CARDIAC WARNING DEVICE

• US 3,724,455 A
• Filed: 06/02/1970
• Issued: 04/03/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul N. Unger
• Original Assignee: Paul N. Unger
• Inventors: Unger, Paul N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/042,850
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.5R,2.5S,2.5T,2.6A,2.6F,2.6G,2.6R,2.1A,2.1R,419D
• US Class Current: 600/515
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting and responding to herald signs in the cardiac waveform, such as a fast heartbeat rate, a low rate or a skipped heartbeat. In one embodiment the detection of a herald sign causes the ECG waveform to be transmitted to a remote location where it is analyzed and a signal retransmitted to the patient triggering an alarm or causing other appropriate action. In another embodiment, the detection of a herald sign causes the ECG to be recorded on a loop of magnetic tape or a modular solid state memory device in the unit so that the tape can be replayed and acoustically coupled to the telephone line after the patient calls the central facility. In yet another embodiment, the detection of different herald signs causes different alarm signals, e.g., colored lights, different alarm signals identifying the abnormality, to be operated to indicate to the patient what medication he should administer to himself or whatever other action he should take in the event that communication with central facility cannot be immediately achieved.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting potentially dangerous herald signs in a cardiac waveform of an individual comprising:

means for detecting the cardiac waveform and producing a signal representing that waveform, means for receiving said representing signal, producing a first output signal when the heartbeat rate is less than a first given rate and producing a second output signal when the heartbeat rate is greater than a second given rate, means for receiving said first output signal and producing a light of a first color to the individual that the rate has been determined to be less than said first rate, means for receiving said second output signal and producing a light of a second color different from said first warning signal and indicating to the individual that the rate has been determined to be greater than said second rate, means for receiving said representing signal, said first output signal and said second output signal and for recording said representing waveform for a given time after receipt of either said first output or second output signal, means for transmitting the recorded signal, to a remote facility after said herald sign is detected, and means for receiving said first output signal and said second output signal and producing an audible noise whenever either said first color light or said second color light is produced.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 including means for manually adjusting the volume of said third warning signal.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said transmitting means includes means for detachably coupling said transmitting means to a telephone line.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said receiving and first and second output signal means includes means for producing a third output signal when a heartbeat is skipped and including means for receiving said third output signal and producing a third warning signal indicating to the individual that the heartbeat has been skippeD.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 including a housing containing all of said means and adapted to be carried by said individual.

6. An apparatus for detecting and responding to herald signs in the cardiac waveform of an individual comprising:

means for detecting the cardiac waveform and producing a signal representing that waveform, means for receiving and recording said representing signal, and means for receiving said representing signal for detecting herald signs and for controlling said receiving and recording means so that said receiving and recording means preserves a portion of said representing signal whenever a herald sign is detected, including means for translating said recorded representing signal into a radio signal and transmitting said radio signal to a remote facility, means for receiving a radio signal from said remote facility and producing an alarm signal which is manifest to said individual.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said receiving and producing means includes defibrillating means operable in response to a given signal from said remote receiver.

8. A system for detecting and responding to herald signs in the cardiac waveforms of individuals comprising:

a central monitoring facility including computer means for receiving and analyzing a received signal, means for displaying the output of said computer means, memory means for storing the output of the computer and means for transmitting the output of the computer to a remote location, and a plurality of individual units each adapted to be carried with an individual and each including, means for detecting the cardiac waveform and producing a signal representing that waveform, means for detecting a herald sign, means for receiving and recording said representing signal for a given time after a herald sign is detected, and means for transmitting said recording to said central facility.

9. A method of detecting and responding to herald signs in the cardiac waveforms of individuals in a system with a central monitoring facility and a plurality of individual units each adapted to be carried with an individual comprising the steps of:

detecting the cardiac waveform in each individual unit and producing a signal representing that waveform, detecting a herald sign in each unit, recording and retaining said representing signal in a unit for a given time after a herald sign is detected in that unit, and transmitting said recording to said central facility after a herald sign is detected, analyzing said transmitted recording in said central facility and transmitting information with respect to future actions to be taken from said central facility back to the individual having a unit which has transmitted said recording after detecting a herald sign.

10. A method of detecting and responding to herald signs in the cardiac waveforms of individuals in a system with a central monitoring facility and a plurality of individual units each adapted to be carried with an individual comprising the steps of:

detecting the cardiac waveform in each individual unit and producing a signal representing that waveform, detecting a herald sign in each unit, recording and retaining said representing signal in a unit for a given time after a herald sign is detected in that unit, and transmitting said recording to said central facility after a herald sign is detected, receiving and analyzing the transmitted signal in computer means at said central facility, displaying the output of said computer means, storing the computer output and transmitting the computer output to a remote location.