ELECTRODE ARRAY AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SIGNALS FOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS

Abstract

An electrode array is provided for a system for recording electrocardiogram signals. The array includes a sheet-like holding element, with a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode for connection to the skin of a patient. The electrodes are arranged at the holding element. A transmitting device is arranged at the holding element. A system is also provided for detecting electrocardiogram signals that includes the electrode array. The electrode array as well as the system for detecting electrocardiogram signals fastens a plurality of electrodes on the body of a patient without these having to be connected to one another based on the provision of a reference potential terminal (6). The reference potential terminal (6) is connected to the first electrode (3) and to the second electrode (4) and makes available a reference potential. The reference potential terminal (6) and the third electrode (5) are connected to the transmitting device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the lower part of a first exemplary embodiment of an electrode array;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the upper part of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrode array;

FIG. 3 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the electrodes at the lower part for the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of an electrode array according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a third exemplary embodiment of an electrode array according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a system according to the present invention for detecting an electrocardiogram;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the upper part of a transmission electrode array.

Claims

1. An electrode array for a system for recording electrocardiogram signals, the electrode array comprising: a sheet-like holding element;a first electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said first electrode being arranged at said holding element;a second electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said second electrode being arranged at said holding element;a third electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said third electrode being arranged at said holding element;a transmitter means arranged at said holding element; anda reference potential terminal connected to said first electrode and said second electrode and at which a reference potential is made available, said reference potential terminal and said third electrode being connected to said transmitter.

2. An electrode array in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first resistor is provided between said reference potential terminal and said first electrode and a second resistor is provided between said first reference potential terminal and said second electrode.

3. An electrode array in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first resistor and said second resistor are adjustable.

4. An electrode array in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first capacitor and/or a first inductor is connected between said reference potential terminal and said first electrode, and a second capacitor and/or a second inductor is connected between said reference potential terminal and said second electrode.

5. An electrode array in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reference potential terminal is connected to said third electrode and a resistor is provided between said first reference potential terminal and said third electrode.

6. An electrode array in accordance with claim 5, wherein said resistor is adjustable.

7. An electrode array in accordance with claim 5, wherein a capacitor and/or an inductor is connected between said reference potential terminal and said third electrode.

8. An electrode array in accordance with claim 5, wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are connected to the transmitter means.

9. An electrode array in accordance with claim 8, further comprising: a first signal amplifier;a second signal amplifier; anda third signal amplifier wherein an input of said first signal amplifier is connected to said first reference potential terminal and to said third electrode, an input of said second signal amplifier is connected to said reference potential terminal and to said first electrode, an input of said third signal amplifier is connected to said first reference potential terminal and to said second electrode, and an output of said first signal amplifier, and output of said second signal amplifier and an output of said third signal amplifier are connected to said transmitter.

10. An electrode array in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reference potential terminal is a first reference potential terminal and further comprises: a second reference potential terminal connected to said second electrode and connected to said third electrode; anda third reference potential terminal connected to said first electrode and connected to said third electrode, said second reference potential terminal and said third reference potential terminal as well as said second electrode and said third electrode being connected to said transmitter.

11. An electrode array in accordance with claim 10, further comprising: a first resistor provided between said first reference potential terminal and said first electrode;a second resistor provided between said first reference potential terminal and said second electrode;a third resistor provided between said second reference potential terminal and said second electrode;a fourth resistor provided between said second reference potential terminal and said third electrode;a fifth resistor provided between said third reference potential terminal and said third electrode; anda sixth resistor provided between said third reference potential terminal and said first electrode.

12. An electrode array in accordance with claim 11, wherein each of said first resistor, said second resistor said third resistor, said fourth resistor, said fifth resistor and said sixth resistor are adjustable.

13. An electrode array in accordance with claim 10, further comprising: a first capacitor and/or a first inductor connected between said first reference potential terminal and said first electrode;a second capacitor and/or a second inductor connected between said first reference potential terminal and said second electrode;a third capacitor and/or a third inductor connected between said second reference potential terminal and said second electrode;a fourth capacitor and/or a fourth inductor connected between said second reference potential terminal and said third electrode; anda fifth capacitor and/or a fifth inductor connected between said third reference potential terminal and said third electrode; anda fifth capacitor and/or a fifth inductor connected between said third reference potential terminal and said first electrode.

14. An electrode array in accordance with claim 10, further comprising: a first signal amplifier with an input connected to said first reference potential terminal and to said third electrode;a second signal amplifier with an input connected to said second reference potential terminal and to said first electrode; anda third signal amplifier with an input connected to said third reference potential terminal and to said second electrode, and an output of said first signal amplifier, and output of said second signal amplifier and an output of said third signal amplifier are connected to said transmitter.

15. An electrode array in accordance with claim 1, wherein a fourth electrode is provided and is attached to said holding element, said fourth electrode being connected to said transmitter.

16. An electrode array in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a signal amplifier, said fourth electrode and said reference potential terminal being connected to an input of said signal amplifier and an output of said signal amplifier is connected to said transmitter.

17. An electrode array in accordance with claim 15, wherein said fourth electrode has a ring-shape and surrounds said first, second and third electrodes.

18. An electrode array in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said holding element has an upper part and a lower part, said electrodes (3, 4, 5) being fastened to said lower part; andsaid transmitter is provided at said upper part.

19. An electrode array in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said holding element includes a power supply part, andsaid power supply part is provided with a power supply unit for supplying power to the electrode array.

20. An electrode array in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit.

21. A system for recording electrocardiogram signals, the system comprising: a receiving and evaluating unit; anda plurality of electrode arrays, each of said electrode arrays comprising: a sheet-like holding element;a first electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said first electrode being arranged at said holding element;a second electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said second electrode being arranged at said holding element;a third electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said third electrode being arranged at said holding element;a transmitter arranged at said holding element;a first reference potential terminal connected to said first electrode and connected to said second electrode, and at which a reference potential is made available, said reference potential terminal and said third electrode being connected to said transmitter.

22. A system in accordance with claim 21, further comprising: a transmission electrode array comprising:a sheet-like holding element; a first electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said first electrode being arranged at said holding element;a second electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said second electrode being arranged at said holding element;a third electrode for connection to the skin of a patient, said third electrode being arranged at said holding element;a transmitter arranged at said holding element;a receiving unit arranged at said holding element;a reference potential terminal connected to said first electrode and connected to said second electrode and at which a reference potential is made available, said reference potential terminal, said third electrode and the receiving unit being connected to the transmitting unit, said receiving unit receiving signals of said transmitter of said electrode arrays and said transmitter transmitting data to said receiving and evaluating unit.

23. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said transmitting unit is connected to said receiving and evaluating unit via a wireless connection.

24. A system in accordance with claim 23, wherein said transmitting unit has a transmitter detachably attached to said transmitting unit.

25. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said transmitting unit and said receiving and evaluating unit are connected to one another by means of optical interfaces.

26. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said transmitting unit is connected to said receiving and evaluating unit via a cable connection.