Cardiac Event Monitoring System

• US 20080097231A1
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medicomp Incorporated (Medicomp, Inc. /Balda/)
• Original Assignee: Medicomp Incorporated (Medicomp, Inc. /Balda/)
• Inventors: Marek, Monte, Balda, Anthony, Balda, Daniel, Thomas, Robert Michael, Mann, Tary
• Granted Patent: US 8,983,583 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/226 comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/30 Input circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/333 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger

Abstract

A cardiac event monitoring system includes a base unit including a base connector, a wearable electrode system, and a plug-in adapter. The wearable electrode system includes a cable, an electrode at one end of the cable, and a cable connector at the other end of the cable. The cable connector is configured to plug into the base connector. The plug-in adapter includes electrodes and an adapter connector that is configured to plug into the base connector.

Claims

1. A cardiac event monitoring system comprising:

a base unit including a base connector;

a wearable electrode system including a cable, an electrode at one end of the cable, and a cable connector at the other end of the cable, the cable connector being configured to plug into the base connector; and

a plug-in adapter that includes electrodes and an adapter connector that is configured to plug into the base connector.

2. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the plug-in adapter comprises two electrodes.

3. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the electrodes of the plug-in adapter are each sized to receive a finger.

4. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the electrode of the wearable electrode system is configured to be attached to a patient'"'"'s skin.

5. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the base unit comprises a controller that is configured to operate in an auto capture mode.

6. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the electrodes of the plug-in adapter and the wearable electrode system detect electrical signals from a patient'"'"'s heart when coupled to the patient'"'"'s skin.

7. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the base unit comprises a speaker for transmitting data recorded from the plug-in adapter or the wearable electrode system.

8. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the base unit comprises memory for storing data recorded from the plug-in adapter or the wearable electrode system.

9. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the base unit comprises a display.

10. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the base unit comprises one or more input devices.

11. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the base unit comprises a controller that is configured to operate in a manual mode.

12. A cardiac event monitoring system comprising:

a base unit including a base connector configured to receive a cable connector of a wearable electrode system; and

a plug-in adapter including electrodes and an adapter connector configured to plug into the base connector of the base unit.

13. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 12 wherein the base unit comprises a controller that is configured to operate in an auto capture mode.

14. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 12 wherein each of the electrodes is sized to receive a finger.

15. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 12 wherein the electrodes of the plug-in adapter detects electrical signals from a patient'"'"'s heart when coupled to the patient'"'"'s skin.

16. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 12 wherein the base unit comprises a speaker for transmitting data recorded from the plug-in adapter or the wearable electrode system.

17. The cardiac event monitoring system of claim 12 wherein the base unit comprises memory for storing data recorded from the plug-in adapter or the wearable electrode system.

18. A method of monitoring cardiac events, the method comprising:

determining whether a wearable electrode system is connected to a base unit of a monitoring system, and if the wearable electrode system is connected to the base unit, operating the base unit to receive electrical signals from an electrode of the wearable electrode system;

if the wearable electrode system is not connected to the base unit, determining whether a plug-in adapter is connected to the base unit; and

if the plug-in adapter is connected to the base unit, operating the base unit to receive electrical signals from electrodes of the plug-in adapter.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising transmitting the electrical signals to a monitoring center if it is determined that the patient requested that the electrical signals be transmitted.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein operating the base unit to receive electrical signals from the electrode of the wearable electrode system includes monitoring the patient'"'"'s electrical signals and recording the electrical signals if it is determined that the electrical signals are abnormal.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein operating the base unit to receive electrical signals from the electrode of the plug-in adapter includes receiving an electrical signal from the electrode of the plug-in adapter when the body of the patient makes contact with the electrodes.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising storing in memory electrical signals received from the plug-in adapter or the wearable electrode system for a predetermined time or until a patient transmits the electrical signals.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising displaying instructions to a patient on the base unit.

24. The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving instructions from a patient from one or more input devices on the base unit.

25. A method of monitoring cardiac events, the method comprising:

providing a plug-in adapter that includes electrodes and an adapter connector that is configured to plug into a base connector of a base unit, wherein the base connector is configured to receive a cable connector of a wearable electrode system that includes a cable, an electrode at one end of the cable, and the cable connector at the other end of the cable.

26. A plug-in adapter comprising:

a housing;

two finger electrodes on one side of the housing; and

an adapter connector on another side of the housing;

wherein the adapter connector is configured to plug into a connector of a base unit of a cardiac event monitor.