Portable life detection monitor including lead fail detector and unique signal processing system

• US 5,002,064 A
• Filed: 08/31/1989
• Issued: 03/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Henry Halperin, Joseph L. Allain
• Original Assignee: Henry Halperin, Joseph L. Allain
• Inventors: Halperin, Henry, Allain, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/401,206
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 128/640, 128/696, 128/701-706, 128/710, 128/731, 128/902
• US Class Current: 600/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 29/06 Arrangements for guiding hand cutting tools guiding equipment or arrangements for specific cutting tools, see the particular places, e.g. for hair trimming devices A45D24/36, for saw blades B27B11/02, B26B13/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/902 Biological signal amplifier

Abstract

An electronic miniaturized, pocket-sized device for monitoring EKG and/or EEG signals and storing such signals. First, second and third electrodes are adapted for connection to a human body and first and second voltage amplifiers are electrically connected to respective ones of the first and second electrodes for producing first and second output signals having low noise content. A third amplifier is connected to both the first and second voltage amplifier for producing two output signals, one being the difference in voltage of the two voltage amplifiers as amplified and the second output being the difference of the bias voltages of the first and second voltage amplifiers. A lead fail detector includes voltage sensing device electrically connected to the second output of the third voltage amplifier and outputting a signal only when the difference of the bias voltages of the electrodes through the respective first and second voltage amplifiers is above a preselected level. A lead fail signalling device is electrically connected to the voltage sensing device and can be actuated by the output of any of the voltage sensors. In at least one voltage information providing device is connected to each of the output of the third voltage amplifier providing information to the user in a desired format.

Claims

1. A portable, miniaturized life detection monitor system for monitoring electrical signals of the human body, comprising:

a. first, second and third electrodes for connection to a human body,

b. first and second high impedance electronic voltage amplifier means electrically connected to respective ones of said first and second electrodes for producing first and second output signals,

c. common mode rejection amplifier means connected to said third electrode and serving as a DC return for improving common mode rejection and supplying bias voltages to said first and second high impedance amplifiers,

d. third voltage amplifier means connecting said third voltage amplifier means to both of said first and second high impedance voltage amplifier means, said third voltage amplifier means producing two output signals, one output signal being the difference in output voltages of the said two voltage amplifiers, and the second output being the difference of the bias voltages of the said first and second voltage amplifiers,

e. a lead fail detector means including a voltage sensitive detector electrically connected to said third voltage amplifier and producing a signal only when (1) one of said electrodes becomes detached from said human body, and (2) when said difference in bias voltage exceeds a preselected level, lead fail signaling means electrically connected to said voltage sensitive detector, said lead fail signalling means being activated by the output, if any, of said voltage sensing means, and

f. at least one information providing means connected to each output of said third voltage amplifier means for providing information to the user in a desired format.

2. The monitor system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said two electrodes are of a low polarizing character.

3. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein said electrodes are each equipped with adhesive portions allowing them to be affixed to the patient by said adhesive during the use of the monitor.

4. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein at least one of each said voltage amplifier means is a protected, high impedance, isolation, buffer amplifier.

5. The monitor defined in claim 1, including a housing having a display face and an electrode face, said first, second and third electrodes being mounted in a spaced array on said electrode face, and a peelable non-conductive adhesive sheet secured to said electrode areas during nonuse thereof.

11. The monitor defined in claim 1, including a removable non-conductive adhesive covering for said conductive area.

6. A portable, miniaturized life detection monitor system for monitoring electrical signals of the human body, comprising:

a. first, second and third electrodes for connection to a human body,

b. first and second high impedance electronic voltage amplifier means electrically connected to respective ones of said first and second electrodes for producing first and second output signals,

c. common mode rejection amplifier means connected to said third electrode and serving as a DC return for improving common mode rejection and supplying bias voltages to said first and second high impedance amplifiers,

d. third voltage amplifier means connecting said third voltage amplifier means to both of said first and second high impedance voltage amplifier means, said third voltage amplifier means producing two output signals, one output signal being the difference in output voltages of the said two voltage amplifiers, and the second output being the difference of the bias voltages of the said first and second voltage amplifiers,

e. a lead fail detector means including voltage sensitive detector electrically connected to said third voltage amplifier, producing a signal only when (1) one of said electrodes becomes detached from said human body, and (2) when the difference in bias voltage exceeds a preselected level, lead fail signaling means electrically connected to said voltage sensitive detector, said lead fail signalling means being activated by the output, if any, of said voltage sensing means, and

f. at least one information providing means connected to each output of said third voltage amplifier means for providing information to the user in a desired format wherein there is further included a peak detector connected to receive said one output signal, sensitivity means for controlling the sensitivity of said peak detector, an analog-to-digital converter connected to receive said one output signal, a microprocessor connected to said analog-to-digital converter and controlling said sensitivity means by said lead fail detector through said analog-to-digital converter and said microprocessor.

7. A portable, miniaturized life detection monitor system for monitoring electrical signals of the human body, comprising:

a. first, second and third electrodes for connection to a human body,

b. first and second high impedance electronic voltage amplifier means electrically connected to respective ones of said first and second electrodes for producing first and second output signals,

c. common mode rejection amplifier means connected to said third electrode and serving as a DC return for improving common mode rejection and supplying bias voltages to said first and second high impedance amplifier means,

d. third voltage amplifier means connecting said third voltage amplifier means to both of said first and second high impedance voltage amplifier means, said third voltage amplifier means producing two output signals, one output signal being the difference in output voltages of the said two voltage amplifiers, and the second output being the difference of the bias voltages of the said first and second voltage amplifiers,

e. a lead fail detector means including voltage sensitive detector electrically connected to said third voltage amplifier, producing a signal only when (1) one of said electrodes becomes detached from said human body, and (2) when the difference in bias voltage exceeds a preselected level, lead fail signaling means electrically connected to said voltage sensitive detector, said lead fail signalling means being activated by the output, if any, of said voltage sensing means, and

f. at least one information providing means connected to each output of said third voltage amplifier means for providing information to the user in a desired format wherein there is further included an analog-to-digital converter connected to receive said analog signal from said, the analog signal being converted to a digital signal before being outputted to said information providing means.

8. A portable, miniaturized life detection monitor system for monitoring EKG signals, comprising:

a. first, second and third electrodes for connection to a human body,

b. first and second voltage amplifier means electrically connected to respective ones of said first and second electrodes for producing first and second output signals having low noise content,

c. fourth amplifier means connected to said third electrode for improving common mode rejection and supplying bias voltages to said first and second voltage amplifier means,

d. third voltage amplifier means having at least two outputs, said third voltage amplifier means connected to both of said first and second voltage amplifier means for producing two output signals, one output being the difference in voltage of the said two voltage amplifiers as amplified, and the second output being the difference of the bias voltages of the said first and second voltage amplifiers,

e. a lead fail detector means including voltage sensing means electrically connected to said second output, said voltage sensing means outputting a signal only when said difference of bias voltages of said electrodes through their respective first and second voltage amplifiers is above a preselected level, lead fail signaling means electrically connected to said voltage sensing means, said lead fail signalling means being activated by the output, if any, of said voltage sensing means,

f. at least one information providing means connected to each output of said third voltage amplifier means for providing information to the user in a desired format, wherein the information providing means comprises;

a. an analog-to-digital converter connected to said lead fail detector,

b. microprocessor means connected to said analog-to-digital converter,

c. peak current detection means connected to said microprocessor means,

d. a visual display connected to said microprocessor means,

e. indicator means connected in series with said microprocessor means,

f. external display and analyzer means connected to said microprocessor means.

9. A portable, miniaturized life detection monitor system for monitoring electrical signals of the human body, comprising:

a. first, second and third electrodes for connection to a human body,

b. first and second high impedance electronic voltage amplifier means electrically connected to respective ones of said first and second electrodes for producing first and second output signals,

c. common mode rejection amplifier means connected to said third electrode and serving as a DC return for improving common mode rejection and supplying bias voltages to said first and second high impedance electronic voltage amplifier means,

d. third voltage amplifier means connecting said third voltage amplifier means to both of said first and second high impedance voltage amplifier means, said third voltage amplifier means producing two output signals, one output signal being the difference in output voltages of the said two voltage amplifiers, and the second output being the difference of the bias voltages of the said first and second voltage amplifiers,

e. a lead fail detector means including voltage sensitive detector electrically connected to said third voltage amplifier, producing a signal only when (1) one of said electrodes becomes detached from said human body, and (2) when the difference in bias voltage exceeds a preselected level, lead fail signaling means electrically connected to said voltage sensitive detector, said lead fail signalling means being activated by the output, if any, of said voltage sensing means, and

f. at least one information providing means connected to each output of said third voltage amplifier means for providing information to the user in a desired format including a housing having a pair of grooves in a surface thereof, wherein said first and second electrodes are on arms mounted in said grooves in said housing, respectively, said arms being slidable laterally in said grooves to adjust the spacing between said electrodes on a human body.

10. The monitor defined in claim 9, wherein said third electrode is constituted by at least one conductive area on said surface having said grooves.

12. The monitor defined in claim 9, wherein said electrical body signals are EKG signals of a human heart and said information providing means includes means providing a digital readout of the heart rate of said human heart.

13. A portable miniaturized life detection monitor for detecting biopotentials generated on the human body, including a plurality of spaced electrode means for contacting said human body, circuit means for processing said biopotentials and means providing a display of processed signals, the improvement comprising a housing, for said monitor, a common surface on said housing said plurality of spaced electrode means being constituted by a plurality of spaced conductive areas on said common surface of said housing, and including a peelable non-conductive adhesive sheet means commonly covering all said electrodes.

14. The portable miniaturized life detection monitor defined in claim 13, wherein said peelable non-conductive sheet means is a sheet common to all said electrodes.