Electrocardiograph (ECG) electrode testing system

• US 4,498,479 A
• Filed: 06/24/1982
• Issued: 02/12/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kone Oyj
• Original Assignee: Kone Oyj
• Inventors: Reitmaa, Ilpo, Martio, Asko, Lautamo, Esa
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, K. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Falk, Steven
• Application Number:
  US06/391,950
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 128/731, 128/703, 128/706, 128/902, 128/696, 128/639-644, 128/908, 128/303.13, 128/303.14, 128/419 P, 128/419 R, 128/421, 128/422, 128/783-786
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/66 Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55

Abstract

A system for testing the attachment of an electrocardiograph (ECG) electrode intended to be used in connection with an electrode monitoring the function of the heart, muscles or other organs to indicate detachment of the electrode from its fixing base, said electrode being provided with voltage monitoring apparatus. The electrode comprises a capacitive sheath insulated from the electrode and from its fixing base and an alternating voltage source arranged to supply a signal voltage to the sheath so that on detachment of the electrode from its fixing base immediately an alternating voltage is induced from the sheath to the electrode.

Claims

1. A system for testing the attachment of an ECG electrode intended to be used in connection with an electrode monitoring the function of the heart, muscles or other human organs to indicate detachment of the electrode from its fixing base on the human skin, said system comprising:

an ECG electrode having a fixing base for connecting the electrode to the skin of a patient, wherein the electrode comprises a conductive capacitive sheath electrically insulated from the electrode and from said fixing base;

an alternating voltage source supplying a signal voltage to the sheath; and

voltage monitoring and display apparatus electrically connected to said electrode, so that on any detachment of the electrode from said fixing base an alternating voltage from said voltage source is immediately induced from the sheath to the electrode and is displayed in said voltage monitoring and display apparatus.

2. The electrode attachment testing system of claim 1, wherein said voltage monitoring and display apparatus includes a pulse shaper unit, an amplifier, and a display tube all functionally interconnected to each other.

3. The electrode attachment testing system of claim 1, wherein said voltage monitoring and display apparatus includes a recorder unit connected to the display tube.

4. A system for testing the attachment of an ECG electrode intended to be used in connection with an electrode monitoring the function of the heart, muscles and other human organs to indicate detachment of the electrode from its fixing base on the human skin, said system comprising:

(a) an ECG electrode having a fixing base for connecting the electrode to human skin, wherein the electrode comprises a conductive capacitive sheath electrically insulated from the electrode and from said fixing base;

(b) an alternating voltage source supplying a signal voltage to the sheath; and

(c) voltage monitoring and display apparatus including a pulse shaper unit, an amplifier, a display tube all electrically and functionally interconnected to each other, and a recorder unit electrically connected to said display tube, whereby upon any detachment of said electrode from said fixing base an alternating voltage from said voltage source is immediately induced from said sheath to the electrode, and the voltage is displayed on said display tube and said recorder unit.