WAVEFORM ABNORMALITY MONITOR

• US 3,699,946 A
• Filed: 08/11/1970
• Issued: 10/24/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walter A. Michel
• Original Assignee: Walter A. Michel
• Inventors: Michel, Walter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/062,831
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.6A,2.6F,2.6R,2.5P,2.5R,2.5S,2.5T
• US Class Current: 600/515
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/364 Detecting abnormal ECG interval, e.g. extrasystoles, ectopic heartbeats

Abstract

A portable, programmable electronic device for monitoring the heartbeat waveform of an ambulatory individual by sensing the difference between potentials from a pair of sensors attached to the individual, and electronically processing the waveform to detect and warn of the presence in that waveform of abnormalities, such as extrasystoles, which indicate the imminence of a possible heart attack. The potential difference, represented as a waveform formed by a series of R-wave complexes and any intermediate waveforms, is passed into a time controlled gate which is open during only the monitoring period following an R-wave complex so that an intermediate extrasystole will actuate an indicator.

Claims

1. Heart beat waveform monitoring apparatus for detecting by transducers secured to a patient heart beat waveforms and for detecting heartbeat waveforms occuring intermediate a pair of normal R-wave complexes of an electrocardiagraphic heart beat waveform occuring during a predetermined period comprising:

first means sensing presence of a QR rise in a heart beat waveform and triggering at a predetermined level of said rise to generate a blanking pulse having a duration greater than a normal R-wave complex;

second means producing a pulse of pre-set duration upon completion of said blanking pulse from said first means;

an AND gate controlled to an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' state by said pulse of said second means to pass waveforms while in said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' state;

third means accumulating waveform pulses occurring while said AND gate is periodically in said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' state; and

indicator means connected to be activated upon receiving a pulse from said third means when said third means accumulates a predetermined number of waveform pulses in a predetermined period.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first sensing means is a multivibrator.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said second means is a multi-vibrator.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said third means is a counter.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said third means includes a second AND gate to receive a waveform simultaneously with said AND gate.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said third means is a pulse counter responsive to positive pulses passed by said AND gate.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 including an input amplifier connected to said first means, said first AND gate, and said second AND gate to receive waveforms.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1 including an input amplifier connected to said first means and said AND gate to receive waveforms, said AND gate passing a waveform when in an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' state.