{"id":39426,"key":"Global_Health_Medical_Device_Compendium/Freeplay_Fetal_Heart_Rate_Monitor","title":"Global Health Medical Device Compendium/Freeplay Fetal Heart Rate Monitor","latest":{"id":1267558,"timestamp":"2026-09-10T13:49:33Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"[[File:Freeplay.jpg|thumb]]\n\n{{GHMDC device data\n| health-topic = Child mortality\n| classification = Diagnosis\n| scope = Commercialized\n| made = No\n| replicated = No\n| manufacturer-location = Cape Town, South Africa\n}}\n\nNewborn mortality accounts for over half of all infant deaths. In developing countries, where giving birth at home is common, there may be a lack of electricity to support delivery. Hand cranked heart rate monitors are more suitable for rural settings than expensive Western-derived equipment which can be difficult to repair and often rely on replaceable batteries. Discovering lowered heart rate during contractions gives medical workers a chance to suspend delivery, try to get more sophisticated medical assistance, and protect the well being of the mother and infant.\n\n== Detailed description of the solution ==\n\nThis device measures the infant's heart rate during birth. The design includes an obstetrics ultrasound device connected to the main unit by a cord. It also contains a power-management electronic module, a sound amplifier and a crank for winding up the device. This robust design is meant to withstand wear and tear. Cranking its onboard power-supply charger for one minute provides 10 minutes of operation.\n\n== Designed by ==\n\n* Designed by: Philip Goodwin (industrial designer), Stefan Zwahlen (electronics designer) and John Hutchinson (project leader) in Cape Town, South Africa.\n* Manufacturing: This device is manufactured by Ultrasound Technologies Ltd in Caldicot, South Wales, United Kingdom. Website available [http://www.doppler.co.uk/ here].\n\n== When and where it was tested/implemented ==\n\nThis device was tested in South Africa and is now available on the market.\n\n== References ==\n\n=== Peer-reviewed publication ===\n\nWoods, D. (2009). Appropriate technology and education for improved intrapartum care in under-resourced countries. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 15(3), 78-79.\n\n(Author unknown). (2009). Freeplay Fetal Heart rate monitor a winner. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 15(3), 77-77.\n\n=== Other internally generated reports ===\n\nDatasheet for the Fetal Heart Rate Monitor. PDF available [http://www.doppler.co.uk/datasheets/freeplayFHRM%20.pdf here].\n\nFetal Heart Monitor. Freeplay. Link available [http://www.freeplayenergy.com/page-view.php?pagename=Fetal-Heart-Monitor here].\n\n=== Externally generated reports ===\n\nFetal Heart Rate Monitor. Mandate: Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology. PDF available [http://mnhtech.org/uploads/Fetal%20Heart%20Rate%20Monitor.pdf here].\n\nFetal Heart Rate Monitor by Philip Goodwin, Stefan Zwahlen and John Hutchinson. DesignBoom. Link available [http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/7425/fetal-heart-rate-monitor-by-philip-goodwin-stefan-zwahlen-and-john-hutchinson.html here].\n\nFreeplay grid-free, crank-powered fetal Monitor. Maternova. Link available [http://maternova.net/health-innovations/freeplay-grid-free-crank-powered-fetal-monitor here].\n\nHand-cranked fetal monitor by Freeplay. Maternova. Link available [http://maternova.net/news/hand-cranked-fetal-monitor-freeplay here].\n\nIndex: Design to Improve Life. Link available [http://www.indexaward.dk/index.php?option=com_content_custom&view=article&id=373:free-play-fetal-heart-reat-monitor&catid=9:winners-2009&Itemid=20 here].\n\n{{Page data\n| sdg = SDG03 Good health and well-being, SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| language = en\n| description = Discover the Freeplay Fetal Heart Rate Monitor, a hand-cranked device designed for safe delivery in low-resource settings, improving neonatal care in developing countries.\n}}"}