Virtual simulator for the generation of patho-physiological foetal ECGs during the prenatal period

摘要

The design, implementation, and verification of a signal simulator forthe generation of patho-physiological records of foetal electrocardiograms(fECGs) during the prenatal period are briefly reported. Thesimulator enables users to model the patho-physiological changesthat occur within the foetus’ myocardium under hypoxic conditions(hypoxemia, hypoxia, asphyxia, etc.) during the 20th to 42nd weekof pregnancy. The simulator deploys a dynamic fECG model includingan actual fECG record taken from clinical practice, patho-physiologicalcardiotocography (CTG), and ST-analysis (STAN) records along withthe ratio of T waves to the QRS complex; as well as clinical recommendationsby FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology andObstetrics) for classifying these records. By comparing synthesisedand real patho-physiological CTG and STAN records, the functionalityof the simulator, which effectively captured significant indicators of thefoetus’ condition during the prenatal period including fECG morphology,dynamic fECG characteristics, and others is evaluated andvalidated. The simulator enables users to test both current and emergingapproaches in a very challenging area of gynaecology, namelythe identification/classification of hypoxic conditions in the foetusduring labour. Obstetricians can also use the simulator as a referencetool during the evaluation of suspect fECG abnormalities