Body worn physiological sensor device having a disposable electrode module

• US 8,630,699 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2012
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Baker, Steven D., McAdams, Eric T., Welch, James P., Ohlenbusch, Norbert, Blackadar, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US13/488,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20120238890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 600508-509, 600/372
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0214 Capacitive electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/301 providing electrical separation, e.g. by using isolating transformers or optocouplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/303 Patient cord assembly, e.g. cable harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68335 including release sheets or liners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 : Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B

Abstract

A method for providing high voltage circuit protection for a patient monitor. The method includes providing a substrate that supports one or more electrical connections to a patient'"'"'s body. The method further includes determining a print pattern and thickness of a first material having a first resistivity to be printed on the substrate, determining a print pattern and thickness of a second material having a second resistivity to be printed on the substrate, printing the first material onto the substrate, and printing the second material onto the substrate wherein at least part of the second the material overlays the first material.

Claims

1. An ECG monitor comprising:

a plurality of electrical connections including at least one electrode, the electrical connections being couplable to a skin surface to measure patient heartbeat signals;

a power source;

at least one current-limiting defibrillation protection resistor, said at least one current-limiting defibrillation protection resistor comprising a resistor screened onto a substrate; and

an ECG electronics module, the ECG electronics module receiving and processing patient heartbeat signals from the plurality of electrical connections,

wherein the at least one current-limiting defibrillation protection resistor is electrically disposed between at least one of the plurality of electrical connections and the ECG electronics module.

2. The ECG monitor of claim 1, wherein the at least one current-limiting defibrillation protection resistor comprises a resistor screened onto a flexible substrate.

3. The ECG monitor of claim 1, wherein a mechanical interface is defined from the at least one series current-limiting resistor to the at least one ECG electrode, the mechanical interface including a filleted edge.

4. The ECG monitor of claim 1, wherein a mechanical interface is defined from the at least one series current-limiting resistor to the at least one ECG electrode, the mechanical interface including a plurality of overlapped layers.

5. The ECG monitor of claim 4, wherein the plurality of overlapped layers comprise a carbon resistive layer screened over a conductive surface, the carbon resistive layer having substantially the same shape as the conductive surface.

6. The ECG monitor of claim 1, the ECG monitor further comprising a pacer detect circuit to detect the presence or absence of a pacemaker, the ECG electronics module drawing power as an electrical load on the power source wherein the pacer detect circuit, upon detection of the absence of a pacemaker signal in a patient being monitored by the ECG monitor, causes the ECG electronics module to disable the pacer detect circuit in order to reduce the electrical load on the power source.

7. The ECG monitor of claim 6, wherein the power source is a battery.

8. The ECG monitor of claim 1, wherein the ECG electronics module includes a microprocessor to process the heartbeat signals, wherein an algorithm running on the microprocessor causes the ECG monitor to enter a low power mode that disables at least one circuit of the ECG electronics module, from the end of a “

T wave”

at the end of one heartbeat to the beginning of a “

P wave”

at the beginning of the next heartbeat, in order to reduce said electrical load on the power source.