Extraction of Averaged Fetal and Maternal QRS Complexes from Abdominal Signal by Using Bispectrum-Based Signal Processing

The article deals with strategy dedicated to extracting of fetal QRS complex data. A new technique is proposed for the extracting of averaged maternal and fetal QRS complexes from non-invasive abdominal signals. Proposed technique is based on coherent accumulation of bispectral estimates computed for local abdominal signal fragments which were previously filtered. Novel suggested bispectrum-based technique was studied by using real-life experimental data recorded in the Kharkiv prenatal centers. Experimental results obtained for a number of patients demonstrate the possibility to extract novel kinds of classification features contained in the biamplitude of averaged fetal QRS complex. This averaged QRS complex can be used to determine abnormalities in the fetal heart activity during pregnancy, as well as for further data processing and analysis. The article is of interest for researchers developing the techniques or devices for recording fetus electrocardiograms and diagnostics.