Electrode Placement for Remote Monitoring

• US 20100185114A1
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Lillegard, Gregory A., Brackett, Cameron
• Granted Patent: US 9,603,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]

Abstract

A method of placing ECG electrodes in an environment where persons of limited training are available includes making a trial placement of the electrodes. Then, testing the electrodes and evaluating signals from the electrodes as a result of the testing. Verbal or visual feedback can be provided to the person placing the electrodes so that placed electrodes could be adjusted as needed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

placing electrodes at various locations on an individual;

evaluating the placement of the electrodes;

providing at least verbal feedback relative to locations of the placed electrodes.

2. A method as in claim 1 which includes testing the electrodes prior to evaluating.

3. A method as in claim 2 which includes transmitting signals from the electrodes to a remote location.

4. A method as in claim 3 where evaluating includes comparing received signals to a predetermined standard.

5. A method as in claim 4 which includes providing the verbal feedback, responsive to the comparing.

6. A method as in claim 5 which includes providing visual feedback relative to locations of the placed electrodes.

7. A method as in claim 6 which includes providing instructions as to electrode placement.

8. A method of placing ECG electrodes in an environment where persons of limited training are available comprising:

making a trial placement of the electrodes;

testing the performance of the electrodes;

evaluating signals from the electrodes as a result of the testing; and

providing at least verbal feedback from a remote location to the person placing the electrodes so that placed electrodes can be adjusted as needed.

9. A method as in claim 8 where providing includes automatically providing the verbal feedback.

10. A method of electrode placement comprising:

placing the electrodes at a plurality of locations on a person;

automatically testing performance of the electrodes and obtaining position indicating signals therefrom; and

evaluating the signals from the electrodes, and responsive thereto, providing verbal feedback as to placement.

11. A method as in claim 10 which includes providing verbal instructions as to how to move at least one of the electrodes to improve the position indicating signals.

12. A method as in claim 10 which includes retesting the performance of the electrodes subsequent to at least one of the electrodes having been moved.

13. A method as in claim 12 which includes providing test results at a displaced location.

14. A method as in claim 10 which includes automatically providing verbal instructions as to how to move at least one of the electrodes to improve the position indicating signals.

15. A method as in claim 14 which includes retesting the performance of the electrodes subsequent to at least one of the electrodes having been moved.

16. An apparatus comprising:

control circuits couplable to a plurality of person monitoring electrodes;

an audio output device coupled to the control circuits where the control circuits evaluate at least one signal received from the electrodes, and responsive thereto, automatically generate a verbal message indicative of electrode placement.

17. An apparatus as in claim 16 where the control circuits include executable software pre-recorded on a computer readable medium, which at least in part, carries out an evaluation of at least one signal received from the electrodes.

18. An apparatus as in claim 17 which includes circuitry to generate the verbal message.

19. An apparatus as in claim 18 where the control circuits can evaluate at least one other signal received from the electrodes, and responsive thereto, automatically generate another verbal message indicative of electrode placement.

20. An apparatus as in claim 19 where indicia of signals received from at least one electrode can be transmitted to a displaced facility.