Electrocardiograph with chest assembly, waterproof housing, recording module and wireless transceiver

• US 10,085,664 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2015
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ab medica SpA
• Original Assignee: AB Medica Holding S.P.A. (AB Medica Holding Srl)
• Inventors: Cerruti, Aldo, Paris, Antonino, Marchetti, Stefano, Picciafuoco, Mauro
• Primary Examiner(s): CAREY, MICHAEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US15/111,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20160374583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 600300, 600301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/222 Electrical cables or leads therefor, e.g. coaxial cables or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/225 Connectors or couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/333 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7465 Arrangements for interactive communication between patient and care services, e.g. by using a telephone network telemetry of measured physiological signal A61B5/0002
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A electrocardiograph having a chest assembly intended to be applied to the chest region of a patient and an electronic unit is provided, with a recording module and with a wireless transceiver module. The chest assembly has a plurality of electrodes configured to be connected to the patient'"'"'s body for the recording of an electrocardiogram and respective electrical wires connecting each electrode to the electronic unit. The chest assembly further includes a housing to which the electrical wires are respectively fixed. The electronic unit has a Hall-effect magnetic sensor configured to selectively allow it to mark, to start, stop, record and send an electrocardiogram to a telecommunications network. The electrocardiograph further includes a magnet mounted on a supporting member configured to be worn by a patient to activate the Hall-effect magnetic sensor.

Claims

1. A electrocardiograph having a chest assembly intended to be applied to the body of a patient in the chest region and an electronic unit provided with a recording module and with a wireless transceiver module,

wherein said chest assembly further comprises a plurality of electrodes configured to be connected to the body of a patient for the recording of an electrocardiogram and respective electrical wires connecting each electrode to said electronic unit, the chest assembly further comprising a housing to which said electrical wires are respectively fixed, and first electrical terminals of the wires being restrained to said housing,

wherein said housing is provided with a contact interface configured to be electrically connected to the first electrical terminals, the contact interface comprising a plurality of second electrical terminals protruding outwards said housing and arranged according to a pattern corresponding to the pattern of first electrical terminals of the wires, the number of the second electrical terminals corresponding to the number of the first electrical terminals;

wherein the electronic unit is enclosed in a watertight casing, is configured to be removably fitted in the housing and comprises a Hall-effect magnetic sensor configured to selectively allow, when activated by a magnet, the electronic unit to mark an electrocardiogram, to start and stop recording of an electrocardiogram and/or to send a record of an electrocardiogram to a telecommunications network, and

wherein the electrocardiograph further comprises a magnet, separated from said housing, for the activation of said Hall-effect magnetic sensor when placed from the outside in proximity to said housing, said magnet being mounted on a supporting member configured to be worn by a patient during a monitoring period.

2. A electrocardiograph according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a substantially cylindrical hollow shape and comprises a radially protruding portion housing the first electrical terminals of the wires,

wherein the first electrical terminals being configured as connection pins arranged according to a predetermined pattern in a seat formed in said radially protruding portion of the housing, and

wherein the second electrical terminals housed in the contact interface are restrained to a connector the shape of which matches the shape of said seat.

3. A electrocardiograph according to claim 1, further comprising a peripheral sealing member arranged on the edge of at least one between the housing and the electronic unit.

4. A electrocardiograph according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit comprises a battery of a rechargeable type.

5. A electrocardiograph according to claim 4, wherein the electronic unit comprises a circuit for charging the rechargeable battery, said circuit being provided with a winding configured for wireless power supply according to a resonant mode.

6. A electrocardiograph according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit further comprises a radio frequency identification system (RFID) configured for automatic identification of a patient carrying the electrocardiograph.

7. A electrocardiograph according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit further comprises a motion sensor and a temperature sensor.

8. A electrocardiograph according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit also includes a loudspeaker and a microphone.

9. A electrocardiograph according to claim 8, wherein the electronic unit further comprises a vibrator associated with said loudspeaker.

10. A electrocardiograph according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit has a substantially planar base providing a continuous, external surface upon insertion into the housing.

11. A electrocardiograph according to claim 10, wherein the substantially planar base is free of buttons to facilitate water tightness between the housing and the electronic unit inserted therein.