal heart rate information.
19. A method as defined in claim 17 , wherein:
(a) said first information includes a first tracing conveying rates of uterine contractions over time;
(b) said method comprising causing said first tracing to be displayed in the viewing window concurrently with a second tracing, said second tracing conveying the threshold rate of uterine contractions.
20. A method as described in claim 17 , wherein said alarm event includes displaying a visual indicator.
21. A method as described in claim 17 , wherein said alarm event includes causing an audio signal to be issued.
22. A method as described in claim 17 , wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted to a remote device.
23. A method as described in claim 22 , wherein the remote device is a device selected from the set consisting of a PDA, telephone, pager and computing terminal.
24. A method as described in claim 22 , wherein said alarm event includes causing a message signal to be transmitted over a network to the remote device.