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Sidahmed, Shiemaa Sidhmed Awad (2020) Potential methods for heart rate monitoring during neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate the use of dry and capacitive ECG sensors for newborns’ heart rate monitoring in the delivery room. The main limitations of the standard wet ECG sensors for this application are the need for skin preparation and possible skin scarring caused by the conductive gel.

The Initial proposal was to use capacitive ECG sensors to couple the ECG signal from the babies backs through the cotton towels and plastic bags used in the delivery room to wrap the newborns. EPIC capacitive sensors made by Plessey were tested for this application on baby and adult volunteers. The sensors were unable to couple a detectable ECG signal through the delivery room materials from the baby volunteers. On the other hand, the sensors were able to collect an ECG signal through thin cotton sheets, which makes them of interest for neonatal intensive care applications where the babies are kept with minimal clothing.

The conductive fabric sensors were tested as a potential method for ECG recordings using dry skin contact, where no skin preparation is needed. Three types of fabric sensors were tested on adult and baby volunteers to record ECG signals from the forehead and left arm. Two of the materials enabled the collection of good quality signals when they were connected to a clinically approved ECG monitor. The advantages of the fabric materials as ECG sensors are their flexibility, which enables them to bend around the body. Besides, they can be easily attached to existent ECG monitors using the ECG standard leads with press studs. The fabric sensors are recommended for further clinical trials.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Hayes-Gill, Barrie Crowe, John Light, Roger
Keywords:	Heart rate monitoring; Capacitive sensors; Fabric sensors; Resuscitation
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Engineering
Item ID:	59906
Depositing User:	Sidahmed, Shiemaa
Date Deposited:	26 Jan 2023 08:26
Last Modified:	26 Jan 2023 08:28
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/59906

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