Device and Method for Measuring Three-Lead ECG in a Wristwatch

• US 20100076331A1
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chang GUNG University
• Original Assignee: Chang GUNG University
• Inventors: Jheng, Jia-Chen, Chao, Pei-Kuang, Chan, Hsiao-Lung
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/522
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices

Abstract

A wristwatch worn by a user for measuring three-lead ECG is disclosed. The wristwatch includes three electrodes placed separately on the front, either side, and back or strap thereof. The wristwatch further includes an electrode panel having the electrode on the front or either side of the watch, sensing elements, pressure, infrared or impedance detectors, and circuits. The electrode panel is capable of sensing the contact or press of fingers to trigger ECG measuring. While the electrode in the back-side of the watch contacts the hand wearing the watch, the electrode and electrode panel on the front or either side of the watch are pressed by fingers from the other hand and the electrode in the strap contacts abdomen or left leg simultaneously, three-lead ECG can be measured. ECG data can be transmitted to a personal or hospital computer by wireless networks or flash memory.

Claims

1. A wristwatch for measuring three-lead ECG, comprising:

a case;

a strap attached to both ends of the case;

a circuit board disposed in the case with a flexible extended portion enclosed by the strap;

at least three electrodes which are positioned on the surface of the case and the strap separately for detecting voltage differences generated by cardiac systems;

a display disposed on the case;

a control panel comprising one of the electrodes and a plurality of sensing elements; and

at least one control button for inputting information, changing function, and modifying user'"'"'s mode of the wristwatch.

2. The wristwatch of claim 1, wherein the electrode and the sensing elements of the control panel are adapted to touch separately.

3. The wristwatch of claim 1, wherein the control panel further includes an integrated unit for covering both the electrode and the sensing elements to allow the electrode and the sensing elements to be activated simultaneously by one touch;

moreover, the integrated unit is an interface for activating both the electrode and the sensing elements by one touch.

4. The wristwatch of claim 1, further comprising an alerting device disposed in the case for alerting a user to practice ECG measurement.

5. The wristwatch of claim 4, wherein the alerting device is adapted to emit light, make sound, or vibrate.

6. The wristwatch of claim 4, wherein the alerting device is an LED or OLED for emitting light.

7. The wristwatch of claim 4, wherein the alerting device is an OLED or LCD for flashing light.

8. The wristwatch of claim 4, wherein the alerting device is a buzzer or speaker.

9. The wristwatch of claim 4, wherein the alerting device is a miniature vibrating motor for vibrating.

10. The wristwatch of claim 1, further comprising a transmission device for data transmission after ECG measurement;

the transmission device comprising at least one of a flash memory and a wireless network for transmitting data to a remote personal or hospital computer.

11. The wristwatch of claim 1, further comprising a wireless module for receiving wireless control signals from a remote computer for modifying settings of the wristwatch.

12. The wristwatch of claim 1, wherein the sensing elements are adapted to activate by infrared, pressure, or impedance.

13. The wristwatch of claim 4, further comprising a thermometer for measuring temperature changes as a reference value to activate the alerting device.

14. The wristwatch of claim 4, further comprising an accelerometer for measuring a user'"'"'s activity levels as a reference value to activate the alerting device.

15. A method of using a wristwatch worn by a user to measure three-lead ECG comprising the steps of:

causing three electrodes to separately contact the skin in the right upper limb, the left upper limb, and left lower limb of the user to obtain a set of ECG data; and

processing the obtained set of ECG data based on a wearing hand mode which includes a left-hand mode and a right-hand mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of obtaining the set of ECG data is carried out by measuring three-lead ECG in the left upper limb of the user with the set of ECG data being processed in the left-hand mode wherein:

ECG lead I is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the back and the front or either side of the wristwatch;

ECG lead II is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the strap and the front or either side of the wristwatch; and

ECG lead III is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the back and the strap of the wristwatch.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of obtaining the set of ECG data is carried out by measuring three-lead ECG in the right upper limb of the user with the set of ECG data being processed in right-hand mode wherein:

ECG lead I is taken as a negative potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the back and the front or either side of the wristwatch;

ECG lead II is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the strap and the back of the wristwatch; and

ECG lead III is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the front or either side and strap of the wristwatch.

18. A method of using a wristwatch worn by a user to measure three-lead ECG comprising the steps of:

causing three electrodes to separately contact the skin in the right upper limb, the left upper limb, and the trunk of the user to obtain a set of ECG data; and

processing the obtained set of ECG data based on a wearing hand mode which includes a left-hand mode and a right-hand mode.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of obtaining the set of ECG data is carried out by measuring three-lead ECG in the left upper limb of the user with the set of ECG data being processed in the left-hand mode wherein:

ECG lead I is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the back and the front or either side of the wristwatch;

ECG lead II is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the strap and the front or either side of the wristwatch; and

ECG lead III is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the back and the strap of the wristwatch.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of obtaining the set of ECG data is carried out by measuring three-lead ECG in the right upper limb of the user with the set of ECG data being processed in right-hand mode wherein:

ECG lead I is taken as a negative potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the back and the front or either side of the wristwatch;

ECG lead II is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the strap and the back of the wristwatch; and

ECG lead III is taken as a potential difference between the electrodes disposed on the front or either side and strap of the wristwatch.