Portable system and method for monitoring of a heart and other body functions

• US 8,467,860 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2009
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexandria Salazar, Rosina Zollino
• Original Assignee: Alexandria Salazar, Rosina Zollino
• Inventors: Salazar, Alexandria, Zollino, Rosina
• Primary Examiner(s): MALAMUD, DEBORAH LESLIE
• Application Number:
  US12/320,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20100185062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 600/301, 600508-509, 600/513, 600/515, 600522-523
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes

Abstract

Portable systems and methods for continuous and discontinuous monitoring of a user'"'"'s heart activity, for obtaining a complete, up to twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading are disclosed. A plurality of wearable wired or wireless sensors obtain raw electrocardiogram data from the user. The raw electrocardiogram data is transmitted to data storage media, which include computer instructions for converting the raw data to a complete, up to twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading. The computer instructions can compare the electrocardiogram to one or more predetermined threshold parameters and/or medical standards. The results of the comparison, the electrocardiogram, the parameters, the raw data, the user'"'"'s location, or combinations thereof, can be transmitted to one or more destinations, which can include medical facilities, insurance providers, emergency responders, and/or family physicians or specialists. The system is thereby usable both for transmitting alerts during emergency situations, and for routine monitoring and diagnosis.

Claims

1. A method for continuous monitoring of heart activity of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least six sensors to limbs and a torso of a user, wherein said at least six sensors are configured for portability to enable a continuous period of diagnostic monitoring of the user sufficient to form a medical diagnosis;

obtaining raw electrocardiogram data sufficient to determine a complete diagnostic twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading from the user using said at least six sensors configured for continuous monitoring of the user;

maintaining said at least six sensors in association with the user for a period of diagnostic monitoring sufficient to form the medical diagnosis;

converting the raw electrocardiogram data to a complete diagnostic twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading suitable for formulating a medical diagnosis;

comparing the complete diagnostic twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading to at least one predetermined threshold electrocardiogram parameter to form a comparison;

transmitting the complete diagnostic twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading to at least one destination;

formulating the medical diagnosis of the user at said at least one destination using the complete diagnostic twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading; and

wherein the continuous monitoring is done while performing routine mobile activities.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining a location of the user if the complete diagnostic twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading exceeds said at least one predetermined threshold electrocardiogram parameter and transmitting the location to said at least one destination.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing an alert to the user, said at least one destination, or combinations thereof, if the complete diagnostic twelve-lead electrocardiogram reading exceeds said at least one predetermined threshold electrocardiogram parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

measuring a heart rate of the user, an oxygen saturation level of the user, a breath rate of the user, a temperature of the user, or combinations thereof; and

transmitting the heart rate, the oxygen saturation level, the breath rate, the temperature, or combinations thereof, to said at least one destination.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the heart rate, the oxygen saturation level, the breath rate, the temperature, or combinations thereof, to at least one predetermined threshold parameter; and

providing the alert to the user, said at least one destination, or combinations thereof, if the heart rate, the oxygen saturation level, the breath rate, the temperature, or combinations thereof, exceeds said at least one predetermined threshold parameter.