Fetal Heart Rate monitoring system
Fetal heart rate (FHR) was first introduced in the 17th century. It is an important parameter that can be monitored during pregnancy and/or labor. During pregnancy, it provides information regarding the fetal heart rate and waveform. These are significant in determining the fetal well-being, fe
2025-06-28 16:32:34 - Adil Khan
Fetal Heart Rate monitoring system
Project Area of Specialization Wearables and ImplantableProject SummaryFetal heart rate (FHR) was first introduced in the 17th century. It is an important parameter that can be monitored during pregnancy and/or labor. During pregnancy, it provides information regarding the fetal heart rate and waveform. These are significant in determining the fetal well-being, fetal development and the presence or absence of any congenital heart disease while during labor it can help reduce newborn acidemia and other problems.
The use of ultrasound in the first trimester is generally not recommended as a routine as it may increases the occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction. Besides that, the FHR measurements using ultrasound are not always reliable due to the complexity of its signal and the effects of fetal and maternal breathing.
A non-invasive optical technique that allows for fetal heart rate detection using a near infrared (NIR) detector placed on the mother abdomen. The system presented here consists of a photoplethysmography (PPG) circuit, abdomen circuit which integrated on Raspberry Pi and a mobile application. The received abdominal signal that conveys information pertaining to the mother and fetal heart rate is sensed by a low noise photodetector and process the data and shows result on mobile application.
Project ObjectivesSafe monitoring of fetal heart rate is a valuable tool for the healthy evolution and wellbeing of both fetus and mother. a non-invasive optical technique that allows for fetal heart rate detection using a photovoltaic infrared (IR) detector placed on the mother abdomen. The system presented here consists of a photoplethysmography (PPG) circuit, abdomen circuit and a mobile application. A near IR beam having a wavelength of 880 nm is transmitted through the mother’s abdomen and fetal tissue. The received abdominal signal that conveys information pertaining to the mother and fetal heart rate is sensed by a low noise photodetector.
Project Implementation MethodThe PPG instrumentation system used in this work is
composed of an abdominal probe that consists of an IR
light emitting diode (LED) and a detector to sense the mixed
(abdominal) foetal and maternal PPG signal. The PPG sensor
also detects the reference PPG signal from the mother’s
finger. The abdominal sensor is composed of a low power IR
LED with a wavelength of 880 nm. This LED generates a light
with 725 Hz and 52% duty cycle to reach the fetal heart and
get back to a 4 cm distant detector located on the mother’s
abdomen. The received signal is then converted to a voltage
using a current-to-voltage converter. Band-pass filtration is
applied with a bandwidth of 710–740 Hz to reduce the effect
of power line interference. An envelope detector is also
utilized to detect the peaks after amplitude modulation.
Finally, the signal enters a MATLAB-based digital signal
processing algorithm to extract FHR by using recursive least
squares (RLS) adaptive filtration.
The optical FHR system described herein is composed
of an abdomen circuit (the primary circuit), a PPG circuit
and a PC equipped with MATLAB software.
The PC-aided optical foetal heart rate detection system
proposed will be able to detect the fetal heart rate
safely, non-invasively, reliably and accurately. The system
proved, through the correct choice of hardware components,
to overcome problems pertaining to light ambient noise and
the acceptable optical power passing through the skin.
The proposed system performance will also validate for two
cases of abnormalities; the first case is concerned with the
increase in the mother’s background signal and the second
case is related to abnormal conditions; namely increased and
decreased fetal heart rate conditions. Both cases were
simulated to demonstrate the ability of the proposed system
to detect the fetal heart in abnormal situations.
The project focuses on improving healthcare of mother and fetus in developing countries using low power, economic electronics
Technical Details of Final Deliverablea non-invasive optical technique that allows for fetal heart rate detection using a photovoltaic infrared (IR) detector placed on the mother abdomen. The system presented here consists of a photoplethysmography (PPG) circuit, abdomen circuit and a mobile application. A near IR beam having a wavelength of 880 nm is transmitted through the mother’s abdomen and fetal tissue. The received abdominal signal that conveys information pertaining to the mother and fetal heart rate is sensed by a low noise photodetector.The results will displayed on android based application and give alert to mother through notifications and breif reports by producing logs.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemType of Industry Medical Technologies Internet of Things (IoT), Wearables and ImplantablesSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for PeopleRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 39065 | |||
| Raspberry Pi 3 Model B | Equipment | 2 | 6000 | 12000 |
| ICM7555 - Timer IC | Equipment | 5 | 30 | 150 |
| Silicon NPN Photodetector 2N5777 | Equipment | 5 | 35 | 175 |
| LM324D IC | Equipment | 5 | 18 | 90 |
| TCRT1000 Reflective Optical Sensor | Equipment | 1 | 250 | 250 |
| BH1790GLC-E2 sensor | Equipment | 2 | 1500 | 3000 |
| ESP8266 12E Wi-Fi Module | Equipment | 1 | 400 | 400 |
| Maternity Belt | Equipment | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Power Bank | Equipment | 1 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery 3.7V with 2200mAh for medical dev | Equipment | 2 | 4000 | 8000 |
| Printing | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2500 | 2500 |
| Shipping cost | Miscellaneous | 1 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Overeads | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2500 | 2500 |