Abstract
Uterine activity monitoring is used to assess pregnancy and labor progress and to value maternal and fetal wellbeing. Previous research has proven that surface recordings of uterine myoelectrical activity (electrohysterogram, EHG) provide additional information regarding uterine dynamics, electrophysiological uterine condition and time to delivery than traditionally used external tocographic recordings (TOCO). Nonetheless such encouraging results have not been transferred to clinical application. In this work we present a novel EHG recording system which aims to simplify recording protocol and conditions so as to provide a clinically friendly use of this promising technique. The proposed system is made of an adhesive flexible multi-ring concentric electrode (CRE) and a battery powered compact recording system which permits wireless transmission and local data storage. For a preliminary verification of the proposed system to be used for EHG studies, two recording session of 1h were carried out on two women in labor state. Signals from the new system were simultaneously recorded with conventional EHG bipolar recording with disc electrodes and benchtop equipment, and TOCO signal from a commercial maternal monitor. Signals from CRE and the compact system proved todetect all uterine contractions identified in TOCO, and yielded similar spectral parameters, duration and signal quality to those of conventional EHG records. The proposed system is easy to use, simplifies electrode placement and permits full access to patients bed which are desired requirements for its use in clinical environments
