Virtual Holter

• US 6,701,184 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spacelabs Healthcare LLC (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Del Mar Reynolds Medical, Inc. (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Henkin, Raphael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman, Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/944,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20020035336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 600/301, 600/382, 600/449-450, 600/481-485, 600/493-503, 600/508-527
• US Class Current: 600/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals

Abstract

A method for conducting a worldwide, inexpensive and accessible ECG Holter data scanning, processing, and analyzing system by way of obtaining a Holter recording in a conventional manner, then downloading that analog or digital data to a PC, then going online through the PC by way of an ISP, such as DSL, capable of large data transfer, through a USB to tie into a URL web address for a Central Computing Facility with advanced and multifaceted data analysis capability available for short term licensed use, then downloading the Holter data to that URL, then scanning and analyzing the downloaded data at that Central Facility in real time from the remote site, then choosing which alternative analysis sub programs need be run on the stored data, and finally returning the selected Holter analysis to the remote site and tagging, storing, and archiving the raw ECG data and the patient demographics, along with results of the various analyses performed on that data in the Central Facility archives for future access.

Claims

1. A method for performing a long term, ambulatory electrocardiograph (ECG) Holter data analysis, comprising the following steps:

accumulating Holter ECG data by conventional Holter means,

downloading said Holter data to a remote site PC terminal,

coupling said remote site PC terminal over the Internet to a centralized site Holter computer facility,

downloading, scanning, and analyzing said Holter data in real time, from said remote site while coupled to said centralized site Holter computer facility, utilizing unique and proprietary software on sophisticated computer hardware at said centralized site on a temporary/limited license use per unit time basis;

returning processed and analyzed Holter ECG data as said data is being scanned through an identical reverse path over the Internet to said remote site PC terminal, and

selectively storing said processed data at said centralized site computer facility.

2. A method for performing a Holter diagnosis, comprising the following steps:

accumulating ECG data by conventional Holter recording means;

downloading said data to a PC at a remote site;

coupling the remote site to a large and complex centralized Holter data analysis computer facility through the Internet;

passing said data from the PC over the Internet to the computer facility;

scanning and analyzing said data in real time with proprietary software on sophisticated computer hardware at the computer facility, wherein the software grants a temporary/limited license use per hour basis;

returning processed and analyzed ECG data as it is being scanned and analyzed by an identical reverse path over the Internet to the PC at the remote site; and

disclosing a Holter analysis by conventional discussion means to the patient.

3. A method for performing a Holter ECG diagnosis, comprising the following steps:

accumulating ECG data by conventional Holter means for recording from an ambulatory patient at a Remote Site;

downloading said ECG data to a PC terminal at said Remote Site;

coupling said Remote Site PC terminal to a Centralized Computer Facility through the Internet for Holter data scan, process, and analysis of said ECG data;

passing said ECG data from said Remote Site PC terminal over the Internet to said Centralized Computer Facility;

scanning, processing and analyzing said ECG data at said Centralized Computer Facility with proprietary software on sophisticated computer hardware at said Centralized Computer Facility while concomitantly monitoring the process in real time at said Remote Site PC terminal, by means of a purchased and temporary license to use said proprietary software on a per unit time basis; and

returning scanned, processed and analyzed ECG data by an identical reverse path over the Internet to said Remote Site PC.

4. A method for performing Holter ECG data analysis according to claim 3, wherein said scanned, processed, and analyzed data is returned to said Remote Site PC during the monitored analysis process.

5. A method for performing Holter ECG data analysis according to claim 5, wherein said scanned, processed, and analyzed data is returned to said Remote Site PC at a later date.

6. A method for performing Holter ECG data analysis according to claim 5, wherein said scanned, processed, and analyzed data is archived at said Centralized Computer Facility for future evaluation, comparison and access.