Disposable chest assembly

• US 20050251003A1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LifeSync Corporation
• Original Assignee: GMP Wireless Medicine Incorporated
• Inventors: Solovay, Kenneth, Gundlach, John David, Williams, Daniel L., Istvan, Rud, Lodato, Franco, Hopman, Nicholas C., Gregory, Bill, Chastain, David Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/105,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20050251003A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/393
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/17 Comprising radiolucent components
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• 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 5/6841 by using templates
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period

Abstract

An assembly for monitoring a vital sign comprising a flat circuit having connectors for attachment to patient mounted electrodes and a connector for attachment to a vital signs monitor in which the electrical conductors are made from a conductor that wears with use such that the conductor becomes unusable with repeated use.

Claims

1. A method of reducing the spread of infection or disease comprising the steps of:

providing a disposable assembly for detecting physiological signals from a patient, said assembly including;

a disposable electrode retaining section containing at least one disposable electrode connectors having wearable electrical contact points for connecting to at least one disposable electrode;

a disposable assembly connector attached to the electrode retaining section; and

at least one disposable electrically conductive element connecting the electrode connector to the assembly connector;

connecting said assembly connector to a monitoring device for monitoring physiological signals of the patient;

attaching said assembly to a single patient for a period of time; and

,

removing and disposing of said assembly after use upon the single patient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical contact points are made from a material which abrades and loses conductivity with repeated connection and disconnection of the connector.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the abradable material is an electrically conductive ink.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the abradable material is silver epoxy ink.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode connector comprises an aperture with at least one flap which loses resiliency with repeated use.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode connectors are color coded.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the assembly is configured to lie on the periphery of the torso.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the assembly is configured for six lead ECG

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the assembly connects to precordial electrodes.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the assembly contains a fabric layer on at least one side of the assembly.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the assembly contains an adapter for connection to existing ECG leadwire sets.

12. A disposable assembly for detecting physiological signals from a patient, said assembly including:

a disposable electrode retaining section containing at least one disposable electrode connectors having wearable electrical contact points for connecting to at least one disposable electrode;

a disposable assembly connector attached to the electrode retaining section; and

at least one disposable electrically conductive element connecting the electrode connector to the assembly connector.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the electrical contact points are made from a material which abrades and loses conductivity with repeated connection and disconnection of the connector.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the abradable material is an electrically conductive ink.

15. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the abradable material is silver epoxy ink.

16. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the electrode connector comprises an aperture with at least one flap which loses resiliency with repeated use.

17. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the electrode connectors are color coded.

18. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the assembly is configured to lie on the periphery of the torso.

19. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the assembly is configured for six lead ECG

20. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the assembly connects to precordial electrodes.

21. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the assembly contains a comfort layer on surfaces adjacent to the patient.

22. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the assembly contains an adapter for connection to existing ECG leadwire sets.