Remote interfacing electrocardiography patch

• US 10,172,534 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2017
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bardy Diagnostics, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bardy Diagnostics, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Felix, Jason, Bishay, Jon Mikalson, Bardy, Gust H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US15/818,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20180070848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• 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 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch is provided. A flexible backing is formed from an elongated strip of material. A pair of electrocardiographic electrodes are exposed on a contact surface of the flexible backing for capturing electrocardiographic signals. A non-conductive receptacle is adhered to an outward-facing surface of the flexible backing and includes a plurality of electrical pads. A flexible circuit has a pair of circuit traces electrically coupled to the pair of electrocardiographic electrodes and a pair of the electrical pads. A wireless transceiver communicates samples of the electrocardiographic signals.

Claims

1. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch, comprising:

a flexible backing formed of an elongated strip of material;

a pair of electrocardiographic electrodes exposed on a contact surface of the flexible backing for capturing electrocardiographic signals with one of the electrocardiographic electrodes on each end of the flexible backing;

a non-conductive receptacle adhered to an outward-facing surface of the flexible backing on one of the ends and comprising a plurality of electrical pads;

a flexible circuit comprising a pair of circuit traces electrically coupled to the pair of electrocardiographic electrodes and a pair of the electrical pads; and

a wireless transceiver to communicate samples of the electrocardiographic signals.

2. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 1, further comprising:

one of the electrocardiographic electrodes being disposed for being adhered to a region overlying the Xiphoid process on a patient'"'"'s chest; and

an other of the electrocardiographic electrodes being disposed for being adhered to the region near the manubrium on the patient'"'"'s chest oriented centrally (in the midline) along the sternum upwards from the one electrocardiographic electrode.

3. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 2, further comprising:

an upper part of the elongated strip defined on one end of the flexible backing and sized to be affixed to a bottom surface of the non-conductive receptacle, the other of the electrocardiographic electrodes being affixed to and conductively exposed on the contact surface of the upper part; and

a lower part of the elongated strip defined on another end of the flexible backing;

the one of the electrocardiographic electrodes being affixed to and conductively exposed on the contact surface of the lower part,

wherein the lower part of the elongated strip is provided for being adhere to the region overlying the Xiphoid process on the patient'"'"'s chest with a midsection oriented centrally (in the midline) along the sternum and the upper part of the elongated strip oriented upwards towards the manubrium.

4. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 1, further comprising:

a moisture-resistant seal formed on a bottom surface of the non-conductive receptacle.

5. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrocardiography monitor having a sealed housing and comprising a set of electrical contacts that protrude from the bottom surface and are arranged in alignment with the electrical pads provided on the non-conductive receptacle.

6. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 5, further comprising:

a plurality of fasteners comprised on the non-conductive receptacle and oriented to securely receive and to hold captive the electrocardiography monitor into the non-conductive receptacle.

7. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 5, further comprising:

at least one of an SpO2 sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, respiratory rate sensor, a glucose sensor, an air flow sensor, and a volumetric pressure sensor provided to supplement the electrocardiography monitor by one of direct incorporation into the electrocardiography monitor and direct receipt on the non-conductive receptacle.

8. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 1, further comprising:

a non-irritating adhesive dressing at least partially coated on each end of the elongated strip on the contact surface.

9. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 1, further comprising:

a battery compartment provided in the non-conductive receptacle and comprising a pair of battery leads electrically coupleable to a battery; and

the non-conductive receptacle further comprising power terminals aligned to electrically interface the pair of battery leads to an electrocardiography monitor.

10. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch according to claim 1, further comprising:

rounded edges defined about a bottom surface of the non-conductive receptacle;

a gel well circumferentially defined about at least one of the electrocardiographic electrodes on the contact surface of the end of the flexible backing on which the at least one electrocardiographic electrode is affixed; and

placement and removal tabs comprised as part of the flexible backing and extending longitudinally beyond at least one end of the flexible backing.

11. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor, comprising:

an electrocardiography patch, comprising;

a flexible backing formed of an elongated strip of material;

a pair of electrocardiographic electrodes exposed on a contact surface of the flexible backing with one of the electrocardiographic electrodes on each end of the flexible backing;

a non-conductive receptacle adhered to an outward-facing surface of the flexible backing on one of the ends and comprising a plurality of electrical pads;

a flexible circuit comprising a pair of circuit traces electrically coupled to the pair of electrocardiographic electrodes and a pair of the electrical pads; and

a wireless transceiver to communicate samples of the electrocardiographic signals; and

an electrocardiography monitor having a sealed housing shaped to fit within the non-conductive receptacle of the electrocardiography patch and comprising a set of electrical contacts that protrude from a bottom surface and are arranged in alignment with the electrical pads provided on the non-conductive receptacle, wherein the electrocardiography monitor comprises electronic circuitry, comprising;

a micro-controller operable to execute under micro programmable control and electrically interfaced to an electrocardiographic front end circuit that is operable to sense electrocardiographic signals through the electrocardiographic electrodes via the pair of the electrical pads; and

a flash memory electrically interfaced with the micro-controller and operable to store the samples of the electrocardiographic signals.

12. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, wherein the electrocardiography monitor comprises a patient-operable tactile-feedback button provided on a top surface of the sealed housing.

13. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, further comprising:

one of the electrocardiographic electrodes being disposed for being adhered to a region overlying the Xiphoid process on a patient'"'"'s chest; and

an other of the electrocardiographic electrodes being disposed for being adhered to the region near the manubrium on the patient'"'"'s chest oriented centrally (in the midline) along the sternum upwards from the one electrocardiographic electrode.

14. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 13, further comprising:

an upper part of the elongated strip defined on one end of the flexible backing and sized to be affixed to a bottom surface of the non-conductive receptacle, the other of the electrocardiographic electrodes being affixed to and conductively exposed on the contact surface of the upper part; and

a lower part of the elongated strip defined on another end of the flexible backing;

the one of the electrocardiographic electrodes being affixed to and conductively exposed on the contact surface of the lower part,

wherein the lower part of the elongated strip is provided for being adhered to the region overlying the Xiphoid process on the patient'"'"'s chest with a midsection oriented centrally (in the midline) along the sternum and the upper part of the elongated strip oriented upwards towards the manubrium.

15. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, further comprising:

a moisture-resistant seal formed on a bottom surface of the non-conductive receptacle.

16. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of fasteners comprised on the non-conductive receptacle and oriented to securely receive and to hold captive the electrocardiography monitor into the non-conductive receptacle.

17. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, further comprising:

at least one of an SpO2 sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, respiratory rate sensor, a glucose sensor, an air flow sensor, and a volumetric pressure sensor provided to supplement the electrocardiography monitor by one of direct incorporation into the electrocardiography monitor and direct receipt on the non-conductive receptacle.

18. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, further comprising:

a non-irritating adhesive dressing at least partially coated on each end of the elongated strip on the contact surface.

19. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, further comprising:

a battery compartment provided in the non-conductive receptacle and comprising a pair of battery leads electrically coupleable to a battery; and

the non-conductive receptacle further comprising power terminals aligned to electrically interface the pair of battery leads to the electrocardiography monitor.

20. A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor according to claim 11, further comprising:

rounded edges defined about a bottom surface of the non-conductive receptacle;

a gel well circumferentially defined about at least one of the electrocardiographic electrodes on the contact surface of the end of the flexible backing on which the at least one electrocardiographic electrode is affixed; and

placement and removal tabs comprised as part of the flexible backing and extending longitudinally beyond at least one end of the flexible backing.