Electrocardiographic method and device

• US 5,257,631 A
• Filed: 07/21/1992
• Issued: 11/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter J. Wilk
• Original Assignee: Peter J. Wilk
• Inventors: Wilk, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US07/917,819
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 128/696, 128/640, 128/639, 128/702, 128/710, 128/708, 128/706, 128/644, 128/384
• US Class Current: 600/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287

Abstract

A device for monitoring heart activity comprises a carrier having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being and a plurality of capacitative metallic foil elements attached to the carrier, the foil elements being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction. A voltage sensing circuit is operatively connected to the foil elements for monitoring voltage levels induced therein upon approximation of the foil elements to a patient'"'"'s chest.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring heart activity, comprising:

capacitative coupling means including a plurality of capactitative metallic foil elements for detecting EKG signals, said foil elements being sufficiently large in area to detect voltage potentials through a clothing layer over a person'"'"'s chest and being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction;

carrier means for attaching said foil elements to one another and maintaining said elements in spaced relation to each other, said carrier means having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being; and

voltage sensing means operatively connected to said foil elements for monitoring voltage levels induced therein upon approximation of said foil elements to a patient'"'"'s chest.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes means for pressing said foil elements against a patient.

3. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said means for pressing includes a strap or belt.

4. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said means for pressing includes a weighted layer of said carrier, said foil elements being connected to said weighted layer along a major surface thereof.

5. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising display means operatively connected to said voltage sensing means for displaying electrical heart rhythms of the patient.

6. The device defined in claim 5 wherein said display means includes a CRT monitor.

7. The device defined in claim 5 wherein said display means includes a printer.

8. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage sensing means is mounted to said carrier, further comprising transmitter means mounted to said carrier for wirelessly transmitting encoded voltage signals to a remote receiver.

9. The device defined in claim 8, further comprising display means operatively connected to said voltage sensing means via said transmitter means and said receiver for displaying electrical heart rhythms of the patient.

10. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage sensing means is connected to said foil elements via a cable.

11. A method for monitoring heart activity, comprising the steps of:

providing a carrier having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being, capacitative coupling means including a plurality a plurality of capacitative metallic foil elements for detecting EKG signals being attached to said carrier, said foil elements being sufficiently large in area to detect voltage potentials through a clothing layer over a persons'"'"'s chest and being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction;

positioning said carrier over a layer of clothing on a patient'"'"'s chest to juxtapose said foil elements with predetermined areas of the patient'"'"'s chest; and

automatically monitoring voltage levels induced in said foil elements upon approximation of said foil elements to the patient'"'"'s chest.

12. The method defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of pressing said foil elements against the patient.

13. The method defined in claim 12 wherein said step of pressing includes the step of disposing a weighted layer above said foil elements.

14. The method defined in claim 13 wherein said layer is a part of said carrier.

15. The method defined in claim 12 wherein said step of pressing includes the step of fastening a strap or belt about a rib cage of the patient.

16. The method defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting encoded voltage signals to a remote receiver.