DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SELF-ADMINISTERED ECG EXAMINATIONS

Abstract

Devices and methods comprise or provide an ECG recording device containing a mailable base and electrode assembly and/or other means engageable with the base to receive ECG signals from a subject during a self-administered ECG examination. The devices and methods may also include a single-use or limited-use ECG recording device, in which the base is disposable or reusable or recyclable. In addition, the device may be self-contained, battery-operated, portable, disposable, mailable to a location remote from an ECG examination, provide feedback, indicate its method of use, including graphically depicting same, contain a finger cuff and/or sensor pad for receiving ECG signals, and/or contain a memory. Preferably, the base conforms to various body shapes and/or sizes, is made of flexible and/or semi-flexible material, and/or contains a receptor, such as sealable blood well. The device can also communicate the ECG signals to an ECG processing system, which can be remote from the ECG examinations and comprise wireless communications.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting inventive arrangements, and of various construction and operational aspects of typical mechanisms provided by such arrangements, are readily apparent by referring to the following illustrative, exemplary, representative, and non-limiting figures, which form an integral part of this specification, in which like numerals generally designate the same elements in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ECG recording device and return mailer for returning the ECG recording device to a processing facility;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the ECG recording device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of an alternative ECG recording device;

FIG. 4 is a view showing collection of a fluid sample by an ECG recording device;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating positioning a subject's hands within an ECG recording device;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating positioning an ECG recording device on a subject's abdomen;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating communication of control units of an ECG recording device; and

FIG. 8 is a high-level block diagram of a control circuit included as part of an ECG recording device.

Claims

1. An electrocardiogram (“ECG”) recording device, comprising: a mailable base; andan electrode assembly engageable with said base to receive at least one or more ECG signals from a subject during at least one or more self-administered ECG examinations.

2. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured to be self-contained.

3. The ECG recording device of claim 2, wherein said device is configured to be battery-operated.

4. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured to be portable.

5. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured to be disposable.

6. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured to be mailable to a location remote from at least one of said ECG examinations.

7. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured to provide feedback.

8. The ECG recording device of claim 7, wherein said device is configured to provide said feedback to said subject.

9. The ECG recording device of claim 8, wherein said device is configured to provide said feedback to said subject when said device is in use.

10. The ECG recording device of claim 7, wherein said device is configured to provide said feedback through a display.

11. The ECG recording device of claim 10, wherein said device is configured in operative communication with said display.

12. The ECG recording device of claim 10, wherein said device is integrated with said device.

13. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured to indicate its method of use.

14. The ECG recording device of claim 13, wherein said device graphically depicts said method of use.

15. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said electrode assembly comprises at least one or both of a finger cuff configured to receive said ECG signals from said subject or a sensor pad configured to receive said ECG signals from said subject.

16. The ECG recording device of claim 15, wherein at least one or both of said finger cuff is configured to receive said ECG signals from a finger of said subject or said sensor pad is configured to receive said ECG signals from an abdomen of said subject.

17. The ECG recording device of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said finger cuff is made of an electrically conductive material.

18. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said base is configured to conform to various body shapes or sizes.

19. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said base is made of flexible material.

20. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said base contains a receptor.

21. The ECG recording device of claim 20, wherein said receptor is sealable.

22. The ECG recording device of claim 20, wherein said receptor is engageable to receive at least one or more fluids.

23. The ECG recording device of claim 22, wherein at least one of said fluids is received from said subject.

24. The ECG recording device of claim 22, wherein at least one of said fluids is blood.

25. The ECG recording device of claim 1, further comprising: a memory configured to store said ECG signals.

26. The ECG recording device of claim 25, wherein said memory is integrated with said base.

27. The ECG recording device of claim 25, wherein said memory is removable from said base.

28. The ECG recording device of claim 1, wherein said device is configured to communicate said ECG signals to an ECG processing system.

29. The ECG recording device of claim 28, wherein said ECG processing system is remote from a location of at least one of said ECG examinations.

30. The ECG recording device of claim 28, wherein said device is configured to communicate said ECG signals to said ECG processing system wirelessly.

31. An electrocardiogram (“ECG”) recording device, comprising: a mailable base; andmeans engageable with said base for receiving at least one or more ECG signals from a subject during at least one or more self-administered ECG examinations.

32. An electrocardiogram (“ECG”) recording method, comprising: providing a mailable base and electrode assembly engageable with said base to receive at least one or more ECG signals from a subject during at least one or more self-administered ECG examinations.

33. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: receiving said ECG signals.

34. The ECG recording method of claim 33, wherein said ECG signals are received from said subject.

35. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: receiving at least one or more fluids.

36. The ECG recording method of claim 35, wherein at least one of said fluids is received from said subject.

37. The ECG recording method of claim 35, wherein at least one of said fluids is blood.

38. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: storing said ECG signals.

39. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: communicating said ECG signals to an ECG processing system.

40. The ECG recording method of claim 39, wherein said ECG processing system is remote from a location of at least one of said ECG examinations.

41. The ECG recording method of claim 39, wherein said ECG signals are communicated to said ECG processing system wirelessly.

42. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: indicating when at least one of said ECG examinations is required.

43. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: indicating when at least one of said ECG examinations has started.

44. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: indicating when at least one of said ECG examinations is completed.

45. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: indicating a length of time to conduct at least one of said ECG examinations.

46. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: indicating a number of times to conduct at least one of said ECG examinations.

47. The ECG recording method of claim 32, further comprising: indicating a quality measure of at least one of said ECG signals.

48. An electrocardiogram (“ECG”) recording method, comprising: providing a mailable base and means engageable with said base for receiving at least one or more ECG signals from a subject during at least one or more self-administered ECG examinations.

49. A single-use or limited-use electrocardiogram (“ECG”) recording device, comprising: a disposable or reusable or recyclable base; andan electrode assembly engageable with said base to receive at least one or more ECG signals from a subject during at least one or more ECG examinations.

50. An electrocardiogram (“ECG”) recording method, comprising: providing a disposable or reusable or recyclable base and electrode assembly engageable with said base to receive at least one or more ECG signals from a subject during at least one or more ECG examinations.

51. The ECG recording method of claim 50, further comprising: receiving said ECG signals.