Patent Application
20100076295
This invention pertains generally to an electrode set for a patient monitoring device such as, for example, an electrocardiograph.
An electrocardiograph is a device adapted to record the electrical activity of a patient's heart over time. The electrocardiograph includes one or more sensors or electrodes adapted for attachment to a patient and configured to sense electrical activity. The electrodes transmit electrical signals pertaining to the cardiac activity via a conductor such as a wire to a controller. The controller may generate a plot referred to as an electrocardiogram (ECG) based on the data from the electrodes.
One problem with conventional electrocardiograph devices is that the process of applying the electrodes is labor intensive. The electrodes generally must be placed with a high degree of precision on specific portions of the patient's anatomy. Therefore it can be both difficult and time consuming to ensure each electrode is properly positioned on the patient. Another problem with conventional electrocardiograph devices is that improperly positioned electrodes can cause a resultant ECG to become imprecise or misleading.
The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.
In an embodiment, an electrode set includes a base comprising an insulating material, and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the base. The electrodes comprise a generally exposed conductive material. The electrode set also includes a plurality of conductors disposed on the base. The conductors comprise a generally insulated conductive material, and are each connected to one of the electrodes. The electrodes are positioned on the base relative to each other so that they can be collectively placed on specific portions of a patient's anatomy.
In another embodiment, an electrocardiograph system includes a controller configured to monitor cardiac electrical activity, and an electrode set connected to the controller. The electrode set includes a base comprising an insulating material, and a plurality of electrocardiograph electrodes disposed on the base. The electrocardiograph electrodes comprise a generally exposed conductive material. The electrode set also includes a plurality of conductors disposed on the base. The conductors comprise a generally insulated conductive material, and are each connected to one of the electrocardiograph electrodes.
In yet another embodiment, a method includes providing a base composed of a first insulating material, securing a first conductive material to predefined regions of the base in order to define a plurality of electrodes, securing a second conductive material to predefined regions of the base in order to define a plurality of conductors, and securing a second insulating material to the plurality of conductors. The method also includes providing a controller connected to the plurality of conductors. The controller is configured to monitor cardiac electrical activity.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
Referring to
The electrocardiograph 10 includes a controller 12 and an electrode set 14. In the embodiment illustrated in
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the electrodes V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 must be placed with a high degree of precision on the specific portions of the patient's anatomy shown in
Referring to
The electrode set 14 includes a base 16, a plurality of sensors or electrodes RA, LA, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5s, V5m, V5l/V6s, V6m, V6l, RL and LL, a plurality of conductors 18, and a connector 20. The electrodes V5s, V5m, V5l/V6s, V6m, and V6l represent an optional electrode configuration wherein each electrode is adapted for use with a patient of a specific size in order to accommodate a variety of different patient sizes. More precisely, in order to maintain the electrode placement depicted in
Alternatively, the electrode configuration comprising electrodes V5s, V5m, V5l/V6s, V6m, and V6l may be replaced by a single V5 electrode (not shown) and a single V6 electrode (not shown). As an example, an electrode set 14 adapted to exclusively accommodate medium sized patients may comprise a single V5 electrode disposed at the position currently occupied by electrode V5m, and a single V6 electrode disposed at the position currently occupied by electrode V6m.
The base 16 may comprise a flexible or bendable insulating material such as polyimide, polyester, or polyethylene napthalate. For purposes of this disclosure, an insulating material refers to a dielectric or generally non-conducting material. The flexible nature of the base 16 allows it to more closely conform to the anatomy of a given patient. The electrodes RA, LA, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5s, V5m, V5l/V6s, V6m, V6l, RL and LL, and the connector 20 comprise an exposed conductive material that is printed or etched onto the base 16. As an example, the electrodes RA, LA, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5s, V5m, V5l/V6s, V6m, V6l, RL and LL, and the connector 20 may comprise high elongation copper, roll annealed copper, silver conductive ink, or any of a variety of different metal foils. The conductors 18 may comprise a conductive material printed or etched onto the base 16 that is subsequently covered by an insulating material.
The torso electrodes V1-V6l are printed on the base 16 at a relative position adapted to maintain the electrode placement depicted in
According to one embodiment, the electrode set 14 includes perforated section 30 disposed between electrodes RL and LL; perforated section 32 disposed between electrode RL and the electrodes V1-V6l; perforated section 34 disposed between electrode RA and the electrodes V1-V6l; and perforated section 36 disposed between electrodes RA and LA. The perforated sections 30-36 may be formed during the die-cutting process, and are configured to simplify the process of separating individual electrodes from the remainder of the electrode set 14. As an example, the electrode LL can be conveniently separated from the remainder of the electrode set 14 at the perforated section 30 in order to facilitate the application of the electrode LL at the patient's left ankle while the electrodes V1-V6l are applied to the patient's torso.
According to another embodiment, the electrode set 14 includes an electrode positioning feature 40 and an electrode alignment feature 42. The electrode positioning feature 40 comprises an aperture defined by the base 16, and which may be formed during the die-cutting operation. The electrode positioning feature 40 is located relative to the torso electrodes V1-V6l such that when the patient's sternum is visible through the electrode positioning feature 40, the torso electrodes V1-V6l will be properly positioned relative to the patient. The electrode alignment feature 42 comprises a generally straight line printed on the base 16. The electrode alignment feature 42 is oriented relative to the electrode positioning feature 40 and the torso electrodes V1-V6l such that when the electrode alignment feature 42 is substantially horizontally disposed relative to the patient, the torso electrodes V1-V6l are properly aligned relative to the patient. It should be appreciated that by both positioning and aligning the electrode set 14 in the manner described, the torso electrodes V1-V6l can be placed with a high degree of precision on the specific portions of the patient's anatomy shown in
Referring to
The conductive gel 44 provides a conductive medium between the surface of the patient's skin and the electrode RA in order to more accurately monitor a patient's cardiac electrical activity. The conductive gel 44 may also provide adhesion in order to retain the electrode RA after it has been applied. The conductive gel 44 can be applied directly onto the electrode RA as part of the electrode set 14 manufacturing process. The liner 46 is configured to protect the conductive gel 44 until the electrode RA is applied to a patient. The liner 46 is secured to the periphery of the electrode RA with adhesive such that the conductive gel 44 is disposed therebetween. The liner 46 may include a release tab 48 so that a user can conveniently separate the liner 46 from the electrode RA just before the electrode RA is applied to a patient. According to an alternate embodiment, a single large liner (not shown) may be implemented to protect multiple electrodes (e.g., the torso electrodes V1-V6l).
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
