System and method for detection of fetal heartbeat
US6454716B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S15/8979
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a device and method for monitoring and detecting a fetal heartbeat that can be employed by ordinary people with minimal, if any, training, such as expectant mothers. The device can monitor and detect a fetal heartbeat with minimal positioning along the female body at the pregnant portion (the womb) as the device is configured to transmit and receive energy waves at wide angles. The device is economical and is preferably designed for domestic use, outside of the hospital or clinical setting. Specifically, the invention is based on a unique configuration of piezoelectric elements in cooperative configuration with a series of oscillators that is able to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves simultaneously The configuration allows for an optimal scanning range at an unlimited number of angles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.