Public Funding for Monica Healthcare Limited

Monica Healthcare sells a unique FDA/CE approved wireless fetal monitoring modality, the AN24, throughout the world for labour and delivery (L&D). The AN24 is attached to a pregnant woman’s abdomen via a lead set connected to ECG electrodes, Fig 1, App A. The device monitors the abdominal fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) and electromyogram signals and extracts fetal heart rate (FHR), maternal heart rate (MHR) and uterine contractions (UA). The existing AN24 represents a technological leap forward, replacing the use of cumbersome belt attached Doppler ultrasound and toco transducers traditionally used for monitoring FHR and UA. The AN24 connects via Bluetooth to the installed monitor produced by Philips, GE and others, as well as a Tablet or Smart Phone. The AN24 brings multiple benefits over the Doppler/TOCO technology, specifically: improved accuracy; minimal MHR/ FHR confusion, improved patient comfort, wireless mobility; reduced nurse supervision time; and good performance for high BMI women. The project will develop a solution to overcome the user concerns associated with the current AN24 via the introduction of a single use wireless fetal monitoring Patch (a semi-disposable variant will also be produced). The development will shrink the existing AN24 electronics; cabling; and electrodes into a single use disposable wireless patch whilst retaining the core IP i.e. the AN24 signal processing software. The development will remove barriers to sale, specifically; ease of use & hygiene\ infection control (the AN24 requires extensive cleaning after use since it is hung around the patient’s neck to aid mobility and so becomes messy when the newborn baby is placed on the mothers chest). The addressable market in the EU, USA, Japan and BRIC countries is 17M monitored births/yr. This 16 mth project will result in launch of the first innovative fully wearable fetalmaternal monitoring patch in 2014. Turnover is projected to increase to £34M by 2017.