System and method for non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters

• US 20030028117A1
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Curavita Corporation
• Original Assignee: The Curavita Corporation
• Inventors: Hampton, Thomas G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,065,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/251 Means for maintaining electrode contact with the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/266 containing electrolytes, conductive gels or pastes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/28 for electrocardiography [ECG]

Abstract

A method and apparatus for enabling the non-invasive acquisition of physiological parameters of a mammal, while allowing the mammal to move around a predetermined area is provided. In accordance with one example embodiment, a monitoring device for non-invasively acquiring physiological measurements of a mammal is provided. The device includes a first electrode configured to attach to an ear of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a first electrical signal. A second electrode is configured to attach to a first alternate location of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a second electrical signal. A third electrode is configured to attach to a second alternate location of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a third electrical signal. The first electrode, second electrode, and third electrode are in communication with a signal receiver. Physiological parameters, such as those associated with electrocardiograms, can be obtained using the monitoring device.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for non-invasively acquiring physiological measurements of a mammal, comprising:

a first electrode configured to make electrical contact with an ear of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a first electrical signal;

a second electrode configured to make electrical contact with a first alternate location of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a second electrical signal; and

a third electrode configured to make electrical contact with a second alternate location of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a third electrical signal;

wherein the first electrode, second electrode, and third electrode are in communication with a signal receiver.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the physiological measurements comprise measurements for creating an electrocardiogram.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mammal comprises a rodent.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the mammal is conscious while the physiological measurements are obtained.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises at least one of a conditioner, a recorder, a signal amplifier, and a processor.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first alternate location comprises at least one of a second ear, a foot, an arm, and a tail.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode, second electrode, and third electrode each further comprise an electrical contact for detecting the first electrical signal in the form of at least one of a sponge, a paper material, an electrically conductive fluid reservoir, and an electrode contact means.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an apparatus for rectifying the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, and the third electrical signal to form an electrocardiogram.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the mammal can move about a predetermined area while in electrical communication with the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact is made by positioning at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode with at least one of a removable fastener and structure supporting at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode for passive contact with the mammal.

11. A monitoring device for non-invasively acquiring physiological measurements of a mammal, comprising:

a first electrode configured to make electrical contact with an ear of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a first electrical signal;

a second electrode configured to make electrical contact with a first alternate location of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a second electrical signal; and

a means for electrical signal detection in a manner suitable for obtaining a third electrical signal;

wherein the first electrode, second electrode, and the means for electrical signal detection are in communication with a signal receiver.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the means for electrical signal detection comprises an electrically conductive fluid in which the mammal is at least partially immersed.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the physiological measurements comprise measurements for creating an electrocardiogram.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the mammal comprises a rodent.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the mammal is conscious while the physiological measurements are obtained.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the receiver comprises at least one of a conditioner, a recorder, a signal amplifier, and a processor.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the first alternate location comprises at least one of a second ear, a foot, an arm, and a tail.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein the first electrode and second electrode each further comprise an electrical contact for detecting the first electrical signal in the form of at least one of a sponge, a paper material, an electrically conductive fluid reservoir, and an electrode contact means.

19. The device of claim 11, further comprising an apparatus for rectifying the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, and the third electrical signal to form an electrocardiogram.

20. The device of claim 11, wherein the mammal can move about a predetermined area while in electrical communication with the first electrode, the second electrode, and the means for electrical signal detection.

21. The device of claim 11, wherein the electrical contact is made by positioning at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode with at least one of a removable fastener and structure supporting at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode for passive contact with the mammal.

22. A method of non-invasively acquiring a physiological measurement of a mammal, comprising:

establishing an electrical connection between a first electrode and a first ear of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a first electrical signal;

establishing an electrical connection between a second electrode and a first alternate location of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a second electrical signal;

establishing an electrical connection between a means for electrical signal detection and the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining a third electrical signal;

receiving the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, and the third electrical signal at a receiver; and

rectifying the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, and the third electrical signal into the physiological measurement.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the physiological measurement comprises an electrocardiogram.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the mammal comprises a rodent.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein establishing an electrical connection comprises positioning the first electrode and the second electrode with at least one of a removable fastener and structure supporting at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode for passive contact with the mammal.

26. A method of non-invasively acquiring a physiological measurement of a mammal, comprising:

receiving a first electrical signal originating from a first ear of the mammal;

receiving a second electrical signal originating from a first alternate location of the mammal;

receiving a third electrical signal originating from a second alternate location of the mammal; and

rectifying the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, and the third electrical signal into the physiological measurement.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the physiological measurement comprises an electrocardiogram.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the mammal comprises a rodent.