Device for physiological measurement

• US 9,675,267 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
• Original Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
• Inventors: Jrvitalo, Toni, Laakkonen, Kauko, Kalajo, Aku, Saalasti, Sami
• Primary Examiner(s): FAIRCHILD, MALLIKA DIPAYAN
• Application Number:
  US14/436,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20150272466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/304 Switching circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices

Abstract

A device for physiological measurement. The device includes at least two terminal units connectable to each other, of which a first terminal unit includes an electric circuit, an ECG-electrode and a first connector assembly having at least one ECG-contact for connecting at least one other ECG-electrode. A second terminal unit includes other ECG-electrodes and a second connector assembly having a counter ECG-contact adapted to be fitted to the ECG-contact of the first connector assembly. The first and second terminal are together arranged to connect the ECG-electrode of each second terminal unit to the electric circuit in the first terminal unit and, as separated, are arranged to enable the use of the function contacts of the first connector assembly.

Claims

1. A device for physiological measurement including at least two terminal units connectable to each other, comprising:

a first terminal unit includes an electric circuit having electric components implementing functions of the device, a first ECG (electrocardiogram)-electrode connected to the said electric circuit and a first connector assembly having at least one ECG-contact for connecting at least one another ECG-electrode to the said electric circuit, the electric circuit having signal processing means assembled therein and a battery coupled to it,

at least one opposite terminal unit including a second ECG-electrode and second connector assembly having a counter ECG-contact and adapted to be fitted to the ECG-contact of the first connector assembly, wherein at least two ECG-electrodes including the first ECG-electrode of the first terminal unit and the second ECG-electrode of at least one opposite terminal unit are to be coupled to the said electric circuit for measuring heart beats,

wherein the first connector assembly includes function contacts connected to the said electric circuit for communication with an external device and/or charging the battery,

wherein the first terminal unit and at least one opposite terminal unit, as connected together, are arranged to connect the ECG-electrode of each opposite terminal unit including the first ECG-electrode of the first terminal unit and the second ECG-electrode of at least one opposite terminal unit to the said electric circuit in the first terminal unit,

wherein the first terminal unit and at least one opposite terminal unit, as separated, are arranged to enable the use of the function contacts of the first connector assembly connected to the said electric circuit, and to disconnect the first ECG-electrode of the first terminal unit from the said electric circuit in the first terminal unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first connector assembly includes an isolation switch arranged to connect and disconnect the first ECG-electrode of the first terminal unit from the electric circuit, and the second connector assembly includes a butt member of the isolation switch.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the isolation switch includes a switching mechanism and a release mechanism of the switching mechanism, and the butt member is arranged to effect to the switching mechanism.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism includes an operating member arranged to connect a contact member to the electric circuit, and the release mechanism includes a spring member connected to the operating member.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ECG-contact of the first terminal unit and the counter ECG-contact of the opposite terminal unit are flexibly connected.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the ECG-contact of the first terminal unit is a flat spring and the counter ECG-contact of the opposite terminal unit is a pogo pin.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second connector assembly includes a cavity arranged to embed at least part of the function contacts when the terminal units are connected.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal units include shape locking formations for connecting them together detachably.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is arranged to act as a logger and includes a data logger assembled in the electric circuit for storing the measured heart beats into heartbeat data.