Universal electrocardiogram sensor positioning device and method

• US 6,400,977 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unilead International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unilead International Incorporated
• Inventors: Wenger, William K., Kelly, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US09/461,701
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 600/382, 600/386, 600/388-393
• US Class Current: 600/382
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287

Abstract

A universal disposable ECG sensor positioning device and method for use with electrocardiogram diagnostic equipment in which the mask has nine sensors, six of which can be used at any one time to provide three different sizes to accommodate varying sized human torsos.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining an electrocardiogram by means of a universal ECG multiple sensor dermal precordial mask incorporating sensors V₁, V₂, V₃, V₄, V₅, and V₆ for fitting different sizes of human bodies, said method comprising the steps of

providing a mask having at least nine precordial sensor positions forming at least three sets of sensor groups including three positions for each of said V₅ and V₆ sensors, wherein said nine sensor positions are disposed in a specific geometric arrangement with said V₁-V₄ being utilized for all sizes of bodies, said V₅ position having two independent sensor positions and sharing a third with said V₆ position, and said V₆ position having two additional positions, said mask including indicia for determining which sensor positions correspond to said three sensor sets,

aligning said mask on a patient'"'"'s chest so that said V₁ and V₂ are disposed approximately on opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s sternum,

ascertaining from said indicia which of said three V₆ sensor positions lies on or is closest to the patient'"'"'s midaxillary line, and

obtaining electrocardiographic information from the corresponding set of sensors which include said V₆ sensor.

2. A mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein when said mask is utilized for a small size torso, the alternate V₅ sensor position disposed closest to said V₄ position is utilized along with said shared V₅ and V₆ position,

when said mask is utilized for a medium size torso, the middle alternate V₅ sensor position, disposed between said first alternate V₅ position disposed closest to said V₄ position, and between said shared V₅ and V₆ position, is utilized along with said V₆ position disposed between said shared V₅ and V₆ position, and the other remaining V₆ position, and

when said mask is utilized for a large size torso, said shared V₅ and V₆ sensor position is utilized along with said remaining V₆ position.

3. A universal ECG multiple sensor dermal precordial mask for fitting different sizes of human bodies for obtaining electrocardiographic information using sensors V₁, V₂, V₃, V₄, V₅, and V₆, said mask comprising

a sheet of non-conductive material incorporating at least nine sensor positions forming three sets of sensor groups including three positions for each V₅ and V₆ positions, said nine sensor positions being disposed in a specific geometric arrangement with said V₁-V₄ positions being utilized for all sizes of bodies, said V₅ position having two independent sensor positions and sharing a third with said V₆ position and said V₆ position having two additional positions.

4. A mask as set forth in claim 3, wherein said sheet is disposable.

5. A mask as set forth in claim 3, wherein said sheet is flexible.

6. The mask as set forth in claim 3 wherein

said V₁ and V₂ sensor positions are disposed equidistant from the patient'"'"'s sternum and on the fourth intercostal space, the center of said V₁ position is located approximately 2.0 inches from the center of said V₂ position on the 270 degree radial therefrom,

the center of said V₄ position is located approximately 3.5 inches from the center of said V₂ position on the 125 degree radial therefrom,

the center of said V₃ position is disposed on a line and equidistant between said V₂ and said V₄ positions, and

said V₅ and V₆ positions have three alternative positions each, all of said positions being disposed on a 90 degree radial from said V₄ position, the centers of said V₅ positions being located 1.75, 2.5, and 3.5 inches therefrom and the centers of said V₆ positions being located 3.5, 5.0, and 7.0 inches therefrom whereby the centers of said V₅ and V₆ positions which are both located 3.5 inches from said V₄ position share a common position in the different sets of sensors.