Apparatus and method for consistent patient-specific EKG electrode positioning
First Claim
1. A patient-specific apparatus for consistent EKG electrode positioning, comprising, in combination:
- a precordial electrode platform;
a plurality of precordial electrodes, each precordial electrode being attached to said precordial electrode platform in a manner initially non-fixed with respect to said precordial electrode platform and each other;
means for permanently retaining the position of each of said precordial electrodes on said precordial electrode platform after proper positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on a particular patient for EKG testing;
means for transmitting the signals received via said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine; and
an adjustable position indicator for initial proper positioning of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient.
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Abstract
A patient-specific electrode positioning apparatus and method allow the standard twelve-lead EKG test to be performed in an accurate and consistent manner by eliminating individual positioning of the six precordial electrodes for all but the first test on a particular patient. Each electrode is slidably mounted on a platform aligned on the torso of the patient. The mount containing each electrode is adjusted until the electrode is properly positioned for the test and then the mount is permanently fixed in place by a lock-down mechanism, leaving the electrodes permanently positioned on the platform so that, when the platform is aligned properly on the particular patient'"'"'s torso utilizing a pre-adjusted index marker, the electrodes will be properly positioned for a repeat administration of the EKG test. In one embodiment, the platform is flexible plastic with a "reversed S" shape and embedded wires accessible at one end of the platform for connection to the EKG machine. The electrodes are mounted on plastic electrical connectors extending around the precordial electrode platform in a manner allowing each electrode to be initially freely moveable along the length of the platform. Once each electrode is properly positioned, the connector on which it is mounted is activated by compressing the plastic connector body around the platform, simultaneously fixing the electrode in place and making an electrical connection between the electrode and one of the embedded wires. Limb electrodes in any of the standard implementations may be used, as may standard telemetry devices. This embodiment may also be configured for use in a right-sided EKG test by reversing the platform horizontally and flipping over the connectors. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the platform has multiple articulating arms particularly adapted for folding the device. The device may further be combined in a carrying case with various optional devices and medical information.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A patient-specific apparatus for consistent EKG electrode positioning, comprising, in combination:
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a precordial electrode platform; a plurality of precordial electrodes, each precordial electrode being attached to said precordial electrode platform in a manner initially non-fixed with respect to said precordial electrode platform and each other; means for permanently retaining the position of each of said precordial electrodes on said precordial electrode platform after proper positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on a particular patient for EKG testing; means for transmitting the signals received via said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine; and an adjustable position indicator for initial proper positioning of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A patient-specific EKG electrode platform, comprising, in combination:
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a flexible electrode platform, said flexible electrode platform further having embedded wires, said embedded wires being individually connectable to an EKG machine, a set of precordial EKG electrodes, each precordial electrode slidably attached along said flexible electrode platform in an initially non-fixed manner; means for permanently connecting each one of said precordial electrodes to a pre-specified one of said embedded wires, such that each of said precordial electrodes will be attached to the one of said embedded wires that is connectable to the EKG machine input configured to receive signals from said electrode; means for permanently fixing and maintaining the position of each of said precordial electrodes on said flexible electrode platform after proper initial positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on a particular patient for EKG testing; an adjustable position indicator for proper positioning of said flexible electrode platform on said particular patient; means for guiding proper initial positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on said particular patient; and means for maintaining contact between said flexible electrode platform and said particular patient after proper positioning of said flexible electrode platform on said patient in order to ensure proper contact between said precordial electrodes and said patient. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A patient-specific EKG electrode platform, comprising, in combination. an electrode platform, said electrode platform being articulating or telescoping to allow folding or collapsing for storage;
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a set of precordial EKG electrodes, each precordial electrode slidably attached along said electrode platform in an initially non-fixed manner, said precordial electrodes further being individually connectable to an EKG machine via wires or telemetry devices, such that each of said precordial electrodes is connectable to the EKG machine input configured to receive signals from said electrode; means for permanently fixing and maintaining the position of each of said precordial electrodes on said electrode platform after proper initial positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on a particular patient for EKG testing; an adjustable position indicator for proper positioning of said electrode platform on said particular patient; means for guiding proper initial positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on said particular patient; and means for maintaining contact between said electrode platform and said particular patient after proper positioning of said electrode platform on said patient in order to ensure proper contact between said precordial electrodes and said patient. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for consistent EKG electrode positioning, comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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movably pre-attaching a plurality of precordial electrodes to a precordial electrode platform; properly positioning said precordial electrode platform on a particular patient with an adjustable position indicator provided on said platform; properly positioning each of said precordial electrodes on said patient by sliding each of said precordial electrodes along said precordial electrode platform; permanently fixing and maintaining the position of each of said properly positioned precordial electrodes on said precordial electrode platform; maintaining proper constant contact between said precordial electrode platform and said patient at all times after proper positioning of said platform on said patient; and transmitting the signals received from said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A patient-specific apparatus capable of properly and permanently positioning electrodes for either left- or right-sided EKG tests, comprising, in combination:
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a precordial electrode platform; a plurality of precordial electrodes, each precordial electrode being attached to said precordial electrode platform in a manner initially non-fixed with respect to said precordial electrode platform and each other; means for permanently retaining the position of each of said precordial electrodes on said precordial electrode platform after proper positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on a particular patient for EKG testing; means for slidably removing and reversing the orientation of said precordial electrodes on said precordial electrode platform before the position of said precordial electrodes is permanently fixed; means for attaching said flexible electrode platform to said patient in a horizontally flipped orientation in order to allow the EKG test to be performed on the opposite side of the chest of said patient from the initial orientation of said apparatus; means for transmitting the signals received via said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine; and an adjustable position indicator for initial proper positioning of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient. - View Dependent Claims (51)
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52. A patient-specific kit for consistent EKG electrode positioning, comprising, in combination:
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a precordial electrode platform, said precordial electrode platform comprising, in combination; a flexible platform; a plurality of precordial electrodes, each precordial electrode being attached to said flexible platform in a manner initially non-fixed with respect to said flexible platform and each other; means for permanently retaining the position of each of said precordial electrodes on said flexible platform after proper positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on a particular patient for EKG testing; means for transmitting the signals received via said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine;
an adjustable position indicator for initial proper positioning of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient, anda carrying case, said carrying case having one or more internal wells to receive said precordial electrode platform and any accessories. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A patient-specific apparatus for consistent EKG electrode positioning, comprising, in combination:
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a precordial electrode platform; a plurality of precordial electrodes, each precordial electrode being attached to said precordial electrode platform in a manner initially non-fixed with respect to said precordial electrode platform and each other, a plurality of clamping members, each clamping member for permanently retaining the position of one of said precordial electrodes on said precordial electrode platform after proper positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on a particular patient for EKG testing; a signal transmitter for transmitting the signals received via said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine; and an adjustable position indicator for initial proper positioning of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient.
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Specification