Developing a wearable device to monitor fetal heart rates
Official title: Examining the feasibility of a wearable device for fetal heart rate monitoring through interdisciplinary research
Funded at Wichita State University · NIH-10360144 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use device that can safely check your baby's heart rate without any wires, and it's designed for pregnant women in rural areas to help make sure both moms and babies stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wichita State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wichita, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $413,347 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HD107526-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10360144 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-risk pregnant women living in rural areas who are seeking improved prenatal monitoring options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with high-risk pregnancies or those who do not reside in rural areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a wireless, non-invasive device that can monitor fetal heart rates through a skin-wearable electrocardiogram. The project will involve testing the device in a rural healthcare setting with low-risk pregnant women to ensure its functionality and acceptability. By engaging with the community, the research team will gather insights on the needs and preferences of women who have been pregnant, which will help refine the device and its use in clinical care. The ultimate goal is to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in underserved areas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a reliable and accessible method for monitoring fetal health, enhancing prenatal care for women in rural communities.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using wearable technology for health monitoring, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Wichita State University
Wichita, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keene Woods, Nikki — Wichita State University
- Study coordinator: Keene Woods, Nikki
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.