Huntleigh Healthcare announced today that its Dawes-Redman CTG Analysis™ technology has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marking a significant advancement in electronic fetal monitoring for the American healthcare system.
The technology, which has been in use globally for decades, provides an objective assessment of non-stress test (NST) traces by comparing them against "criteria of normality" derived from a database of more than 100,000 traces and their clinical outcomes. This evidence-based approach aims to improve trace interpretation and potentially prevent adverse outcomes for newborns and their families.
"Introducing the Dawes Redman analysis to the US marks a significant milestone, leading the way for a standardized and modernized maternity care approach," said Gang Zhang, Managing Director of Huntleigh Healthcare. "This objective assessment empowers clinicians to uncover the invisible insights, offering reassurance and clarity during critical moments."
How the Technology Works
The Dawes-Redman algorithm evaluates several critical parameters that indicate fetal wellbeing, including:
- Basal heart rate
- Sinusoidal rhythms
- Short-term variation (STV) of the fetal heart rate—a factor that cannot be calculated manually
Developed at the University of Oxford by Professors Geoffrey Dawes and Chris Redman, the algorithm has undergone continuous refinement over four decades and is supported by more than 125 peer-reviewed articles published internationally. Recent advancements have reduced analysis time for a healthy trace to as little as ten minutes, compared to the 30 minutes or more typically required by clinicians.
The technology's high specificity in identifying fetal wellbeing has been documented in clinical studies, including a 2025 performance evaluation published in Ultrasound Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Clinical Impact and Availability
The Dawes-Redman CTG Analysis is exclusively available in Huntleigh's Sonicaid™ TEAM3 series of fetal monitors and the OBIX BeCA® fetal monitor distributed in the USA by Clinical Computer Systems Incorporated.
Gabriel Jones, Director of Dawes Redman R&D at the University of Oxford, expressed enthusiasm about the FDA clearance: "The entire team is delighted to see the Dawes Redman algorithm gain FDA 510(k) clearance, marking a significant step towards improving antenatal care in the U.S. For decades, our team has worked to refine this technology, ensuring it provides clinicians with a reliable, evidence-based tool for assessing fetal wellbeing."
The technology has already gained significant recognition in other countries. In the United Kingdom, it was specifically recommended in the second version of NHS England's 'Saving Babies Lives' care bundle, establishing computerized CTG analysis as a standard component of maternal care protocols.
US Market Introduction
Todd Blockinger, Business Unit Director for Huntleigh USA, highlighted the anticipation surrounding the US launch: "We are tremendously excited to bring Dawes Redman to the US. We've been quite envious of our colleagues across the globe being able to offer this life-saving technology to their clinical stakeholders, so we can't wait to bring these benefits to the American maternal care communities."
The FDA clearance represents a culmination of decades of research and development, potentially offering US clinicians a new tool to enhance the standard of care in fetal monitoring. By providing objective analysis that can be completed in less time than traditional methods, the technology may help address challenges in maternal care delivery while improving clinical decision-making.
Huntleigh Healthcare, a member of the Arjo family, has been at the forefront of maternity product innovation for over 40 years. The company develops and manufactures a range of fetal Dopplers and monitors, along with software systems designed for various maternity care environments.
