Virtual Holter

• US 20020035336A1
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spacelabs Healthcare LLC (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: DEL Mar Medical Systems, LLC (Bio-Techne Corporation)
• Inventors: Henkin, Raphael
• Granted Patent: US 6,701,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals

Abstract

The Virtual Holter process involves obtaining a Holter recording by conventional means, then down loading that analog or digital data to a PC, then going on line via said PC through and ISP such as DSL, capable of large data transfer, through a USB to tie into a URL web address for a Central Computing Facility, then downloading the Holter data to said URL, then scanning and analyzing said downloaded data at said Central Facility in real time from the remote site, then choosing which alternative analysis sub programs need be run on the stored data, and finally tagging, storing and archiving the raw ECG data and patient demographics, along with results of the various analyses performed on that data in the Central Facility archives for future access.

Claims

1. A method for performing a Holter diagnosis, comprising the following steps:

accumulating ECG data by conventional Holter means,

downloading said data to a PC,

passing said data from the PC over the Internet to a large and complex centralized Holter data analysis computer facility,

scanning and analyzing said Holter data in real time, at the remote site coupled to the Holter Computer Center, on proprietary software on sophisticated computer hardware and software on a temporary/limited license use per hour basis,

returning said processed and analyzed ECG data as it is being scanned and analyzed by an identical reverse path over the Internet to the remote site sending PC, and

disclosing said Holter analysis by conventional means to the patient.

2. Apparatus for performing complex physiological data analysis in real time on patients in remote areas, comprising:

recorder means for accumulating physiological data over an extended period of time from an ambulatory patient in a remote area;

remote computer terminal means for accessing and uploading said recorded data through an Internet Service Provider to the Internet;

central computer site means for coupling with said remote computer terminal over the Internet;

means disposed at said central computer site that enable an operator at said remote site for obtaining a limited and periodic license to access sophisticated software and hardware at said central computer site for performing in real time selectable, specialized data analysis of said physiological data not otherwise accessible at said remote site.