CARDIAC RHYTHM COMPUTER DEVICE

• US 3,698,386 A
• Filed: 07/16/1971
• Issued: 10/17/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Fried
• Original Assignee: Robert Fried
• Inventors: Fried, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/163,507
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.05,2.6A,2.6B,2.5F,2.5R,2.1R
• US Class Current: 600/518
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7239 using differentiation including higher order derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/60 for living beings, e.g. their nervous systems ; for problems in the medical field

Abstract

A device which monitors electrocardiac activity for providing direct and discrete output readings which simply and positively identify specific cardiac activity patterns. Samples are taken over predetermined time intervals during which the total number of cycles of the entire electrocardiac signal occurring during the time interval undergoes slope analysis for the purpose of providing in-line indices of the various cardiac arrhythmias. Mathematical manipulation of the electrocardiac signals (also referred to as EKG signals) are performed by analog circuit means to yield a direct output reading which, by providing an appropriate scale or by providing a chart usable in conjunction with the output meter, positively and directly provides an indication of the various cardiac arrhythmias.

Claims

1. A device for detecting and providing appropriate indications for the presence of either normal sinus rhythm or cardiac arrhythmias of a patient'"'"''"'"'s heart, all of which possible conditions have a linear relationship, comprising:

first input means for receiving electrocardiac signals comprised of a plurality of substantially repetitive signal portions;

second differentiating means coupled to said input means for differentiating said electrocardiac signals;

third means coupled to said differentiating means for generating signals representative of absolute value of the output of said differentiating means;

fourth means for integrating the output of said third means;

meter means coupled to said integrating means for providing a visually observable reading of said electrocardiac signals;

said meter means including means for adjustably attenuating the signal applied to said meter means relative to a selected reference level; and

fifth means for periodically clearing said fourth means after a plurality of said signal portions have passed to said fourth means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said meter means is further comprised of a dial face and a cooperating pointer being deflected by an amount representative of the output signal level of said fourth means;

said dial face having a graduated scale with markings representative of various types of cardiac arrhythmias along said scale.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustable means comprises variable resistance means coupled between said meter means and said fourth means for adjustably limiting the current magnitude of the signal applied to said meter means.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electrodes connected to said input means and adapted to be removably applied to a patient for coupling electrocardiac signals to said input means.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said input means comprises adjustable amplifier means for amplifying said electrocardiac signals by a predetermined and adjustable amount of gain.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said fifth means is further comprised of adjustable timer means;

said fourth means being normally operative;

said timer means including means for clearing said fourth means at regular intervals, the time duration between each of said clearing intervals being constant and being substantially greater than the time duration of a clearing interval.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said timer means is further comprised of means for disconnecting said fourth means from said third means simultaneously with the occurrence of a clearing operation.