Ambulatory data recorder having ergonomically shaped housing

• US 6,142,938 A
• Filed: 08/06/1998
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Satherley, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/129,917
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/345-350
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick

Abstract

An ambulatory recorder having an enhanced ergonomic case is described. The case has a smooth curved semi-circular surface within a first plane along the top surface while further having an at least partially curved surface along a second end. These curved surfaces render the recorder less likely to be caught on objects or on the patient'"'"'s arms or hands while worn. The recorder is thus more comfortable to wear and operate.

Claims

1. An ambulatory data recorder, comprising:

a housing;

a catheter for sensing at least one physiologic signal;

means for connecting to the catheter disposed in the housing, the catheter connecting means connecting to at least a portion of the catheter and providing electrical and mechanical connection thereto;

means for recording the physiologic signal disposed in the housing, the physiologic signal recording means being electrically coupled to the catheter connecting means such that the at least one physiologic signal sensed by the catheter may be recorded by the physiologic signal recording means;

wherein the housing is ergonomically-shaped and comprises top and bottom surfaces bounded and separated by opposing first and second side edges and opposing upper and lower edges, the first and second side edges defining respective widths of the top and bottom surfaces, the widths varying substantially equally between the first and second side edges when proceeding from the lower edge to the upper edge, the upper and lower edges being separated by a minimum distance, there being a first point at which a maximum width is defined along the minimum distance, the top surface having a substantially rounded and smooth surface, the top surface, the bottom surface, the first edge, the second edge, the upper edge and the lower edge defining substantially smooth corners in regions where the surfaces intersect, the data recorder having a center of gravity disposed at a second point which lies between the lower edge and the first point.

2. An ambulatory recorder according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is at least partially curved.

3. An ambulatory recorder according to claim 1, wherein the physiologic signal recording means is powered by a battery.

4. An ambulatory recorder according to claim 1, further comprising an enclosure for enclosing the catheter connection means and the physiologic signal recording means, the enclosure having a first cross sectional shape when taken along a first plane which is at least partially elliptical along a first end.

5. An ambulatory recorder according to claim 4, wherein the first cross sectional shape is at least partially curved along a second end.

6. An ambulatory recorder according to claim 4, wherein the first cross sectional shape is taken along a major longitudinal plane.

7. An ambulatory recorder according to claim 4, wherein the enclosure further comprises a second cross section along a second minor longitudinal plane, the second cross section having a first end and a second end, the first end being curved.

8. An ambulatory recorder according to claim 1, wherein the physiologic signal recording means further comprises a memory.