Procedure and device for the detection of extraordinary events in a series of essentially periodically recurring normal events
First Claim
1. Procedure for the detection of extraordinary events in a series of essentially periodically recurring normal events, particularly extra systoles in the EKG, said procedure comprising:
- manually setting a control (1) to a selected fixed value representing a time period corresponding to a fixed monitoring interval between successive occurrences of a normal event,in a first mode of operation responding to each occurrence of the normal event to begin scanning for a further event, and continuing such scanning for a fixed time duration which corresponds to said selected fixed value, and so monitoring for a further event after each normal event directly according to said selected fixed value so long as the first mode of operation continues, shifting over from said first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, and during said second mode of operation;
(a) activating a comparator circuit (17, 18,
28) with the compartor having a first input (29) receiving a signal in accordance with said selected fixed value from the control (1) and having a second input (27) connected with a voltage regulator (22,
23),(b) monitoring the actual repetition rate of currently occurring normal events by means of a frequency to voltage converter (24),(c) supplying the output of the frequency to voltage converter (24) to said voltage regulator (22,
23) with the output of the voltage regulator being connected to the second input (27) of he comparator circuit (17, 18,
28),(d) step by step adjusting the amplification factor of the voltage regulator (22,
23) until the output therefrom as supplied to the second input (27) of the comparator circuit matches the signal at the first input (29) thereof,(e) responding to the matching at the first and second inputs of the comparator circuit (17, 18,
28) to fix the amplification factor at the currently adjusted value, and(f) thereafter during said second mode of operation supplying the output of the voltage regulator (22,
23) with the amplification factor thereof adjusted according to steps (d) and (e) as a control value representing the time duration of a concomitantly variable monitoring interval, and thereafter responding to each occurrence of the normal event to begin scanning for an extraordinary event, and continuing such scanning for a time duration which is a function of said control value during said second mode of operation.
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Abstract
In an illustrative embodiment EKG normal pulses have a time separation representing a monitoring interval, and upon the occurrence of a normal event (normal pulse), circuitry is activated to determine whether further events occur during the monitoring interval. The monitoring interval can be set at a constant value or a variably concomitant value as a function of the interval between the periodic normal events. Upon switching over from constant value to concomitant value of the monitoring interval, a comparator is activated, which comparator compares a time interval value between periodic normal events determined by means of a frequency-voltage converter with the constant value of the monitoring interval. A regulating element controls the converter output voltage by means of amplification alteration in such manner that it is altered toward the direction of the constant value of monitoring interval. Upon equality, the comparator generates a shutdown signal. The voltage value of the frequency-voltage converter serves then, after shutdown of the regulation upon attainment of the now-constant amplification factor, for the concomitant setting of the monitoring interval. Thus, the setting follows largely automatically, so that the correct value sets itself.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. Procedure for the detection of extraordinary events in a series of essentially periodically recurring normal events, particularly extra systoles in the EKG, said procedure comprising:
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manually setting a control (1) to a selected fixed value representing a time period corresponding to a fixed monitoring interval between successive occurrences of a normal event, in a first mode of operation responding to each occurrence of the normal event to begin scanning for a further event, and continuing such scanning for a fixed time duration which corresponds to said selected fixed value, and so monitoring for a further event after each normal event directly according to said selected fixed value so long as the first mode of operation continues, shifting over from said first mode of operation to a second mode of operation, and during said second mode of operation; (a) activating a comparator circuit (17, 18,
28) with the compartor having a first input (29) receiving a signal in accordance with said selected fixed value from the control (1) and having a second input (27) connected with a voltage regulator (22,
23),(b) monitoring the actual repetition rate of currently occurring normal events by means of a frequency to voltage converter (24), (c) supplying the output of the frequency to voltage converter (24) to said voltage regulator (22,
23) with the output of the voltage regulator being connected to the second input (27) of he comparator circuit (17, 18,
28),(d) step by step adjusting the amplification factor of the voltage regulator (22,
23) until the output therefrom as supplied to the second input (27) of the comparator circuit matches the signal at the first input (29) thereof,(e) responding to the matching at the first and second inputs of the comparator circuit (17, 18,
28) to fix the amplification factor at the currently adjusted value, and(f) thereafter during said second mode of operation supplying the output of the voltage regulator (22,
23) with the amplification factor thereof adjusted according to steps (d) and (e) as a control value representing the time duration of a concomitantly variable monitoring interval, and thereafter responding to each occurrence of the normal event to begin scanning for an extraordinary event, and continuing such scanning for a time duration which is a function of said control value during said second mode of operation.
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2. Apparatus for the implementation of the procedure according to claim 14, comprising
manually adjustable control means (1) for selecting a selected fixed value representing a time period corresponding to a fixed monitoring interval between successive occurrences of a normal event, switchover means (2) for selecting between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, monitoring means (3, 5-13) connected with said manually adjustable control means (1) under the control of said switchover means (2) and operable in the first mode of operation as selected by said switchover means (2) to respond to each occurrence of the normal event to begin scanning for a further event, and continuing such scanning for a fixed time duration which corresponds to said selected fixed value, and so monitoring for a further event after each normal event directly according to said selected fixed value so long as the first mode of operation continues, comparator circuit means (17, 18, 28) comprising a comparator (28) having a first input (29) connected with said control means (1) for receiving a signal in accordance with said selected fixed value, and having a second input (27), voltage regulator means (22, 23) having a frequency to voltage converter (24) for supplying a signal to said regulator means (22, 23) in accordance with the frequency of occurrence of normal events, having step by step amplification adjusting means (19-21) connected therewith for controlling the amplification factor thereof, and having an output connected to the second input (27) of said comparator (28), and also connected under the control of said switchover means with said monitoring means (3, 5-9, 11-13) so that in said second mode of operation as selected by said switchover means (2) the output of said regulator means (22, 23) is supplied to said monitoring means, said comparator circuit means (17, 18, 28) being responsive to switchover of said switchover means (2) to said second mode of operation to activate said step by step amplification adjusting means (19-21) to progressively change the amplification factor of the regulator means (22, 23) until said comparator (28) signals a match between its first and second inputs, said monitoring means (3, 5-9, 11-13) thereafter during said second mode of operation responding to each occurrence of the normal event to begin scanning for an extraordinary event, and being responsive to the output of said regulator means (22, 23) to continue such scanning for a time duration which is a function of the output of said frequency to voltage converter (24) and the amplification factor of said regulator means as set by said step by step amplification adjustment means (19-21), thereby to provide a concomitantly variable monitoring interval.
Specification