Physiological measuring system comprising a garment in the form of a sleeve or glove and sensing apparatus incorporated in the garment

• US 20040267145A1
• Filed: 07/26/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Daniel, Irving Levy, Serge Liber
• Original Assignee: David Daniel, Irving Levy, Serge Liber
• Inventors: David, Daniel, Levy, Irving, Liber, Serge
• Application Number:
  US10/899,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20040267145A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• 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 5/02241 of small dimensions, e.g. adapted to fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1101 Detecting tremor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/252 by suction
• 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 5/341 Vectorcardiography [VCG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 Evaluating nerves condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/442 : Evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 : Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 : Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 : Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 : Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 : Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 : for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 : Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R

Abstract

A measuring system for measuring electrocardiogram signals comprises a diagnostic garment with ECG electrodes that may assume the form of a sleeve or glove. A disposable version of the glove can be inflated. By using an inflatable glove, the contour of the body is automatically matched by the contour of the glove. Samples from the ECG electrodes positioned on a diagnostic garment are compensated so that the samples better approximate samples from EEG electrodes that are positioned at classical locations. Also, samples from ECG electrodes are compensated to reduce signal noise resulting from positioning the ECG electrodes on the diagnostic garment.

Claims

1. A disposable diagnostic garment for obtaining human electrocardiogram (ECG) input readings comprising, in combination:

a garment covering that is inflatable to automatically match a contour of a body portion of a patient, the garment covering having an inside palm side; and

at least one electrode that is affixed the inside palm side of the garment covering, wherein the at least one electrode is arranged on the garment covering to position the at least one electrode against the body portion of the patient and to provide a corresponding ECG signal when the garment covering is inflated and when the left arm is supported with the elbow against the body and the left forearm directed toward the right shoulder.

2. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, wherein the garment covering comprises a hand portion for a left hand of the patient, and wherein the at least one electrode comprises RA, RL, V1, and V2 electrodes.

3. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, wherein the garment covering further comprises an arm portion for a left arm of the patient, and wherein the at least one electrode comprises RA, RL, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, LL and LA electrodes.

4. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode is affixed to the garment covering by depositing a conductive material on the garment covering.

5. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, wherein the garment covering comprises a plastic material.

6. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, further comprising:

an inflation means for inflating the disposable diagnostic garment.

7. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, further comprising:

a one-way valve for inflating the disposable diagnostic garment.

8. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, wherein the garment covering utilizes a single seam to support a two dimensional aspect.

9. The disposable diagnostic garment of claim 1, wherein the garment covering utilizes a plurality of seams to support a three dimensional aspect.

10. A method for compensating human electrocardiogram (ECG) inputs from electrodes located on a diagnostic garment when an LL electrode is positioned on the diagnostic garment, being fitted to a portion of a patient, the method comprising:

(A) determining a first mean QRS vector from a first plurality of QRS mean vectors, each corresponding mean QRS vector obtained with standard ECG leads;

(B) determining a second mean QRS vector from a second plurality of QRS mean vectors, each constituent mean QRS vector obtained with the diagnostic garment; and

(C) in response to (A) and (B), determining at least one compensation component.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

(D) applying the at least one compensation component to a subsequent sample from at least two leads.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein (A) comprises selecting one of the first plurality of mean QRS vectors, each mean QRS vector corresponding to a QRS complex.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein (B) comprises selecting one of the second plurality of mean QRS vectors, each mean QRS vector corresponding to a QRS complex.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said one of the first plurality of QRS mean vectors is characterized as being a closest mean QRS vector to an average of the first plurality of QRS mean vectors.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said one of the second plurality of QRS mean vectors is characterized as being a closest mean QRS vector to an average of the second plurality of QRS mean vectors.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein (C) comprises:

(i) determining a difference angle between the first mean QRS vector and the second mean QRS vector; and

(ii) calculating a compensation coefficient (k1) from the difference angle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the compensation coefficient is determined by:

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

(D) if the patient is diagnosed with a bundle branch block, circumventing compensation of the ECG inputs.

19. The method for reducing signal noise on an electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform, the ECG waveform obtained from a plurality of electrodes positioned on a diagnostic garment, the method comprising:

(A) determining a modified first lead value for each sample associated with one of a plurality of QRS complexes;

(B) obtaining a first lead value for each sample associated with said one of the plurality of QRS complexes;

(C) determining a peak modified first lead value and peak first lead value for said one of the plurality of QRS complexes;

(D) repeating (A)-(C) for each QRS complex of the plurality of QRS complexes; and

(E) determining a compensation coefficient (k2) from an average peak modified first lead value and an average peak first lead value.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

(F) applying the compensation coefficient to a subsequent sample from at least two leads.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

(G) determining another lead from the subsequent sample.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein (F) comprises:

(i) determining a lead potential (VL) from the at least two leads; and

(ii) compensating the at least two leads in accordance with the compensation coefficient and the lead potential.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein (i) comprises:

(1) determining the lead potential (VL) by;

VL=(Lead I+2*Lead III)/3.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein (ii) comprises:

(1) determining a first lead voltage by;

Lead I_NEW=k2*(V6−

V1); and

(2) determining a second lead voltage by;

Lead III_NEW=−

k2*(V6−

V1)/2+1.5VL.

25. A method for compensating human electrocardiogram (ECG) inputs from electrodes located on a diagnostic garment when an LL electrode is positioned on the diagnostic garment, the method comprising:

(A) selecting a first mean QRS vector from a first plurality of QRS mean vectors, each corresponding mean QRS vector obtained with standard ECG leads;

(B) selecting a second mean QRS vector from a second plurality of QRS mean vectors, each constituent mean QRS vector obtained with the diagnostic garment;

(C) in response to (A) and (B), determining a first compensation coefficient;

(D) determining a modified first lead value for each sample associated with one of a plurality of QRS complexes;

(E) obtaining a first lead value for each sample associated with said one of the plurality of QRS complexes;

(F) determining a peak modified first lead value and peak first lead value for said one of the plurality of QRS complexes;

(G) repeating (D)-(F) for each QRS complex of the plurality of QRS complexes; and

(H) determining a second compensation coefficient (k2) from an average peak modified first lead value and an average peak first lead value.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

(I) applying the first compensation coefficient and the second compensation coefficient to a subsequent sample from at least two leads.

27. An apparatus that processes ECG measurements from a diagnostic garment, the apparatus comprising in combination:

an interface module that obtains the ECG measurements from a plurality of ECG electrodes positioned on the diagnostic garment; and

a processor that is coupled to the interface module and that processes the ECG measurements to compensate for the plurality of ECG electrodes being positioned on the diagnostic garment, the processor configured to perform;

(A) selecting a first mean QRS vector from a first plurality of QRS mean vectors, each corresponding mean QRS vector obtained with standard ECG leads;

(B) selecting a second mean QRS vector from a second plurality of QRS mean vectors, each constituent mean QRS vector obtained with the diagnostic garment; and

(C) in response to (A) and (B), determining at least one compensation component.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to perform:

(D) applying the at least one compensation component to a subsequent sample from at least two leads.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to perform:

(D) selecting one of the first plurality of mean QRS vectors, each mean QRS vector corresponding to a QRS complex.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to perform:

(D) selecting one of the second plurality of mean QRS vectors, each mean QRS vector corresponding to a QRS complex.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the interface module comprises a measurement module that is coupled to the plurality of ECG electrodes positioned on the diagnostic garment.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the interface module comprises a communications module that receives the ECG measurements from a signal, the signal being received over a communications channel.

33. An apparatus that processes ECG measurements from a diagnostic garment, the apparatus comprising in combination:

an interface module that obtains the ECG measurements from a plurality of ECG electrodes positioned on the diagnostic garment; and

a processor that is coupled to the interface module and that processes the ECG measurements to compensate for the plurality of ECG electrodes being positioned on the diagnostic garment, the processor configured to perform;

(A) determining a modified first lead value for each sample associated with one of a plurality of QRS complexes;

(B) obtaining a first lead value for each sample associated with said one of the plurality of QRS complexes;

(C) determining a peak modified first lead value and peak first lead value for said one of the plurality of QRS complexes;

(D) repeating (A)-(C) for each QRS complex of the plurality of QRS complexes; and

(E) determining a compensation coefficient (k2) from an average peak modified first lead value and an average peak first lead value.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor is configured to perform:

(F) applying the compensation coefficient to a subsequent sample from at least two leads.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the interface module comprises a measurement module that is coupled to the plurality of ECG electrodes positioned on the diagnostic garment.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the interface module comprises a communications module that receives the ECG measurements from a signal, the signal being received over a communications channel.