Multiple electrode EKG device

• US 5,782,238 A
• Filed: 11/27/1995
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin M. Beitler
• Original Assignee: Martin M. Beitler
• Inventors: Beitler, Martin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/563,264
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 128/639, 128/644, 607/148, 607/149
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287

Abstract

A flexible multiple electrode EKG device is disclosed for hooking a patient to an electrocardiograph instrument, which is capable of being used with a variety of different sized patients. The assembly comprise a pad having sufficient weight to ensure that the pad will conform closely to the outer surface of the patient'"'"'s chest when in place. A plurality of sets of electrodes are embedded in the pad, with each set of electrodes corresponding to a particular body size. A switch is provided for selectively activating the appropriate set of electrodes, depending on the size of the patient, to ensure optimal positioning of the electrodes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning electrodes onto a patient to facilitate the use of an electrocardiograph instrument, said apparatus comprising:

a) a flexible pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pad having sufficient uniform weight across its entirety such that the lower surface of the pad will maintain substantially complete contact with a patient'"'"'s chest when the pad is positioned thereon;

b) a plurality of sets of electrodes exposed through the lower surface of the pad;

c) an electrical lead associated with each individual electrode for connecting said electrode to an electrocardiograph machine; and

d) a switch for preferentially activating or deactivating each electrode, whereby a specific desired pattern of activated electrodes can be achieved, depending on the size of the patient.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each set of electrodes has a desired pattern of electrodes corresponding to a particular patient body size.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switch for selectively for activating or deactivating each electrode also activates or deactivates the other electrodes in the same set as that electrode.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there are three sets of electrodes.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the three sets of electrodes comprises six electrodes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein two of the electrodes within each set of electrodes are common electrodes shared by each of the three sets of electrodes.

7. An apparatus for positioning electrodes onto a patient to facilitate the use of an electrocardiograph instrument, said apparatus comprising:

a) a flexible pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pad having sufficient uniform weight across its entirety such that the lower surface of the pad will maintain substantially complete contact with a patient'"'"'s chest when the pad is positioned thereon;

b) a plurality of electrodes exposed through the lower surface of the pad;

c) an electrical lead associated with each individual electrode for connecting said electrode to an electrocardiograph machine; and

d) a switch for preferentially activating or deactivating each electrode, whereby a specific desired pattern of activated electrodes can be achieved, depending on the size of the patient,

wherein the flexible pad comprises

(i) an upper sheet of material and a lower sheet of material, said upper and lower sheets of material positioned adjacent to one another and connected to one another along their respective perimeters, forming an interior region therebetween; and

(ii) a uniformly weighted sheet positioned within the interior region, said weighted sheet having sufficient weight whereby the lower surface of the flexible pad will maintain substantially complete contact with a patient'"'"'s chest when placed upon the chest.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the weighted sheet is lead.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the specific position of each individual electrode is indicated on the upper sheet of the pad.

10. An apparatus for positioning electrodes onto a patient to facilitate the use of an electrocardiograph instrument, said apparatus comprising:

a) a flexible pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pad having sufficient uniform weight across its entirety such that the lower surface of the pad will maintain substantially complete contact with a patient'"'"'s chest when the pad is positioned thereon;

b) a plurality of electrodes exposed through the lower surface of the pad;

c) an electrical lead associated with each individual electrode for connecting said electrode to an electrocardiograph machine; and

d) a switch for preferentially activating or deactivating each electrode, whereby a specific desired pattern of activated electrodes can be achieved, depending on the size of the patient,

wherein a separate pressure-activated switch is associated with each of the electrodes, said pressure activated switch positioned on the upper surface of the pad at a position corresponding to the position of the associated electrode.