Wireless Electrode for Biopotential Measurement

• US 20070270678A1
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neuronetrix Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Neuronetrix Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Fadem, Kalford, Schnitz, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US11/570,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270678A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/20 Workers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/01 Emergency care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/166 the sensor is mounted on a specially adapted printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/242 Packaging, i.e. for packaging the sensor or apparatus before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/30 Input circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/307 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/33 specially adapted for cooperation with other devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

A wireless biopotential monitoring system composed of a wireless electrode module which can be attached to a disposable electrode strip. Such device can be conveniently affixed to a patient'"'"'s skin and will transmit the physiological signals to a remote receiver where the signals can be monitored by a clinician.

Claims

1. A biopotential measurement device, comprising:

a voltage potential detection means;

a signal amplification and digital conversion means;

a wireless data transmission means; and

a disposable electrode strip.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an automatic configuration means to preconfigure the device with the appropriate settings relating to biopotential measurement type, signal gain, filter configuration, sampling rate, or transmission rate.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery integrated into the electronics module.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a battery recharging stand.

5. The screening device of claim 4, further comprising a battery charge display means integrated into the recharging stand.

6. The screening device of claim 4, further comprising a wireless receiver means used to receive data from the wireless data transmission means.

7. The screening device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless receiver means used to receive data from the wireless data transmission means.

8. The screening device of claim 1, further comprising a memory chip identification means affixed to the disposable electrode strip used to preconfigure the measurement settings.

9. The screening device of claim 1, further comprising a battery integrated into the disposable electrode strip.

10. The screening device of claim 8, further comprising a battery that is only activated upon contact with air.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a means to energize the device upon connection to the electrode strip.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a conductive clip to be used as a reference electrode.

13. The device of claim 6 and claim 7, further comprising a signal modification means to convert the received signal such that it can be used by an existing EEG, ECG, or EMG monitor.

14. The device of claim 6 and claim 7, further comprising a monitor to display the measured biopotential signals.

15. A method of transmitting biopotential signals from a patient, comprising the steps:

sampling voltage differentials between a reference electrode and a signal electrode;

amplifying the voltage differentials;

converting the voltage differentials to a digital format;

storing a plurality of digital samples in a memory device; and

transmitting the stored samples via a wireless transmitter while continuing to sample.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

accessing a subject identifier associated with the patient; and

transmitting the subject identifier with the stored samples.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting the stored samples further comprises:

disabling transmission;

receiving a remotely sent coded signal; and

transmitting the plurality of digital samples in response to verifying authenticity of the remotely sent coded signal.

18. A biopotential measurement device affixable to skin of a patient, comprising:

an adhesive substrate;

a disposable electrode strip disposed on the adhesive substrate to position a pair of electrode contacts;

voltage potential detection circuitry responsive to a biopotential signal across the pair of electrode contacts;

processing circuitry operatively configured to signal amplify and digital convert the sensed biopotential signal; and

wireless data transmission circuitry operatively configured to transmit the amplified, digitized biopotential signal.

19. The biopotential measurement device of claim 18, wherein the processing circuitry further comprises a stored identifier associated with the patient, the wireless data transmission circuitry further operatively configured to transmit the stored identifier with the amplified, digitized biopotential signal.

20. The biopotential measurement device of claim 18, wherein the wireless data transmission circuitry is further operatively configured to receive a remotely sent enablement signal, the processing circuitry further operatively configured to verify authenticity of the remotely sent enablement signal and in response thereto to enable transmission of the amplified, digitized biopotential signal.