HEART RATE AND PULSE MONITORING DEVICE

• US 20140235980A1
• Filed: 10/01/2012
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jonathan M. Whitfield
• Original Assignee: Jonathan M. Whitfield
• Inventors: Whitfield, Jonathan M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,883,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/045 Newborns, e.g. premature baby monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/02 Stethoscopes acoustic details thereof G10K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems for obtaining heart rate by obtaining apical and non-apical heart rate datum using first and second heart rate monitoring devices. The apical and non-apical heart rate data are input into a heart rate verification module (HRVM) that includes a number of programming instructions for effecting the invention. An apical heart rate measure and non-apical heart rate measure are calculated in the HRVM, and an acceptable heart rate range is generated using the apical heart rate measure. Whether the non-apical heart rate measure is a reliable measure of a true heart rate is identified by determining whether the non-apical heart rate measure falls within or outside the acceptable heart rate range. A split display screen of the HRVM displays the apical heart rate measure, non-apical heart rate measure, and information identifying whether the non-apical heart rate measure falls within or outside the acceptable heart rate range.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining heart rate comprising:

obtaining apical heart rate data using a first heart rate monitoring device;

obtaining non-apical heart rate data using a second heart rate monitoring device;

inputting the apical heart rate data and the non-apical heart rate data into a heart rate verification module (HRVM);

calculating an apical heart rate measure and a non-apical heart rate measure in the HRVM;

generating an acceptable heart rate range using the apical heart rate measure in the HRVM; and

identifying whether the non-apical heart rate measure is a reliable measure of a true heart rate by determining whether the non-apical heart rate measure falls within or outside the acceptable heart rate range.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the apical heart rate is obtained using the first heart rate monitoring device and combination with an actuator component that outputs a signal corresponding to the apical heart rate data to the heart rate verification module.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the actuator component is attached to the first heart rate monitoring device.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the actuator component is separate and distinct from the first heart rate monitoring device.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the signal comprises a wireless signal.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first heart rate monitoring device comprises a stethoscope.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the second heart rate monitoring device comprises a pulse oximeter.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the HRVM resides within the second heart rate monitoring device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the HRVM resides within a component separate from the first and second heart rate monitoring devices.

10. The device of claim 1 further including outputting the calculated apical and non-apical heart rate measures to an end-user within about 3-10 seconds from obtaining the apical heart rate data.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein if the non-apical heart rate measure falls within the acceptable heart rate range, then the non-apical heart rate measure is recognized as the reliable measure of the true heart rate.

12. The device of claim 11 further including ceasing obtaining the apical heart rate data when the non-apical heart rate measure falls within the acceptable heart rate range.

13. The device of claim 12 further including validating that the non-apical heart rate remains to fall within the acceptable heart rate range such that it continues to be the reliable measure of the true heart rate.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein if the non-apical heart rate measure is outside the acceptable heart rate range, then the non-apical heart rate measure is unreliable, and both the apical and non-apical heart rate measures are continued to be monitored and output.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the apical heart rate data is manually obtained while the non-apical heart rate data is electronically obtained.

16. The device of claim 1 further including the HRVM having a unique identifier to alert end-users of critical events that require action by the end-users.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein both the apical heart rate data and the non-apical heart rate data are continually refreshed to provide current apical and non-apical heart rate measures for output from the HRVM.

18. The device of claim 1 further including outputting the calculated apical and non-apical heart rate measures to one or more medical personnel, the one or more medical personnel making a determination based on the output apical and non-apical heart rate measures as to any required medical attention.

19. A device for obtaining heart rate comprising:

a heart rate verification module (HRVM) that receives apical heart rate data from a first heart rate monitoring device and non-apical heart rate data from a second heart rate monitoring device;

a first set of instructions within the HRVM that calculate apical and non-apical heart rate measures;

a second set of instructions within the HRVM that generate an acceptable heart rate range using the apical heart rate measure; and

a third set of instructions within the HRVM that determines whether the non-apical heart rate measure falls within or outside the acceptable heart rate range; and

a display screen of the HRVM for displaying the apical heart rate measure, non-apical heart rate measure, and information identifying whether the non-apical heart rate measure falls within or outside the acceptable heart rate range.

20. A system for obtaining heart rate comprising:

first and second heart rate monitoring devices for respectively obtaining apical heart rate data and non-apical heart rate data;

a heart rate verification module (HRVM) that receives the apical heart rate data and non-apical heart rate data;

a first set of instructions within the HRVM that calculate apical and non-apical heart rate measures;

a second set of instructions within the HRVM that generate an acceptable heart rate range using the apical heart rate measure; and

a third set of instructions within the HRVM that determines whether the non-apical heart rate measure falls within or outside the acceptable heart rate range; and

a display screen of the HRVM for displaying the apical heart rate measure, non-apical heart rate measure, and information identifying whether the non-apical heart rate measure falls within or outside the acceptable heart rate range.