A CTG appliance is mostly replaced once every 10 years. The acquisition of a CTG monitor also greatly affects the fetal monitoring policy at the longer term. It is therefore essential to make the right choice for the future. Recently, the Swedish manufacturer Neoventa made available the STAN® S31 Basic CTG monitor. This is a basic starting model without ST analysis, offering at least as many possibilities as any classic CTG appliance.
The purchase of the new STAN® S31 Basic CTG monitor, a high-quality CTG appliance at a favourable price, enables hospitals to prepare for the future. An additional upgrade licence allows users to include the ST analysis.
The STAN® S31 Basic CTG monitor is highly suitable for external and internal monitoring, using the following patient sensors:
- Two ultrasound transducers to measure the fetal heart rate (singletons and twins)
- The toco transducer records the uterine activity of the mother
- The leg plate: skull and skin electrodes record the fetal ECG, which is translated by STAN into the fetal heart rate
- Intra-uterine sensor to record the intra-uterine pressure
The relevant data are continually shown on a touch-screen, and if there is a connection with a thermal recorder, also on paper. The STAN recordings are shown and stored in Mosos.
Both the STAN® S31 Basic CTG monitor and the STAN S31 full option allow the implementation of the maternal parameters. The screen and the printed version will show the following parameters:
- Non-invasive blood pressure
- Oxygen saturation
- Maternal heart rate
Neoventa, the Swedish manufacturer of the STAN monitor, has found an intelligent way to prevent confusion between the maternal and fetal heart rates. The maternal heart rate is shown on the screen as a green dotted line, which is clearly different from the continuous line of the fetal heart rate. Both heart rates are automatically checked for coincidence, and if there is any doubt, the system will give a warning. Other maternal parameters are shown at the top of the screen. The Rimkus telemetry now also allows the wireless presentation of the heart rate and contractions by STAN.
Alarms may be visual or audible or a combination of both. The alarms may be set for tachycardia, brachycardia, loss of signal, breech presentation or doubt between two heart rates.
The modular layout of the STAN® S31 Basic CTG monitor allows the inclusion of future functionalities. All present and future parameters can also be implemented into the STAN S31 with ST analysis. In conclusion, one may say that the new STAN® S31 Basic CTG monitor and the STAN S31 full option with ST analysis both guarantee a reliable fetal monitoring policy aimed at the future.