Wireless electrocardiograph system and method

• US 20030199777A1
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeSync Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Williams, Daniel L., Lodato, Franco, Hopman, Nicholas C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,272,428 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 5/256 Wearable electrodes, e.g. having straps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/257 using adhesive means, e.g. adhesive pads or tapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/28 for electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

A method and system for wireless ECG monitoring is provided. An electrode connector, transmitter and receiver operate with existing electrodes and ECG monitors. The electrode connector includes connectors for attaching to disposable or reusable single electrodes. The transmitter transmits the signals from the electrodes to the receiver. The receiver passes the electrode signals to the ECG monitor for processing. ECG monitors used with an electrical conductor, for example wire connections to electrodes, are connected with the receiver, avoiding the purchase of a new monitor. Any legacy ECG monitor, including different ECG monitors, connects with the receiver using the ECG monitor'"'"'s lead-wires. The ECG monitor operates as if directly connected to the electrodes without the problems discussed above associated with wires running from the ECG monitor to the patient.

Claims

1. An electrode connector for physiological monitoring of a patient, the connector comprising:

material operable to interconnect a plurality of electrodes; and

a plurality of electrode connectors provided on the material, the connectors being releasable and rejoinable;

wherein the material comprises a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of electrode connectors and wherein the plurality of arms are configured relative to each other to aid in positioning the plurality of electrode connectors on the patient.

2. The electrode connector of claim 1 wherein the electrode connectors are adapted to withstand the electrical energy produced by a defibrillator used on the patient.

3. The electrode connector of claim 1 wherein the plurality of arms comprise at least four arms associated with hexaxial electrodes, the at least four arms connected at angles to each other, the angles corresponding to relative hexaxial positions on the patient.

4. The electrode connector of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of arms include an electrical conductor.

5. The electrode connector of claim 4 wherein each of the electrical conductors electrically connects with the respective electrode connector.

6. The electrode connector of claim 1 wherein at least a first of the plurality of arms corresponds to a hexaxial electrode position and at least a second of the plurality of arms corresponds to a precordial electrode position, the first and second arms being connected such that each of the first and second arms is disposed towards the corresponding electrode positions.

7. The electrode connector of claim 6 wherein the second arm connects to the first arm.

8. The electrode connector of claim 1 further comprising a belt, at least one of the plurality of expandable arms connecting with the belt.

9. The electrode connector of claim 8 wherein a first arm comprises a hexaxial electrode arm connected with the belt and a second arm comprises a hexaxial and precordial electrode arm connected with the belt, the first and second arms connected with the belt such that the first arm extending from the belt to a first hexaxial electrode position avoids intersection with the second arm extending from the belt to a second hexaxial and a first precordial electrode positions.

10. The electrode connector of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of arms extends from a central position to corresponding electrode positions without intersection, each of the plurality of arms being extendable and comprising a memoryless material.

11. A system for monitoring electrical signals generated by a patient, the system comprising:

a transmitter operable to transmit electrode signals from a plurality of electrodes, including means for selectively turning-on the transmitter; and

a receiver responsive to the transmitter to reproduce the electrode signals, the receiver having an output connector;

wherein the output connector is operable to connect with electrode lead-wires of an ECG monitor, the output connector having outputs corresponding to specific ones of the plurality of electrodes.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the means for selectively turning-on the transmitter comprises a switch, the switch operable to perform one connection from the group of:

connecting the transmitter to at least one of the plurality of electrodes, connecting the transmitter to at least one of a plurality of electrode connector wires, and connecting the transmitter to at least one of a plurality of electrode connector arms.

13. The system of claim 11 further including means for determining an electrode malfunction.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the ECG monitor is operable to receive a lead-off signal from the receiver if an electrode malfunction is determined.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the receiver generates the electrode signals free of ECG vector processing.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

at least one electrode connector electrically connectable with the transmitter and an electrode.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a belt electrically connectable with the transmitter, wherein the transmitter connects with the belt on a surface of the belt.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the receiver comprises a connector operable to hold the receiver to the ECG monitor.

19. A method for connecting electrodes for ECG monitoring, the method comprising the acts of:

(a) placing a plurality of electrodes onto a patient in a preselected positions;

(b) positioning a plurality of arms, one arm provided for each of the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of arms one of connected and connectable relative to each other to align with the preselected position of each of the plurality of electrodes; and

,

(c) connecting the plurality of arms to the plurality of electrodes, respectively.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein (a) comprises placing the plurality of electrodes for hexaxial-lead monitoring, the preselected positions being hexaxial electrode positions.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein (a) comprises placing the plurality of electrodes for precordial-lead monitoring, the preselected positions being precordial electrode positions.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein (a) comprises placing the plurality of electrodes for both hexaxial-lead and precordial-lead monitoring, the preselected positions being hexaxial and precordial positions.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

(d) transmitting signals from the plurality of electrodes with a radio.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein (c) comprises electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of arms with a snap terminal.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein (b) comprises positioning the plurality of arms at different angles from a central hub.

26. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

(d) connecting a precordial-lead arm with a hexaxial-lead expandable arm.

27. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

(d) connecting at least one of the plurality of arms to a belt.