Apparatus and method for consistent patient-specific electrode positioning for EKG testing and delivery of electrical energy to the heart

• US 6,400,975 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robin B. Mcfee
• Original Assignee: Robin B. Mcfee
• Inventors: McFee, Robin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/609,079
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372-394, 600/509, 607/152, 607/142, 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance

Abstract

A patient-specific electrode positioning apparatus and method allow EKG testing and delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses to the heart to be performed in an accurate and consistent manner by eliminating individual positioning of precordial electrodes for all but the first EKG test on a particular patient. Each electrode is slidably mounted on a platform aligned on the torso of the patient. Each electrode is adjusted until it is properly positioned and then it 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 an adjustable position indicator, the electrodes will be properly positioned for a repeat administration of the EKG test and for delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses.

Claims

1. A patient-specific apparatus for consistent electrode positioning for EKG testing and delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses to a heart, 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 and defibrillation;

means for transmitting the signals received via said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine;

means for transmitting electrical energy to said precordial electrodes; and

an adjustable position indicator for initial proper positioning of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of precordial electrodes comprises the six standard precordial electrodes commonly used for an EKG test.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for initially guiding proper positioning of each of said precordial electrodes on said particular patient.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for initially guiding proper positioning of said electrodes comprises marked areas on said precordial electrode platform.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for initial proper positioning of said platform is an adjustable measurement strip attached to said precordial electrode platform.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said measurement strip is initially aligned to the jugular notch of said particular patient, said measurement strip being permanently adjustable at first placement of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient so that subsequent alignment of said measurement strip to said jugular notch will instantly properly position said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said measurement strip is initially aligned to the angle of Louis of said particular patient, said measurement strip being permanently adjustable at first placement of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient so that subsequent alignment of said measurement strip to said angle of Louis will instantly properly position said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said measurement strip is initially aligned to the xiphoid process of said particular patient, said measurement strip being permanently adjustable at first placement of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient so that subsequent alignment of said measurement strip to said xiphoid process will instantly properly position said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting electrical energy comprises wire leads.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein electrical energy transmitted to said precordial electrodes provides defibrillation.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein electrical energy transmitted to said precordial electrodes provides external pacemaker therapy.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein electrical energy transmitted to said precordial electrodes provides cardioversion of tachydysrhythmias.

13. A patient-specific electrode platform for EKG testing and delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses to a heart, comprising, in combination:

a flexible electrode platform, said flexible electrode platform further having two sets of embedded wires, a first set of the embedded wires being individually connectable to an EKG machine and a second set of the embedded wires being individually connectable to a source of electrical energy;

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 in each of the two sets of embedded wires, such that each of said precordial electrodes will be attached to both one of said embedded wires that is connectable to an EKG machine input configured to receive signals from said electrode and to one of said embedded wires that is connectable to an output of the electrical energy source configured to send a signal to 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 and delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses;

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.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said adjustable position indicator works by alignment to a pre-specified and easily recognizable site on the body of said patient.

15. A method for consistent positioning of a set of electrodes for EKG testing and delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses to a heart, comprising, in combination, the steps of:

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;

transmitting the signals received from said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine; and

transmitting therapeutic electrical impulses from a source of electrical energy to said precordial electrodes.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of transmitting therapeutic electrical impulses from a source of electrical energy to said precordial electrodes includes simultaneous transmission of impulses of energy to each electrode.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of transmitting therapeutic electrical impulses from a source of electrical energy to said precordial electrodes includes transmitting impulses of energy to each electrode in a predetermined sequence.

18. The method of claim 15, further including the step of reusing said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient after said precordial electrode platform has first been removed from and then replaced on said patient.

19. The method of claim 15, further including the steps, in combination, of:

reversing the orientation of said precordial electrodes on said precordial electrode platform before said precordial electrodes have been permanently fixed to said platform; and

reversing the orientation of said platform on said patient in order to obtain an opposite-sided EKG tracing.

20. A patient-specific apparatus for consistent positioning of electrodes for EKG testing and delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses to a heart, 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;

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 and delivery of therapeutic electrical impulses;

a plurality of wire leads for transmitting the signals received via said precordial electrodes to an EKG machine;

a plurality of wire leads for transmitting signals from a source of electrical energy to said precordial electrodes; and

an adjustable position indicator for initial proper positioning of said precordial electrode platform on said particular patient.