Ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring patch optimized for capturing low amplitude cardiac action potential propagation
First Claim
1. An ambulatory electrocardiography monitor optimized for capturing low amplitude cardiac action potential propagation using embedded electrodes, comprising:
- a disposable extended wear electrode patch comprising;
a flexible backing comprising stretchable material defined as an elongated strip with a narrow longitudinal midsection, the flexible backing further comprising a distal end and a proximal end, each end of the flexible backing comprising an adhesive contact surface adapted to serve as a crimp relief;
a distal electrically conductive adhesive positioned on the distal end and configured for directly contacting a patient;
a proximal electrically conductive adhesive positioned on the proximal end and configured for directly contacting the patient;
a pair of flexile wires, one of the wires forming an electrocardiographic electrode by a portion of the one wire embedded within the distal electrically conductive adhesive on the distal end, the one wire continuing back along an axial path through the narrow longitudinal midsection, another one of the wires forming another electrocardiographic electrode by a portion of the another wire embedded within the proximal electrically conductive adhesive on the proximal end, wherein the embedded portion of the one wire receives electrical potentials of the patient directly from the distal electrically conductive adhesive and the embedded portion of the another wire receives electrical potentials of the patient directly from the proximal electrically conductive adhesive; and
a non-conductive receptacle affixed to a non-contacting surface of the flexible backing and comprising an electro mechanical docking interface, the non-conductive receptacle comprising electrode terminals aligned to electrically interface the pair of the flexile wires to an ambulatory electrocardiography monitor recorder; and
wherein the ambulatory electrocardiography monitor further comprises the ambulatory electrocardiography monitor recorder, the ambulatory electrocardiography monitor recorder comprising;
a wearable housing adapted to securely fit into the non-conductive receptacle; and
electronic circuitry provided within the wearable housing and comprising an external interface configured to be removably connected to the electrocardiographic electrodes via the docking interface, further comprising;
a low power microcontroller operable to execute over an extended period under modular micro program control as specified in firmware;
an electrocardiographic front end circuit under the control of the microcontroller adapted to sense cardiac electrical potential differentials through the electrocardiographic electrodes, which are provided to the microcontroller as electrocardiographic signals representative of amplitudes of the action potential propagation; and
non-volatile memory electrically interfaced with the microcontroller and operable to continuously store samples of the electrocardiographic signals throughout the extended period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Physiological monitoring can be provided through a lightweight wearable monitor that includes two components, a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a reusable monitor recorder that removably snaps into a receptacle on the electrode patch. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient'"'"'s chest along the sternum oriented top-to-bottom. The placement of the wearable monitor in a location at the sternal midline, with its unique narrow “hourglass”-like shape, significantly improves the ability of the wearable monitor to cutaneously sense cardiac electrical potential signals, particularly the P-wave and the QRS interval signals indicating ventricular activity in the ECG waveforms. In particular, the ECG electrodes on the electrode patch are tailored to be positioned axially along the midline of the sternum for capturing action potential propagation in an orientation that corresponds to the aVF lead used in a conventional 12-lead ECG that is used to sense positive or upright P-waves.
385 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An ambulatory electrocardiography monitor optimized for capturing low amplitude cardiac action potential propagation using embedded electrodes, comprising:
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a disposable extended wear electrode patch comprising; a flexible backing comprising stretchable material defined as an elongated strip with a narrow longitudinal midsection, the flexible backing further comprising a distal end and a proximal end, each end of the flexible backing comprising an adhesive contact surface adapted to serve as a crimp relief; a distal electrically conductive adhesive positioned on the distal end and configured for directly contacting a patient; a proximal electrically conductive adhesive positioned on the proximal end and configured for directly contacting the patient; a pair of flexile wires, one of the wires forming an electrocardiographic electrode by a portion of the one wire embedded within the distal electrically conductive adhesive on the distal end, the one wire continuing back along an axial path through the narrow longitudinal midsection, another one of the wires forming another electrocardiographic electrode by a portion of the another wire embedded within the proximal electrically conductive adhesive on the proximal end, wherein the embedded portion of the one wire receives electrical potentials of the patient directly from the distal electrically conductive adhesive and the embedded portion of the another wire receives electrical potentials of the patient directly from the proximal electrically conductive adhesive; and a non-conductive receptacle affixed to a non-contacting surface of the flexible backing and comprising an electro mechanical docking interface, the non-conductive receptacle comprising electrode terminals aligned to electrically interface the pair of the flexile wires to an ambulatory electrocardiography monitor recorder; and wherein the ambulatory electrocardiography monitor further comprises the ambulatory electrocardiography monitor recorder, the ambulatory electrocardiography monitor recorder comprising; a wearable housing adapted to securely fit into the non-conductive receptacle; and electronic circuitry provided within the wearable housing and comprising an external interface configured to be removably connected to the electrocardiographic electrodes via the docking interface, further comprising; a low power microcontroller operable to execute over an extended period under modular micro program control as specified in firmware; an electrocardiographic front end circuit under the control of the microcontroller adapted to sense cardiac electrical potential differentials through the electrocardiographic electrodes, which are provided to the microcontroller as electrocardiographic signals representative of amplitudes of the action potential propagation; and non-volatile memory electrically interfaced with the microcontroller and operable to continuously store samples of the electrocardiographic signals throughout the extended period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An extended wear electrocardiography patch, comprising:
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a flexible backing formed of an elongated strip of stretchable material with a narrow longitudinal midsection evenly tapering inward from a distal end and a proximal end, the elongated strip adherable only to a contact surface defined on each of the ends; a distal electrically conductive adhesive positioned on the distal end and configured for directly contacting a patient; a proximal electrically conductive adhesive positioned on the proximal end and configured for directly contacting the patient; a pair of flexile wires, one of the wires forming an electrocardiographic electrode by a portion of the wire embedded within the distal electrically conductive adhesive on the distal end, the one wire continuing back along an axial path through the narrow longitudinal midsection, another one of the wires forming another electrocardiographic electrode by a portion of the another wire embedded within the proximal electrically conductive adhesive, wherein the embedded portion of the one wire receives electrical potentials of the patient directly from the distal electrically conductive adhesive and the embedded portion of the another wire receives electrical potentials of the patient directly from the proximal electrically conductive adhesive; a circuit board affixed on the proximal end of the elongated strip, comprising a battery compartment operable to hold a battery for powering an electrocardiography monitor recorder, and one or more electrical pads operable to electrically couple the electrocardiography monitor recorder with the flexile wires; and a non-conductive receptacle securely adhered to one of the ends of the elongated strip opposite the contact surface and formed to removably receive the electrocardiography monitor recorder. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification