System for, and method of, acquiring physiological signals of a patient

• US 20040092801A1
• Filed: 11/13/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Recom Managed Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Recom Managed Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Drakulic, Budimir
• Application Number:
  US10/293,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20040092801A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/30 Input circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/33 specially adapted for cooperation with other devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/333 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/374 Detecting the frequency distribution of signals, e.g. detecting delta, theta, alpha, beta or gamma waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea

Abstract

A host directs a microprocessor to command each of a plurality of amplifiers to process signals relative to individual ones of a plurality of physiological signals in a patient. The signals are provided to the amplifiers by terminals which are connected to different parts of the patient'"'"'s body. The terminals provide signals to the amplifiers simultaneously but the microcompressor processes the signals sequentially. The microprocessor tests and calibrates the amplifiers before processing the signals from the terminals. The amplifiers have substantially the same construction regardless of where the associated terminals are disposed on the patient'"'"'s body. The amplifiers may be provided with characteristics to eliminate noise and to provide output signals in a limited frequency range in which the relative phases of the signals in the limited frequency range are preserved.

Claims

1. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

an amplifier constructed to measure and process the physiological rights of the patient and to provide analog signals representative of the measurements,

an analog-to-digital converter operationally coupled to the amplifier for converting the analog signals to digital signals,

a microprocessor for selecting individual ones of the physiological signals to be measured and processed by the amplifier and for adjusting characteristics of the amplifier to measure and process the selected physiological signals, the microprocessor being operative to receive the digital signals from the converters, and

a member operatively coupled to the microprocessor for receiving the digital signals from the microprocessor.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1,

the physiological signals including signals having particular frequency ranges, and the microprocessor being operative to select an individual one of the particular frequency ranges to be measured and processed by the amplifier.

3. In a combination asset forth in claim 1,

the physiological signals including signals having particular amplitude gains and

the microprocessor being operative to select an individual one of the particular amplitude gains for the signals measured and processed by the amplifier.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein

an impedance included in the amplifier is provided with different values to provide the particular frequency ranges and wherein

the impedance is provided by the microprocessor with an individual one of the impedance values to select an individual one of the frequency ranges for the signals.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein

a first impedance is included in the amplifier and is provided with different values to provide the signals with a particular high pass frequency and wherein

a second impedance is provided with an individual one of different values to provide the amplifier with the particular gain.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 2,

the physiological signals including signals having particular amplitude gains, and

the microprocessor being operative to select an individual one of the particular amplitude gains for the signals measured and processed by the amplifier.

7. In a combination as set forth in claim 4,

the physiological signals including signals having particular amplitude gains;

the microprocessor being operative to select an individual one of the particular amplitude gains for the signals measured and processed by the amplifier, and

a first impedance included in the amplifier and provided with different values to provide the signals with a particular frequency,

the impedance being provided with an individual one of the different values to provide the amplifier with the particular frequency.

8. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

a plurality of amplifiers each constructed to measure and process the physiological conditions of the patient and to provide analog signals representative of the measurements,

a microprocessor for selecting individual ones of the physiological signals to be measured and processed by each of the amplifiers,

each of the amplifiers being operatively coupled to the microprocessor to measure and process the individual ones of the physiological conditions selected by the microprocessor to be measured and processed, and

a sample-and-hold circuit operatively coupled to the amplifiers to provide for a simultaneous measurement of the selected physiological signals in the amplifiers and to process the physiological signals sequentially.

9. In a combination as set forth in claim 8,

the signals produced by the sample-and-hold circuit being analog signals, and

an analog-to-digital converter responsive to the analog signals from the sample-and-hold circuit for converting the signals to digital signals.

10. In a combination as set forth in claim 9,

an output stage,

the microprocessor being connected to the converter for receiving the digital signals from the converter for each of the amplifiers and for introducing the digital signals to the output stage.

11. In a combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein

each of the amplifiers includes a stage with different values of an impedance and where the different values of the impedance affect the gain of the amplifier and wherein

the microprocessor determines the gain of the signals from each amplifier and provides for an adjustment in the value of the impedance to maintain the gain of the amplifier within the particular limits.

12. In a combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein

each of the amplifiers includes a stage with different values of an impedance and wherein the different values of the impedance for the amplifier affect the frequency of the signals provided by the amplifier and wherein

the microprocessor determines the frequency of the signals to be provided by each of the amplifiers and provides for an adjustment in the value of the impedance to provide the determined frequency.

13. In a combination as set forth in claim 9,

an output stage,

the microprocessor being connected to the converter for receiving the digital signals from the converter for each of the amplifiers and for introducing the digital signals to the output stage.

14. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein

each of the amplifiers includes a stage with different values of an impedance and wherein the different values of the impedance in the amplifier affect the frequency of the signals provided by the amplifier and wherein

the microprocessor determines the frequency of the signals to be provided by each of the amplifiers and provides for an adjustment in the value of the impedance to produce the physiological signals within a particular frequency range.

15. In a combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein

each of the amplifiers includes a stage with different values of a first impedance and where the different values of the first impedance affect the frequency of the amplifier and where

the microprocessor provides for an adjustment in the value of the first impedance to provide the frequency of the signals within a particular frequency range and wherein

each of the amplifiers includes a stage with different values of a second impedance and wherein the different values of the second impedance affect the gain of the signals provided by the amplifier and wherein

the microprocessor determines the frequency of the signals to be provided by each of the amplifiers and provides for an adjustment in the value of the second impedance to provide the determine gain.

16. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions parameters of a patient,

a plurality of amplifiers each operative to provide measurements and processing of the physiological conditions of a patient,

input circuitry operative to select an operation of each of the amplifiers to measure and process individual ones of the physiological conditions,

sample-and-hold circuitry operative to sample the amplifiers simultaneously to obtain physiological signals representative of the individual ones of the physiological conditions selected for the amplifiers and to process the physiological signals from the different amplifiers sequentially, and

output circuitry for analyzing the characteristics of the processed signals.

17. In a combination as set forth in claim 16,

a microprocessor for providing for the sampling of the amplifiers on a simultaneous basis and the measuring and processing of the sampled signals on a sequential basis.

18. In a combination as set forth in claim 17,

the physiological conditions being measured in the characteristics of the signals produced by the amplifiers,

the microprocessor being operative to adjust the gain of each of the amplifiers to be between particular lower and upper limits in accordance with the selection provided by the input circuitry and to adjust the frequency of the signals in accordance with the characteristics of the physiological conditions being measured, and

the microprocessor being operative to provide the signals from the amplifiers after the adjustment in the gain and the frequency of the signals.

19. In a combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein

the physiological conditions are provided in the characteristics of the signals produced by the amplifiers and wherein

the microprocessor is operative to adjust the frequency range of each of the amplifiers in accordance with the selection of the physiological conditions by the input circuitry and wherein

the amplifier is operative to provide the signals to the sample-and-hold circuit after the adjustment of the frequency range of the signals in the amplifier.

20. In a combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein

the adjustment in the gain in each of the amplifiers to be between the particular upper and lower limits is provided by adjusting the value of an impedance in the amplifier.

21. In a combination as set forth in claim 19 wherein

the adjustment in that frequency range of the signals in each of the amplifiers is provided by adjusting the value of an impedance in the amplifier.

22. In a combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein

the physiological conditions are measured in the characteristics of the signals produced by the amplifiers and wherein

the microprocessor is operative to adjust the frequency range of each of the amplifiers in accordance with the selection of the physiological conditions by the input circuitry and wherein

the amplifier is operative to provide the signals to the sample-and-hold circuit after the adjustment of the frequency range of the signals in the amplifier.

23. In combination for determining individual ones of plurality of physiological conditions of a patient in each of a plurality of channels,

a host for indicating individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient in each of the channels,

a plurality of amplifiers each disposed in an individual one of the channels,

a microprocessor responsive to the indications from the host of the individual ones of the physiological signals for the channels to provide the physiological signals for the channel,

the amplifiers being operative upon the provision of the individual ones of the physiological signals for the channel to provide output signals indicative of the physiological condition,

the microprocessor being responsive to the signals from the amplifiers for introducing the signals to the host.

24. In a combination as set forth in claim 23,

a plurality of terminals each connected to the patient at a particular position on the patient and each operative to provide signals representative of the physiological status condition of the patient upon the provision of the individual ones of the physiological signals for the channel.

25. In a combination as set forth in claim 23,

the physiological signals for each of the amplifiers being related to the frequency range of the signals in the amplifier.

26. In a combination as set forth in claim 23,

the microprocessor being responsive to the gain of the output signals for adjusting the gain to be within particular upper and lower limits.

27. In a combination as set forth in claim 24 wherein

one of the physiological signals for each of the amplifiers is related to the frequency range of the signals in the amplifiers and wherein

the microprocessor is responsive to the gain of the signals from each of the amplifiers for adjusting the gain to be within particular limits.

28. In a combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient in each of a plurality of channels,

a plurality of amplifiers each constructed to provide signals indicative of individual ones of the different physiological conditions,

a plurality of terminals each connected to an individual one of the amplifiers to provide to the amplifier signals indicative of the individual ones of the physiological conditions for amplification of the signals by the amplifier, the terminals being adapted to be applied to the body of the patient,

a host for indicating the physiological conditions to be determined by each of the amplifiers, and

a microprocessor responsive to signals from the host for introducing the signals to the amplifiers to control the operation of each of the amplifiers in providing signals in an individual range of frequencies dependent upon the physiological conditions being measured by the amplifier where the characteristics of the signals from the amplifier are representative of the physiological conditions being provided by the amplifier.

29. In a combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein

the microprocessor activates the amplifiers simultaneously to obtain signals simultaneously on a real time basis from the amplifiers and wherein

circuitry is provided for processing the signals sequentially from the amplifiers.

30. In a combination as set forth in claim 29 wherein

the microprocessor provides for the amplifiers to maintain the gains of the amplifiers within particular minimum and maximum limits.

31. In a combination as set forth in claim 29 wherein

sample-and-hold circuitry is provided to receive the signals produced simultaneously on a real time basis by the amplifiers and to provide for the passage of the received signals on a sequential basis from the amplifiers and wherein

the signals passing sequentially from the sample-and-hold circuitry are processed and the processed signals are introduced to the host.

32. In a combination as set forth in claim 29 wherein

sample-and-hold circuitry is provided to receive the signals produced simultaneously on a real time basis by the amplifiers and to provide for the passage of the received signals on a sequential basis from the amplifiers and wherein

the signals passing sequentially from the sample-and-hold circuitry are processed and the processed signals are introduced to the host.

33. In combination as set forth in claim 29 wherein

the microprocessor provides for the amplifiers to maintain the gains of the amplifiers within particular minimum and maximum limits and wherein.

sample-and-hold circuitry is provided to receive the signals produced simultaneously on a real time basis by the amplifiers and to provide for the passage of the received signals on a sequential basis from the amplifiers and wherein

the signals passing sequentially from the sample-and-hold circuitry are processed and the processed signals are introduced to the host.

35. In a combination as set forth in claim 33 wherein

the microprocessor adjusts the gain of each of the amplifiers to be within particular minimum and maximum limits and whereon

the host provides for the microprocessor to obtain from the amplifiers, after the high process filter and the gain control have been adjusted in accordance with the instructions from the host, signals having characteristics of the physiological conditions to be determined by the amplifiers.

36. In a combination as set forth in claim 33,

the high pass filter in each of the amplifiers being constructed to pass signals through a first range of frequencies,

each of the amplifiers also including stages for reducing the frequency of the signals from the first range to a range of frequencies in which the physiological conditions occur.

37. In a combination as set forth in claim 33 wherein

the amplifiers are constructed from a plurality of components and wherein

the amplifiers have the same construction with the same component values regardless of the parameters being determined by the amplifiers with the exception of variations in a value of an impedance in the high pass filter and variations in a value of an impedance in the gain control circuit.

34. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions for a patient in each of a plurality of channels,

a plurality of amplifiers each constructed to provide signals indicative of individual ones of the plurality of different physiological conditions, each of the amplifiers including a high pass filter and a gain control circuit,

a plurality of terminals each connected to an individual one of the amplifiers to provide to the amplifiers signals indicative of the individual ones of the physiological conditions from the amplifiers, the terminals being adapted to be applied to the body of the patient,

a microprocessor associated with the amplifiers for adjusting the operation of the high pass filters in each of the amplifiers in accordance with the physiological conditions to be indicated by the amplifiers and for adjusting the gain of the amplifiers to be within particular minimum and maximum limits, and

a host for providing instructions to the microprocessor to control the adjustments provided by the microprocessor in the high pass filter in each of the amplifiers.

38. In a combination as set forth in claim 34,

the high pass filter in each of the amplifiers being constructed to pass signals through a first range of frequencies,

each of the amplifiers also including stages for reducing the frequency of the signals from the first range to a range of frequencies in which the physiological conditions occur and wherein

the amplifiers are constructed from a plurality of components and wherein the amplifiers have the same construction with the same component values regardless of the physiological conditions being determined by the amplifiers with the exception of variations in a value of an impedance in the high pass filter and variations in a value of an impedance in the gain control circuit.

40. In a combination as set forth in claim 38,

each of the recorders including an amplifier having adjustable characteristics,

the station being responsive to an improper operation of each of the recorders for adjusting the characteristics of the recorder to have the recorder operate properly.

41. In a combination as set forth in claim 38,

one of the adjustable characteristics in each of the recorders being the frequency range of the amplifier in each of the recorders,

the station being responsive to an improper operation of each of the recorders for adjusting the frequency characteristics of the amplifier in the recorder to have the recorder operate properly.

42. In a combination as set forth in claim 38,

one of the adjustable characteristics in each of the recorders being the gain of the amplifier in the recorder,

the station being responsive to an improper operation of each of the recorders for adjusting the gain of the recorder to have the recorder operate properly.

43. In a combination as set forth in claim 38,

a plurality of terminals each associated with an individual one of the recorders and each constructed to be connected to the patient'"'"'s body to have the recorder provide a determination of individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient.

39. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

a plurality of programmable recorders for indicating individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient,

a central archive and study evaluation center for instructing each of the recorders to indicate individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient,

a digital subscriber line,

first ones of the recorders being operative to communicate with the station through the digital subscriber line,

a high speed modem,

second ones of the recorders being operative to communicate with the station on a wireless basis through the modem,

each of the recorders being operative to transmit to the stations signals indicative of the physiological conditions being determined by the recorder in accordance with the instructions from the station,

the station being responsive to the signals from each of the recorders to determine if the recorder is operating properly and being operative, upon an improper operation of the recorders, to change the operation of the recorders to have the recorders operate properly.

44. In a combination as set forth in claim 39,

one of the adjustable characteristics being the frequency range of the amplifier in each of the recorders,

the station being responsive to an improper operation of each of the recorders for adjusting the frequency characteristics of the amplifier in the recorder to have the recorder operate properly.

another one of the adjustable characteristics in each of the recorders being the gain of the amplifier in the recorder,

the station being responsive to an improper operation of each of the recorders for adjusting the gain of the recorder to have the recorder operate properly.

a plurality of terminals each associated with an individual one of the recorders and each constructed to be connected to the patient'"'"'s body to have the recorder provide a determination of individual ones of the physiological signals of the patient.

46. In a combination as set forth in claim 44,

each of the recorders including an amplifier,

each of the amplifiers being programmable to adjust the frequency range of the signals provided by the amplifier and being programmable to adjust the gain of the amplifier.

47. In a combination as set forth in claim 44,

a plurality of terminals each associated with an individual one of the recorders and each constructed to be connected to the patient'"'"'s body to have the recorder provide a determination of individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient.

52. In a combination as set forth in claim 47 wherein

the gain is adjustable on a binary basis to provide a number of different gains dependent upon the value of the binary bits.

45. In a combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

a plurality of programmable recorders for indicating individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient,

a central archive and study evaluation station for instructing each of the recorders to indicate individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient,

a digital subscriber line,

first one of the recorders being operative to communicate with the station through the digital signal line,

a high speed modem,

second ones of the recorders being operative to communicate with the station on a wireless basis through the modem,

each of the recorders being operative to transmit to the station signals indicative of the physiological conditions being determined by the recorder in accordance with the instructions from the station.

48. In combination as set forth in claim 45,

each of the amplifiers having an identical construction regardless of the physiological conditions to be determined by the associated recorder except for a first impedance having adjustable characteristics dependent upon the frequency range of the recorder and except for a second impedance having adjustable characteristics to provide a gain in the amplifier between upper and lower limits.

49. In a combination as set forth in claim 45,

a plurality of terminals each associated with an individual one of the recorders and each constructed to be connected to the patient'"'"'s body to have the recorder provide a determination of individual ones of the physiological signals of the patient, and

each of the amplifiers having an identical construction regardless of the physiological conditions to be determined by the associated recorder except for a first impedance having adjustable characteristics dependent upon the frequency range of the recorder and except for a second impedance having adjustable characteristics to provide a gain in the amplifier between upper and lower limits.

51. In a combination as set forth in claim 49 wherein

a plurality of amplifiers including the first amplifier are provided and wherein

the construction of the amplifiers remains substantially constant regardless of the physiological conditions being determined by the amplifiers except that a first impedance is adjustable, in the stage providing the adjustable frequency and except that a second impedance is adjustable in the stage providing the adjustable gain, to adjust the frequency and gain of the signals passing through the stage in accordance with the physiological signals to be determined by the amplifiers.

53. In a combination as set forth in claim 49 wherein

the filter is adjustable on a binary basis to provide a number of different ranges of frequencies dependent upon the value of the binary bits.

54. In a combination as set forth in claim 49 wherein

the gain is adjustable on a binary basis to provide a number of different gains dependent upon the value of the binary bits and wherein

the filter is adjustable on a binary basis to provide a number of different ranges of frequencies dependent upon the value of the binary bits.

56. In a combination as set forth in claim 54 wherein

the gain stage provides for a binary control in the gain provided in the gain stage to maintain the gain between the particular maximum and minimum limits.

57. In a combination as set forth in claim 54 wherein

an additional gain stage is provided and the additional gain stage includes a capacitor and includes members for limiting the amplitudes of the signals passing through the stage to provide for a rapid discharge of the capacitor to maintain the characteristics of the signals in the additional gain stage.

58. In a combination as set forth in claim 54 wherein

terminals are provided for coupling to the patient'"'"'s body to provide signals having frequency ranges dependent upon the positioning of the terminals on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein

the signals on the terminals are introduced to the filter.

59. In a combination as set forth in claim 57 wherein

the frequency of the signals on the terminals have a frequency range within approximately 100 hertz and wherein

the frequencies of the signals within the range of approximately 100 hertz are dependent upon the positioning of the terminals on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein

the low pass filter passes the signals in the frequency range to approximately 100 hertz.

60. In a combination as set forth in claim 58 wherein the filter receiving the signals from the terminals passes the signals in a frequency range to approximately 1000 hertz.

61. In a combination as set forth in claim 59 wherein

an additional gain stage is provided and the additional gain stage includes a capacitor and includes members for limiting the amplitudes of the signals passing through the stage to provide for a rapid discharge of the capacitor to maintain the characteristics of the signals in the additional gain stage and wherein

terminals are provided for coupling to the patient'"'"'s body to provide signals having frequency ranges dependent upon the positioning of the terminals on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein

the signals on the terminals are introduced to the filter.

63. In a combination as set forth in claim 61 wherein

the gain stage includes an impedance having a variable value for providing the gain in the signals within the particular maximum and minimum levels.

64. In a combination as set forth in claim 61 wherein

the gain stage includes a chopper having properties for maintaining a stable D C reference in the gain stage.

65. In a combination as set forth in claim 61 wherein

the high pass filter includes an impedance having a variable value to adjust the frequencies of the signals from the high pass filter in accordance with the physiological conditions to be determined.

66. In a combination as set forth in claim 61,

an additional high pass filter disposed between the differential amplifiers and the gain stage and having a variable value to provide an adjustment in the frequency range of the signals passing through the filters, this adjustment being provided in accordance with the variations in the value of the impedance.

50. In combination in an amplifier for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

means for providing input signals representing the individual ones of the physiological conditions,

a differential filter-amplifier for amplifying the input signals in a first range of frequencies and for rejecting noise,

a filter for providing signals in a range of frequencies reduced relative to the range of frequencies of the signals from the differential filter-amplifier, and

a stage providing an adjustable gain in the signals from the differential filter-amplifier to provide the gain within particular upper and lower limits.

55. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

a filter having differential properties for receiving input signals representative of individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient and for passing the signals in a first range of frequencies while reducing noise,

a differential amplifier for providing a further elimination of noise and a gain in amplification in the signals from the filter,

a gain stage for providing gain in the signals from the differential amplifier between particular maximum and minimum levels and for providing a stable D C reference, and

a low pass filter for passing the signals only in a reduced range of frequencies relative to the signals from the gain stage and for preserving the relative phases of the signals in the reduced frequency range.

62. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

a low pass filter having differential properties for receiving input signals representative of individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient and for passing the signals in a first range of frequencies while reducing noise,

a low pass filter providing a limit on amplitude for passing quickly the signals from the low pass filter,

a gain stage responsive to the signals from the low pass filter for providing a gain in the signals within particular maximum and minimum limits, and

a low pass filter for passing the signals from the gain stage only in a reduced range of frequencies relative to the signals from the gain stage and for preserving the relative phases of the signals in the reduced frequency range.

67. In a combination as set forth in claim 62 wherein,

the gain stage includes a chopper having properties for maintaining a stable D C reference on the gain stage and wherein.

the gain stage includes an impedance having a variable value to provide an adjustment in the gain to maintain the gain between the particular maximum and minimum limits and wherein

an additional high pass filter is disposed between the differential amplifiers and the gain stage and has a variable value to provide an adjustment in the frequency range of the signals passing through the filter, this adjustment being provided in accordance with the variations in the value of the impedance.

69. In a combination as set forth in claim 67 wherein

the low pass filter passes signals in a range of frequencies to approximately 1000 hertz and wherein,

the second low pass filter passes signals in a range of frequencies to approximately only 100 hertz.

70. In a combination as set forth in claim 67 wherein

a terminal is connected to the low pass filter and is constructed to be connected to the patient to provide signals to the low pass filter in a range of frequencies dependent on the position where the terminal is connected on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein

the gain stage provides for a binary control in the gain provided in the gain stage to maintain the gain between the particular maximum and minimum limits and wherein

a capacitor is included in the gain stage and wherein the maintenance of the gain within the particular maximum and minimum limits provides for a fast discharge of the capacitor and wherein

a terminal is provided for coupling to the patient'"'"'s body to provide signals having a frequency range dependent upon the positioning of the terminal on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein

the signals on the terminal are introduced to the filter and wherein

the frequency of the signals on the terminal has a frequency range within approximately one hundred hertz (100) and the frequencies of the signals within the range of approximately 100 hertz are dependent upon the positioning of the terminal on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein

the low pass filter passes the signals only in the frequency range to approximately 100 hertz.

71. In a combination as set forth in claim 67 wherein

the stages have a first impedance adjustable in value to control the range of frequencies in the signals passed in the stages and wherein

the stages have a second impedance adjustable in value to maintain the gain in the stages between particular maximum and minimum limits.

76. A method as set forth in claim 71 where

a plurality of amplifiers are provided and wherein

the data is obtained simultaneously by the amplifiers in the plurality and wherein

the data obtained by the amplifiers is sent sequentially by the amplifiers to the host.

78. A method as set forth in claim 76 wherein

the amplifier is one of a plurality of amplifiers and wherein

programs are downloaded to the amplifiers from the host and

wherein the amplifiers provide data simultaneously for the physiological conditions from the patient in accordance with the downloading from the host and wherein

the amplifiers provide their data sequentially.

81. A method as set forth in claim 78 wherein

the amplifiers are calibrated sequentially in accordance with instructions from the host.

83. A method as set forth in claim 81 wherein

the attenuation of the signals to the first range of frequencies is provided on a differential basis.

84. A method as set forth in claim 81 wherein

the gain of each of the amplifiers is limited within particular minimum and maximum values in accordance with the instructions from the host.

85. A method as set forth in claim 81 wherein

the lower cut-off limit of the signal frequencies of the amplifiers is adjusted in accordance with the physiological conditions to be determined by the amplifiers.

68. In combination for determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient,

a low pass filter having differential properties for receiving input signals representative of individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient in a first range of frequencies while reducing noise,

stages for controlling the amplitude and gain of the signals from the low pass filter and for providing a stable DC reference for a processing of the signals, and

a low pass filter for passing the signals only in a reduced range of frequencies relative to the range of frequencies of the signals passed by the high pass filter and for preserving the relative phases of the signals in the reduced frequency.

72. In a combination as set forth in claim 68 wherein

a terminal is connected to the low pass filter and is constructed to be connected to the patient to provide signals to the low pass filter in a range of frequencies dependent on the position where the terminal is connected on the patient'"'"'s body, and wherein

the gain stage provides for a binary control in the gain provided in the gain stage to maintain the gain between particular maximum and minimum limits and wherein a capacitor is included in the gain stage and wherein the maintenance of the gain within the particular maximum and minimum limits provides for a fast discharge of the capacitor and wherein

a terminal is provided for coupling to the patient'"'"'s body to provide signals having frequency ranges dependent upon the positioning of the terminal on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein the signals on the terminal are introduced to the filter and wherein

the frequency of the signals on the terminal has a frequency range within approximately one hundred hertz (100) and the frequencies of the signals within the range of approximately 100 hertz are dependent upon the positioning of the terminal on the patient'"'"'s body and wherein

the low pass filter passes the signals only in the frequency range to approximately 100 hertz and wherein

another high pass filter provided a limit on amplitude for passing the signals from the high pass filter quickly and wherein

stages are provided for controlling the amplitude and gain of the signals from the high pass filter and for providing a stable DC reference for facilitating the processing of the signals and wherein

the stages have a first impedance adjustable in value to control the range of frequencies in the signals passed in the stages and wherein

the stages have a second impedance adjustable in value to maintain the gain in the stages between particular maximum and minimum limits.

74. A method as set forth in claim 72 wherein

the frequency range is adjusted by adjusting the value of an impedance in the amplifier.

75. A method as set forth in claim 72 wherein

the gain of the amplifier is adjusted on a binary basis to be within particular upper and lower limits by adjusting the value of an impedance in the amplifier and wherein

the gain is adjustable on a binary basis to provide a number of different gains dependent upon the number of binary bits.

73. A method of determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, including the steps of:

downloading a program for a PSSR solid state recorder (PSSR) from a host,

adjusting the characteristics of the amplifier in accordance with the program from the host,

providing a calibration of the amplifier and adjusting the amplifier to meet calibration standards,

adjusting impedances in the amplifier in accordance with the program downloaded to the amplifier,

adjusting the frequency range of the amplifier in accordance with the program downloaded to the amplifier from the host,

testing and adjusting the gain of the amplifier to provide the gain within particular upper and lower limits when the calibration test has been completed, and

sending data from the amplifier to the host when the previous steps have been successfully completed.

77. A method of determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, including the steps of:

downloading a program for a PSSR from a host,

testing and adjusting the gain of the amplifier to provide the gain within particular upper and lower limits,

adjusting the frequency range of the amplifier in accordance with the program downloaded to the amplifier, and

determining the physiological signals of the patient in accordance with the program provided to the amplifier from the host.

79. A method as set forth in claim 77 wherein

the amplifiers are tested sequentially for proper operation of the amplifiers in accordance with instructions from the host.

80. A method as set forth in claim 77 wherein

the amplifiers are calibrated sequentially in accordance with instructions from the host.

82. A method of determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions for a patient including the steps of

downloading programs for a plurality of amplifiers from a host,

attenuating the signals in the amplifiers to a first range of frequencies,

producing particular gains in the amplifiers, and

attenuating the signals in the first range of frequencies to signals in a second range of frequencies lower than the first range of frequencies while maintaining the phases of the signals in the second range of frequencies.

86. A method as set forth in claim 82 wherein

the gain of each of the amplifiers is limited within particular minimum and maximum values in accordance with the instructions from the host and wherein

the lower cut-off limit of the signal frequencies of the amplifiers is adjusted in accordance with the physiological conditions to be determined by the amplifiers.

88. A method as set forth in claim 86, including the steps of:

the measurement of the physiological conditions of the patient in the amplifiers being provided on a simultaneous basis, and

providing a sequential basis from the amplifiers the indications of the measurements of the physiological conditions in the amplifier.

89. A method as set forth in claim 86 wherein

the step of adjusting the characteristics of the amplifiers is performed on a sequential basis for the different amplifiers in the plurality.

90. A method as set forth in claim 86 wherein

the amplifiers are calibrated on a sequential basis.

91. A method as set forth in claim 86 wherein

terminals are applied to the body of the patent at strategic positions on the body of the patient to measure the physiological signals of the patient.

93. A method as set forth in claim 90 wherein

the amplifiers in the plurality are calibrated on a sequential basis before the physiological conditions of the patient are determined by the amplifiers.

94. A method as set forth in claim 91 wherein

tests are sequentially performed on the amplifiers to provide for the proper operation of the amplifiers before the measurements are made of the physiological conditions of the patient.

95. A method as set forth in claim 91 wherein

tests are sequentially performed on the amplifiers to provide for the proper operation of the amplifiers before the measurements are made of the physiological conditions of the patient.

87. A method of determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, including the steps of:

downloading instructions to a plurality of amplifiers from a host relating to the individual ones of the physiological conditions of the patient to be determined by each of the amplifiers,

adjusting the characteristics of each of the amplifiers to provide measurements of the physiological conditions of the amplifiers in accordance with the instructions from the host, and

providing the measurements in the amplifiers of the physiological conditions to be measured by the amplifiers in accordance with the instructions from the host.

92. A method of determining individual ones of a plurality of physiological parameters, including the steps of:

introducing instructions from a host to each of a plurality of amplifiers to have the amplifier determine individual ones of the physical parameters of the patient,

simultaneously determining the individual ones of the physiological parameters in each of the amplifiers in accordance with the instructions from the host, and

sequentially providing outputs indicating the individual ones of the physiological parameters of the amplifiers in the plurality.