CA1109126A - Devices for rapid placement and recording of ecg precordial leads in patients - Google Patents
Devices for rapid placement and recording of ecg precordial leads in patientsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1109126A CA1109126A CA290,437A CA290437A CA1109126A CA 1109126 A CA1109126 A CA 1109126A CA 290437 A CA290437 A CA 290437A CA 1109126 A CA1109126 A CA 1109126A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- chest
- patient
- strip
- precordial
- electrodes
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
- A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
- A61B5/683—Means for maintaining contact with the body
- A61B5/6831—Straps, bands or harnesses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
- A61B5/25—Bioelectric electrodes therefor
- A61B5/279—Bioelectric electrodes therefor specially adapted for particular uses
- A61B5/28—Bioelectric electrodes therefor specially adapted for particular uses for electrocardiography [ECG]
- A61B5/282—Holders for multiple electrodes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
- A61B2562/02—Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
- A61B2562/0209—Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053
- A61B2562/0217—Electrolyte containing
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Cardiology (AREA)
- Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)
- Prostheses (AREA)
- Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A novel and improved method and apparatus for rapidly applying electrocardiograph electrodes to a patient's body in clinically acceptable anatomic regions despite a wide range of chest sizes and configurations. The invention is directed to a chest piece for automatically locating the position of electrocardiograph electrodes on the chest of a patient comprising: a strip of stretchable, non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient undergoing electrocardiographic monitoring with the ends thereof in predetermined location relative to the chest of the patient; a plurality of electrodes carried by the strip in predetermined locations thereon, each of the electrodes being positioned for contacting a precordial anatomic position of the patient for electrocardiographic monitoring when positioned in a substantially unstretched condition on the chest of a first patient having a chest of relatively small size; and retaining means adapted for connection to the strip at opposite ends thereof for stretching the strip to locate the ends thereof in the predetermined positions relative to the chest of the patient to thereby increase the spacing between each of the electrodes to position them in the correct precordial anatomic positions for electrocardiographic moni-toring on a chest larger in size than the chest of the first patient.
A novel and improved method and apparatus for rapidly applying electrocardiograph electrodes to a patient's body in clinically acceptable anatomic regions despite a wide range of chest sizes and configurations. The invention is directed to a chest piece for automatically locating the position of electrocardiograph electrodes on the chest of a patient comprising: a strip of stretchable, non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient undergoing electrocardiographic monitoring with the ends thereof in predetermined location relative to the chest of the patient; a plurality of electrodes carried by the strip in predetermined locations thereon, each of the electrodes being positioned for contacting a precordial anatomic position of the patient for electrocardiographic monitoring when positioned in a substantially unstretched condition on the chest of a first patient having a chest of relatively small size; and retaining means adapted for connection to the strip at opposite ends thereof for stretching the strip to locate the ends thereof in the predetermined positions relative to the chest of the patient to thereby increase the spacing between each of the electrodes to position them in the correct precordial anatomic positions for electrocardiographic moni-toring on a chest larger in size than the chest of the first patient.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Electrocardiogram (ECG) has proven over the years to be the single most effective clinical record for the diagnosis of cardiac muscle and cardiac nervous conduction abnormalities.
An electrocardiogram is routinely taken not only on patients suspected of having cardiac disease, '~ut also on normal patients to establish base line cardiac data. Thus, millions of ~CG
tracings are recorded yearly in private physicians' offices and in hospitals. It is imperative that these tracings be reliable and also that they be obtained rapidly to minimize the cost.
Generally, the ECG is usually comprised of twelve distinct records (i.e., tracings) which are obtained from a combination of specific electrical signals obtained from the body of the patient. These signals result from the heart's electrical activity which is conducted throughout the body. The signals, ordinarily in the millivolt range, may be sensed by metal electrodes making electrical contact with the body by way of electrically conductive electrode paste. The signals are transmitted from the electrodes through cables to an electro-cardiograph or ECG recorder which includes amplifying circuity, a heat stylus writing mechanism and switching circuitry. The latter circuitry permits combining the signals ordinarily taken from ten different positions on a patient's body to obtain the twelve tracings ordinarily desired.
The twelve tracings, ordinarily adequate to obtain the heart's full spectrum of electrical data, are obtained from electrodes placed on the patient's four extremities and six electrodes carefully positioned on the precordium (i.e. the chest wall of the heart area). The latter six electrodes in the precordial positions are designated as Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6. In certain cases, other positions on the chest may %~
be chosen (e.g. V3R) so that the specific example using positio~s Vlto V6 is illustrative rather than limiting.
The usual practice is to apply the electrodes to the arms (LA, RA), legs (LL, RL) and procordium (Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5and V6), with the electrodes being of a clamp type, suction cup type or adhesive type~ Such electrodes must be applied one-at-a-time and, in the case of the precordial electrodes particularly, require careful placing at specific anatomical locations. Thus, the careful and time-consuming attention of a skilled nurse, technician or doctor is required.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a chest piece includes a strip of stretchable material, with apertures therein for receiving electrodes. When inserted in the apertures, the spacing between the electrodes and the pattern thereof correspond to the relative proportional spacing of precordial anatomic positions preferred for electrocardio-graph monitoring.
Advantageously, each electrode may be provided with flange portions for releasably mating with the edges of the apertures, whereby the strip or some or all of the electrodes may be replaced without replacement of the entire chest piece.
Each electrode may include a cup shaped member for containing electrolyte to be placed against the chest of the patient. Advantageously, the electrolyte may be introduced into the cup shaped member through the electrode. Alternative-ly, the electrolyte may be in the form of an electrically conductive gel pad.
The electrocardiograph electrode assembly may also inclu'de a retainer or holder means for engaging the ends of the stretchable strip and for stretching the strip a select-able amount to position and maintain the electrodes in contact with precordial anatomic positions on the chest of the patient.
Advantageously, the holder may be releasably attached to the chest piece, and may take the form of a member positioned behind the back of the patient or weights positioned along the sides of the chest of the patient.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide novel and improved method and apparatus for rapidly applying electrocardiograph electrodes to a patient's body in clinically acceptable anatomic regions despite a wide range of chest sizes a~d configurations.
THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a chest piece for establishing anatomically acceptable precordial elec-trode positions for connection to electrocardiograph apparatus;
Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a holder for securing the chest piece of Figure 1 to the chest of a patient;
Figure 4 is an enlarged pictorial view of one embodiment of a spring connector for use with the chest piece of Figure l;
Figure 5 is a pictorial view of the chest piece of Figure 1 secured to the chest of a patient by the holder of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the connection of the spring connector of Figure 4 to the chest piece of Figure l;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a chest piece;
Figure 8 is an exploded pictorial view of a second embodiment of a holder for use with the chest piece of Figure 7;
Figure 8A is a view of one embodiment of a connector wire for use with the chest piece o Figure 8;
$
Figure 9 is a pictorial view schematically illustrating the connections of the holder of Figure 8 to a ten terminal electrocardiograph recorder;
Figure 10 is a pictorial view schematically illustrating the connections of the holder of Figure 8 to a five terminal electrocardiograph recorder;
Figure 11 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of an adaptor for use with a five terminal electrocardiograph;
Figure 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of the adaptor Figure 13 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a chest piece;
Figure 14 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the electrode of the present invention;
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the electrode of Figure 14 taken along line 15-15;
Figure 16 is a pictorial view in partial section of a second embodiment of the electrode of the present invention;
Figure 17 is a pictorial view of the electrical connector of Figure 16;
Figure 18 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the holder of the present invention;
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 18 taken along line 19-19;
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 18 taken along line 18-18;
Figure 21 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the holder of the present invention;
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 21 taken along line 21-21;
Figure 23 is an elevation in partial section of a third embodiment of an electrocardiograph electrode assembly;
Figure 24 is a cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 22 taken along line 23-23;
Figure 25 is the cross-section of Figure 23 with a sleeve and pin type connector in place therein;
Figure 26 is the cross-section of Figure 23 showing the operation of a split sleeve and pin type connector;
Figure 27 is a pictorial view of another holder;
Figure 28 is a section taken along line 27-27 of Figure 26;
Figure 29 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the holder;
Fig~re 30 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of a weight for use in the embodiment of Figure 28; and Figure 31 is a pictorial view of an electrocardiograph electrode assembly with a frame member for overlying the chest of a patient.
DETAI~ED DESCRIPTION
As illustrated in Figure 1, a chest piece 22 may comprise a strip 24 of expandable or stretchable material such as rubber sheeting. Extending through the strip 24 are six spaced electrodes designed Vl, ~72' V3, V4, V5 and V6 in accordance with their positions. As best shown in the enlarged sectional view through the electrode V6 in Figur 2, each electrode may comprise a hollow metal sleeve or rivet member 26 estending through the strip with the outer end (away from the patient's skin) projecting beyond the adjacent surface of the strip at 26' to facilitate the attachment of leads as will be discussed below. At each end of the strip 24, three transversely spaced connector rings 28 are shown extending through the strip 24.
With reference to Figure 3, a holder 30 is preferably formed of rigid wood or plastic material or the like although it might in certain circumstances be of flexible fabric or other material. The holder may include hooks 32 at each end :
The Electrocardiogram (ECG) has proven over the years to be the single most effective clinical record for the diagnosis of cardiac muscle and cardiac nervous conduction abnormalities.
An electrocardiogram is routinely taken not only on patients suspected of having cardiac disease, '~ut also on normal patients to establish base line cardiac data. Thus, millions of ~CG
tracings are recorded yearly in private physicians' offices and in hospitals. It is imperative that these tracings be reliable and also that they be obtained rapidly to minimize the cost.
Generally, the ECG is usually comprised of twelve distinct records (i.e., tracings) which are obtained from a combination of specific electrical signals obtained from the body of the patient. These signals result from the heart's electrical activity which is conducted throughout the body. The signals, ordinarily in the millivolt range, may be sensed by metal electrodes making electrical contact with the body by way of electrically conductive electrode paste. The signals are transmitted from the electrodes through cables to an electro-cardiograph or ECG recorder which includes amplifying circuity, a heat stylus writing mechanism and switching circuitry. The latter circuitry permits combining the signals ordinarily taken from ten different positions on a patient's body to obtain the twelve tracings ordinarily desired.
The twelve tracings, ordinarily adequate to obtain the heart's full spectrum of electrical data, are obtained from electrodes placed on the patient's four extremities and six electrodes carefully positioned on the precordium (i.e. the chest wall of the heart area). The latter six electrodes in the precordial positions are designated as Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6. In certain cases, other positions on the chest may %~
be chosen (e.g. V3R) so that the specific example using positio~s Vlto V6 is illustrative rather than limiting.
The usual practice is to apply the electrodes to the arms (LA, RA), legs (LL, RL) and procordium (Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5and V6), with the electrodes being of a clamp type, suction cup type or adhesive type~ Such electrodes must be applied one-at-a-time and, in the case of the precordial electrodes particularly, require careful placing at specific anatomical locations. Thus, the careful and time-consuming attention of a skilled nurse, technician or doctor is required.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a chest piece includes a strip of stretchable material, with apertures therein for receiving electrodes. When inserted in the apertures, the spacing between the electrodes and the pattern thereof correspond to the relative proportional spacing of precordial anatomic positions preferred for electrocardio-graph monitoring.
Advantageously, each electrode may be provided with flange portions for releasably mating with the edges of the apertures, whereby the strip or some or all of the electrodes may be replaced without replacement of the entire chest piece.
Each electrode may include a cup shaped member for containing electrolyte to be placed against the chest of the patient. Advantageously, the electrolyte may be introduced into the cup shaped member through the electrode. Alternative-ly, the electrolyte may be in the form of an electrically conductive gel pad.
The electrocardiograph electrode assembly may also inclu'de a retainer or holder means for engaging the ends of the stretchable strip and for stretching the strip a select-able amount to position and maintain the electrodes in contact with precordial anatomic positions on the chest of the patient.
Advantageously, the holder may be releasably attached to the chest piece, and may take the form of a member positioned behind the back of the patient or weights positioned along the sides of the chest of the patient.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide novel and improved method and apparatus for rapidly applying electrocardiograph electrodes to a patient's body in clinically acceptable anatomic regions despite a wide range of chest sizes a~d configurations.
THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a chest piece for establishing anatomically acceptable precordial elec-trode positions for connection to electrocardiograph apparatus;
Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a holder for securing the chest piece of Figure 1 to the chest of a patient;
Figure 4 is an enlarged pictorial view of one embodiment of a spring connector for use with the chest piece of Figure l;
Figure 5 is a pictorial view of the chest piece of Figure 1 secured to the chest of a patient by the holder of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the connection of the spring connector of Figure 4 to the chest piece of Figure l;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a chest piece;
Figure 8 is an exploded pictorial view of a second embodiment of a holder for use with the chest piece of Figure 7;
Figure 8A is a view of one embodiment of a connector wire for use with the chest piece o Figure 8;
$
Figure 9 is a pictorial view schematically illustrating the connections of the holder of Figure 8 to a ten terminal electrocardiograph recorder;
Figure 10 is a pictorial view schematically illustrating the connections of the holder of Figure 8 to a five terminal electrocardiograph recorder;
Figure 11 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of an adaptor for use with a five terminal electrocardiograph;
Figure 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of the adaptor Figure 13 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a chest piece;
Figure 14 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the electrode of the present invention;
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the electrode of Figure 14 taken along line 15-15;
Figure 16 is a pictorial view in partial section of a second embodiment of the electrode of the present invention;
Figure 17 is a pictorial view of the electrical connector of Figure 16;
Figure 18 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the holder of the present invention;
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 18 taken along line 19-19;
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 18 taken along line 18-18;
Figure 21 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the holder of the present invention;
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 21 taken along line 21-21;
Figure 23 is an elevation in partial section of a third embodiment of an electrocardiograph electrode assembly;
Figure 24 is a cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 22 taken along line 23-23;
Figure 25 is the cross-section of Figure 23 with a sleeve and pin type connector in place therein;
Figure 26 is the cross-section of Figure 23 showing the operation of a split sleeve and pin type connector;
Figure 27 is a pictorial view of another holder;
Figure 28 is a section taken along line 27-27 of Figure 26;
Figure 29 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the holder;
Fig~re 30 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of a weight for use in the embodiment of Figure 28; and Figure 31 is a pictorial view of an electrocardiograph electrode assembly with a frame member for overlying the chest of a patient.
DETAI~ED DESCRIPTION
As illustrated in Figure 1, a chest piece 22 may comprise a strip 24 of expandable or stretchable material such as rubber sheeting. Extending through the strip 24 are six spaced electrodes designed Vl, ~72' V3, V4, V5 and V6 in accordance with their positions. As best shown in the enlarged sectional view through the electrode V6 in Figur 2, each electrode may comprise a hollow metal sleeve or rivet member 26 estending through the strip with the outer end (away from the patient's skin) projecting beyond the adjacent surface of the strip at 26' to facilitate the attachment of leads as will be discussed below. At each end of the strip 24, three transversely spaced connector rings 28 are shown extending through the strip 24.
With reference to Figure 3, a holder 30 is preferably formed of rigid wood or plastic material or the like although it might in certain circumstances be of flexible fabric or other material. The holder may include hooks 32 at each end :
2~
corresponding in number and spacing to the connector rings of the chest piece of Figure 1. The holder 30 extends around the back of the patient so tha~ the hooks 32 thereon may engage the connector rings 28 of the chest piece to hold the lattex in place across the chest of the patient as shown in Figure 5.
A significant feature of the constru¢tion thus far de-scribed is the disposition or locatlon of the electrodes Vl to V6 on the chest of the patient. With the strip 24 of the chest piece in an unstretched condition, these electrodes are spaced suitably for engagement with the correct anatomic contact areas for the precordial electrodes usually designated Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 on a chest of small size such as that o~ a ten year old child. To facilitate positioning on the patient, the strip of the chest piece may be provided with a vertical line or mark 34 indicating the location for the mid-chest or mid-sternum line and a horizontal mark 36 indicating the location of the mid-nipple line. Thus, the vertical line is midway between the electrodes Vl and V2 and the horizontal line is in alignment with these electrodes.
With thè basic pattern for the electrodes based on the measurements of a small chest as stated, the electrodes can be made to automatically assume the correct anatomic location on a larger chest by stretching the stretchable strip 24 the appropriate amount in securing it to the patent. This is readily accomplished by employing holders 30 of different sizes, or with multiple hook locations, for securing the chest piece in place on different size chests. Alternatively, elastic strips of different flexibility might be used as a holder.
Figure ~ shows a conductor 38 including a U-shaped spring connector 40 for engaging electrodes 26 at the afore-mentioned projecting portion 26' as shown in Figure 6. The : ~ .
hollow construction of electrodes 26 permits the introduction of conductive electrode paste from the outside of the passage therethrough to the other end which contacts the skin of the patient so as to provide a low-resistance contact between the electrode and the patient's skin. The other end or the con-ductor 38 may be provided with a spring wire adaptor 42 or other suitable conventional connector for receiving a metal pin connector at the end of a lead wire of the patient cable of an electrocardiograph recorder. A single conductor 38 may be moved from one electrode Vl to V6 to another or conductors may be connected to all the electrodes simultaneously for operation through an adaptor unit such as is hereinafter described in connection with Figures 11 and 12.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate, respectively, another chest piece and a holder. With reference to Figure 7, the chest piece includes a strip 122 of stretchable material similar to the strip 24 of Figure 1 and is provided with electrodes 126 spaced therein in accordance with the appropriate precordial anatomic positions Vl, V2, V3, V4 t V5 and V6 for a patient having a small chest. Also, like the chest piece of Figure 1, the chest piece of Figure 7 is stretchable across the chest of a larger patient to automatically adjust the spacing of the electrodes 126 to cause them to engage the corresponding precordial anatomic positions for persons having larger chests.
Three connecting rings 128L and 128R are shown secured at the left and right ends, respectively, of the strip 122 for engagement by hooks on corresponding positions on a holder member to be described in connection with Figure 8.
The chest piece 122 includes electrical conductors 130 individually making electrical connection between the six metal electrodes 126 and the end connectors 128L and 128R. In Figure 7, the electrodes at precordial positions Vl, V2 and V3 are .:
shown connected by the conductors 130 to the connector rings 128R for the patient's right side, which rings are labelled Vl, V2 and V3, respectively. Similarly, the electrodes at positions V4, V5 and V6 are connected, respectively, to the connector rings 128L on the patient's left side designated V4, V5 and V6. The electrical conductors 130 interconnecting the electrodes and connector rings are preerably embedded in the stretchable or elastic strip 122, although they may be disposed on the surface of the strip opposite the surface which contacts the patient's skin. It is also preferred that the conductors be made flexible, as by employing a slight helical or curved configuration, so that they may accommodate to the changes in spasing of the interconnected electrodes and connector rings when the chest piece is stretched to the different lengths necessary for use in patients having chests of different sizes.
The electrodes 126 may be hollow sleeve members extending through the chest piece strip similarly to the electrodes 26 of Figures 1 and 2, whereby electrically conductive electrode paste can be conveniently introduced into them from the outside after the chest piece is installed to obtain a low-resistance contact with the patient's body. Because of the internal electrical connections to the connector rings, the electrodes 126 do not necessarily require outwardly projecting portions such as are shown at 26' in Figure 2.
Figure 8 shows a holder for location at the back of a patient to hold the chest piece in an adjustable position according to the size and conformation of his chest and facilitate making the necessary electrical connection to electrocardiograph recorder equipment.
The holder includes a holder base plate 142, preferably of rigid plastic material including an outwardly projecting longitudinal bar 144 having downwardly and inwardly extending bevelled sides 146. Longitudinal bar members 148R and 148L
have bottom slots 150 making a sliding fit over the longitudinal bar 144 and further include transverse upper slots 152 with upwardly converging, bevelled.edges 154. Transverse bar members 156R and 156L are provided with corresponding projec-tions 158 fitting into the slots 152 for transverse sliding adjustment therein.
Bar 156R includes three metal hooks 160R, designed Vl, V2 and V3, each connected to one of the wires in a five-wire cable 162P~. Also two pin jacks RA (right arm) and RL
(right leg) are disposed on bar 156R and connected to the other two wires of five-wire cable 162R. In like manner, bar 156L
includes three hooks, designated V4, V5 and V6 and two pin jacks LA (left arm) and LL (left leg) connected individually to five wires in five-wire cables 162L. The remote ends of five-wire cables 162R and 162L extend into a terminal or connector block 164 of non-conductive material with the ten wires of the cables terminating in ten binding posts 166.
The construction of the holder is su¢h that the engage-ment of the slots 150 of bars 148R and 148L with the base plate 142 and the engagement of the slots in the bars 148R
and 148L with the projections on the transverse bars 156R and 156L is loose or frictionless to provide free movement or the chest piece pulls the sliding bars of the holder together until they touch the sides of the chest. The adjustable bars will hold their adjusted positions with the chest piece 122 stretched the desired amount and in the desired transverse position through the pull of the chest piece.
In use, bars 148R and 148L are assembled on bar 144 with their slots 150 in longitudinally adjustable engagement with longitudinal bar 144. Also proiections 158 on transverse bars 156R and 156L are fitted into transverse slots 1~2 in bars 148R and 148L, respectively, for slidable transverse adjust-ment therein. The chest piece is placed over the chest of the patient and the holder under the back of the patient. The connector rings 128R and 128L are engaged with hooks 160R and 160L, respectively. With the aid of the mid-sternum and mid-nipple lines 134 and 136 on the chest piece 122, the blocks 148R and 148L and 156R and 156L are slidablY adjusted to so stretch the flexible or stretchable strip of the chest piece as to locate the respective electrodes 126 at the correct percordial anatomic positions corresponding to Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 for the particular chest size of the patient~
Figure 8A illustrates a connector wire 168 for use in connecting the pin jacks RA, RL, LA and LL to the extremities of the patient. One end of a wire 170 terminates in a miniature plug 171 for engagement with the aforementioned pin jacks while the other end is provided with a standard ECG plug 172 for engagement with extremity electrodes which may be of convention-al type.
With the chest piece and holder assembled on the patient as described, and the pin jacks RA, RL, LA and LL connected through wire correctors 168 to extremith electrodes on the right arm, right leg, left arm and left leg, respectively, the binding posts 166 of the connector block 164 for the holder will provide connections to each of the four extremity positions and each of the six usual precordial positions.
Figure 9 shows schematically the electrical connections of the form of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 to a ten-texminal electrocardiograph conductor. Thus, the five-wire leads 162R and 162L from the holdex 1~0 are connected to the terminal block 164 and the ten binding posts 166 from the block are connected by a ten conductor cable 174 to the -electrocardiograph 176. When the chest piece and holder of Figures 7 and 8 are used with a five-terminal electrocardio-graph recorder, the electrical connections are made as shown in Figure 10.
Figures 11 and 12 show the adaptor as including five out-put conductors extending to the five terminal, single V channel electrocardiograph recorder. Four of these conductors extend directly through the adaptor to the four extremity conductors FL, LL, RA and RL while the fifth conductor is the V channel conductor which may selectively be connected to each of the p~ecordial leads Vl to V6. A manually controlled selector 184 is movable rrom a zero position 0 through connections to the leads Vl and V6.
As illustrated in Figure 13, a chest piece 22 may comprise a strip 24 of expandable or stretchable material such as rubber sheeting. Extending through the strip 24 are six spaced electrodes 226 designated Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 in accordance with their positions~ The electrodes will be described in greater detail in connection with Figures 14 and 15. The electrodes are adapted to receive an electrolyte through apertures 228, which, when the chest piece is disposed on the patient, open outwardly from the chest of the patient.
Terminal members 230, which may be rotatably mounted to the electrode, are adapted to receive a cable plug from the electrocardiograph machine.
As shown in Figure 13, the chest piece 22 may include strip end members 232. Advantageously, the strip end members 232 may be detachably coupled to the stretchable strip 24 by means of snap fasteners 234. The strip end members may carry, for example, a buckle catch (not shown) or similar de~ice for releasably engaging the holders or retainers hereinafter described. Since both the strip end members and electrodes ~
are readily detachable from the stretchable strip, some or all of the electrodes, and the strip end members can be replaced, permitting the remaining components to be reused.
With continued reference to Figure 13, the strip 22 may include a number of "stays" 236 similar to collar stays. These stays are useful in reducing the reduction in the width of the strip as it is stretched lengthwise across the chest of a patient. They may be attached by any suitable conventional means such as pressure sensitive adhesive.
Referring now to Figures 14 and 15 where the electrode 226 of Figure 13 is illustrated in greater detail, the electrode may include a hollow tubular member 240 made of electrically conductive material and terminate circular bell-shaped flange portions 242. A pair of circular flanges 244 carried by the tubular member 240 may together form an annular slot 246 configured and dimensioned to engage the edge portions of an aperture in the sheeting material 22 to releasably maintain the electrode 226.
A terminal 248 may be rotatably mounted on the tubular member 240 and may be configured and dimensioned to receive and frictionally engage a banana cable plug 250 connected to an input terminal of a conventional electrocardiograph machine.
A thumb screw 252 may be provided to insure an electrical connection with any electrical lead from an electrocardiograph machine.
In operation, the bell or cup shaped portion 24~ may be held against the chest of a patient by the stretch of the sheet 22 across the chest of the patient. An electrolyte paste may then be inserted through the top of the tubular member 240 to contact the chest of the patent. The terminal 248 may, if rotatable, be positoned to any convenient orienta-tion and may include a spring biased alligator clip or other suitable electrical connecting means in lieu of the aperture and thumb screw illustrated.
An alternate to the electrode 226 of Figures 14 and 15 is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 where the electrode is maintained in place in an aperature in the sheet 22 by a single flange 252 and the bell or cup shaped terminator 254 of the tubular member 56.
As shown in Figure 17, the connector 64 may be a flat metal sheet rolled at one end to form a split sleeve for insertion into the tubular member 256 to be there retained by the spring action of the sleeve. The other end of the con-nector 264 may be formed into two split sleeves 266 and 268 of different dimaeters to facilitate the insertion of banana plugs of different sizes.
A holder for a chest piece such as that described in connection with Figure 13 is illustrated in Figure 18. With reference to Figure 18, the chest piece 269 may include strip end members 270, formed with buckle catches 272 for insertion into their respective buckle members 274 to thereby engage the ends of the chest piece 269 with the holder 268. The holder 68 may include a first belt 76 threaded in a first direction through a base member 78, and a second belt 80 threaded in the opposite direction through the base member 78.
Ad~antageously, the buckle members 274 and belts 280 and 282 may be attached to the base member 278 in the manner depicted in Figure 19, where one end 284 of the belt may be anchored to the base member 278. The belt may then be disposed about a roller 286 within the buckle member 274 and be threaded through an elongated channel 288 in the base member. In order to tighten the chest piece 269, the end 282 of the belt may be pulled to draw the buckle member 274 toward the anchored belt end 284 to be maintained in position vis-a-vis the belt by '$
frictional engagement between the buckle member, the belt, and the roller 286.
Referring now to Figures 21 and 22, the holder 300 may include a first belt 302 threaded through a channel in base member 304. One end of the belt 302 may be provided with a snap coupling 306 adapted for releasably engaging the strip end piece 308 of the chest piece 310. A second strip end piece 312 of the chest piece 310 may be formed with a buckle catch 314. The buckle catch may be releasably engaged by the buckle member 316 carried by a second belt 318. The second belt may engage a roller 320 which redirects the second belt 318 so that a portion thereof is nearly parallel to a portion of the first belt 302. The ends of the first and second belts may be joined to facilitate stretching of the chest piece across the chest of the patient.
In operation, the h~lder 300 may be disposed behind the patient prior to electrocardiograph monitoring. The strip end member 308 may be engaged to the snap fastener 306 of the belt 302. The chest piece 310 may be placed about the chest of the patient and loosely secured in position by buckling the buckle catch 314 with the buckle member 316. The electrodes may be positioned and maintained in contact with the precordial anatomic positions on the chest by pulling on the joined ends of the belts 302 and 318 in the direction of the arrow 324.
A quick release seat belt type locking mechanism 326 may be provided to permit movement of the belts 302 and 318 only in the approximate direction of the arrow 324. However, the belts may be quickly released.
A third embodiment of an electrode is illustrated in Figure 23 where the body of the electrode is provided with a single generally circular flange 350 radially outwardly extending from a tubular upper portion 352. A cup shaped lower portion 354 cooperates with the flange 350 to prevent the slippa~e of the electrode fro~ the stretchable strip 22.
The body of the electrode may be of non-conducting material which is desirably resilient to a minor degree. The upper portion is also provided with one or more lateral bores 356 having a portion common with the axial bore 358 as is illustrated more clearly in Figures 24-26.
As shown in Figure 23 and Figure 25, a sleeve 360 of electrically conductive material may be inserted into the bore 358 of-the non-conductive body of the electrode, the sleeve 360 extending from a point along the uppermost lateral bore to a point just above the bottom of the cup shaped portion of the electrode.
As is illustrated in Figure 25, a lead of an ECG machine may terminate in an electrically conductive pin 362 adapted for insertion into the lateral bore 356 to be removably held in pressural engagement with the sleeve 360 by the physical configuration of the bores 356 and 358 and/or the resiliency of the material of the electrode body.
A fourth embodiment of an electrode is illustrated in Figures 27 and 28, where the body 370 is desirably molded out of a plastic material into a generally tubular configuration.
As shown in the figures, an electrically conductive thin-walled tube 372 extends substantially the length of the body 370 and may terminate in a bell shaped portion in contact with the skin. The lower end of the body is generally in the shape of a truncated cone to form a cavity 374 for electrolyte introduced into the upper end of the tube 372.
The sides of the body 370 are desirably formed to provide notches 376 and 378 at different heights from the bottom of the body. When the present invention is utilized on women with large breasts, greater extension of the electrodes beneath the belt it required for good electrical contact in the V2 and V6 positions. Notch 378 is desirably used in such circumstances.
As also shown in the drawings, two lateral apertures 380 and 382 are provided into which the tube 372 extends.
These apertures 380 and 382 are desirably o~ different sizes to accommodate bayonet or banana plugs of differing sizes.
The body 370 of the electrode is desirably split into the apertures 380 and 382 to provide a resilient spring action in holding the plug from the electrocardiograph machine into pressural engagement and thus good electrical contact with the tube 372.
It is important to note that the tube 372 may extend upwardly from the top of the body 370 so that a suction cup (not shown) of a conventional type may be attached for use in creating a suctional attachment of the electrode to the patient.
- Figure 29 is a pictorial view of an electrocardiograph electrode assembly including means for applying a downward force to ends of an elastic chest piece such as that described in connection with Figure 13. The chest piece 330 of Figure 29 may be stretched to place the electrodes in contact with the proper precordial anatomic positions on the chest of a reclin-ing patient by placing the chest piece 330 on the chest of the patient and disposing weights 332 on either side of the patient to exert a downward force on ends 334 of the chest piece.
The weights may take any desired form but it has been found advantageous for comfort and safety to use a "bean bag"
weight such as illustrated in Figure 30. With reference to Figure 30, the weight may include a fabric bag 336 of particu- ;
late material such as dried beans or the like connected by any suitable conventional means such as the illustrated fastener 338 to a rigid retainer 139 to which the free ends of the chest piece might be buckled.
The embodiment of Figure 29 is particularly desirable where movement of the patient to place some retaining means behind his chest may result in injury or discomfort. Another embodiment not requiring movement of the patient is illus-trated in Figure 31 where the buckle 340 includes arcuate members 342 for bridging the chest of the patient. A surface 344 may be provided on either side of the chest of the patient for receiving weights sufficient to stretch the chest piece 346. The chest piece 346 may be releasably engaged to the retainer 340 by snap fasteners 348.
The electrodes of the present invention may be configured with notches on two of four sides and be smooth on the other two sides to facilitate retaining of the electrodes in a canted position by an aperture in the belt. This may be particularly desirable for the Vl, V2 and V6 positions on certain type chests.
In lieu of a liquid or paste electrolyte, gel pads may be used. These may be held to the electrodes by suction prior to placing the belt on the chest after which a new suction may be drawn through the gel pad to the chest.
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a number of features which increase the ease and speed with which electrocardiograms can be made and at the same time decrease the chance of errors and reduce the cost. The stretchable chest piece provides a means for rapidly and repeatedly locating the precordial electrodes at the correct anatomic position on a patient's chest. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
.
corresponding in number and spacing to the connector rings of the chest piece of Figure 1. The holder 30 extends around the back of the patient so tha~ the hooks 32 thereon may engage the connector rings 28 of the chest piece to hold the lattex in place across the chest of the patient as shown in Figure 5.
A significant feature of the constru¢tion thus far de-scribed is the disposition or locatlon of the electrodes Vl to V6 on the chest of the patient. With the strip 24 of the chest piece in an unstretched condition, these electrodes are spaced suitably for engagement with the correct anatomic contact areas for the precordial electrodes usually designated Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 on a chest of small size such as that o~ a ten year old child. To facilitate positioning on the patient, the strip of the chest piece may be provided with a vertical line or mark 34 indicating the location for the mid-chest or mid-sternum line and a horizontal mark 36 indicating the location of the mid-nipple line. Thus, the vertical line is midway between the electrodes Vl and V2 and the horizontal line is in alignment with these electrodes.
With thè basic pattern for the electrodes based on the measurements of a small chest as stated, the electrodes can be made to automatically assume the correct anatomic location on a larger chest by stretching the stretchable strip 24 the appropriate amount in securing it to the patent. This is readily accomplished by employing holders 30 of different sizes, or with multiple hook locations, for securing the chest piece in place on different size chests. Alternatively, elastic strips of different flexibility might be used as a holder.
Figure ~ shows a conductor 38 including a U-shaped spring connector 40 for engaging electrodes 26 at the afore-mentioned projecting portion 26' as shown in Figure 6. The : ~ .
hollow construction of electrodes 26 permits the introduction of conductive electrode paste from the outside of the passage therethrough to the other end which contacts the skin of the patient so as to provide a low-resistance contact between the electrode and the patient's skin. The other end or the con-ductor 38 may be provided with a spring wire adaptor 42 or other suitable conventional connector for receiving a metal pin connector at the end of a lead wire of the patient cable of an electrocardiograph recorder. A single conductor 38 may be moved from one electrode Vl to V6 to another or conductors may be connected to all the electrodes simultaneously for operation through an adaptor unit such as is hereinafter described in connection with Figures 11 and 12.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate, respectively, another chest piece and a holder. With reference to Figure 7, the chest piece includes a strip 122 of stretchable material similar to the strip 24 of Figure 1 and is provided with electrodes 126 spaced therein in accordance with the appropriate precordial anatomic positions Vl, V2, V3, V4 t V5 and V6 for a patient having a small chest. Also, like the chest piece of Figure 1, the chest piece of Figure 7 is stretchable across the chest of a larger patient to automatically adjust the spacing of the electrodes 126 to cause them to engage the corresponding precordial anatomic positions for persons having larger chests.
Three connecting rings 128L and 128R are shown secured at the left and right ends, respectively, of the strip 122 for engagement by hooks on corresponding positions on a holder member to be described in connection with Figure 8.
The chest piece 122 includes electrical conductors 130 individually making electrical connection between the six metal electrodes 126 and the end connectors 128L and 128R. In Figure 7, the electrodes at precordial positions Vl, V2 and V3 are .:
shown connected by the conductors 130 to the connector rings 128R for the patient's right side, which rings are labelled Vl, V2 and V3, respectively. Similarly, the electrodes at positions V4, V5 and V6 are connected, respectively, to the connector rings 128L on the patient's left side designated V4, V5 and V6. The electrical conductors 130 interconnecting the electrodes and connector rings are preerably embedded in the stretchable or elastic strip 122, although they may be disposed on the surface of the strip opposite the surface which contacts the patient's skin. It is also preferred that the conductors be made flexible, as by employing a slight helical or curved configuration, so that they may accommodate to the changes in spasing of the interconnected electrodes and connector rings when the chest piece is stretched to the different lengths necessary for use in patients having chests of different sizes.
The electrodes 126 may be hollow sleeve members extending through the chest piece strip similarly to the electrodes 26 of Figures 1 and 2, whereby electrically conductive electrode paste can be conveniently introduced into them from the outside after the chest piece is installed to obtain a low-resistance contact with the patient's body. Because of the internal electrical connections to the connector rings, the electrodes 126 do not necessarily require outwardly projecting portions such as are shown at 26' in Figure 2.
Figure 8 shows a holder for location at the back of a patient to hold the chest piece in an adjustable position according to the size and conformation of his chest and facilitate making the necessary electrical connection to electrocardiograph recorder equipment.
The holder includes a holder base plate 142, preferably of rigid plastic material including an outwardly projecting longitudinal bar 144 having downwardly and inwardly extending bevelled sides 146. Longitudinal bar members 148R and 148L
have bottom slots 150 making a sliding fit over the longitudinal bar 144 and further include transverse upper slots 152 with upwardly converging, bevelled.edges 154. Transverse bar members 156R and 156L are provided with corresponding projec-tions 158 fitting into the slots 152 for transverse sliding adjustment therein.
Bar 156R includes three metal hooks 160R, designed Vl, V2 and V3, each connected to one of the wires in a five-wire cable 162P~. Also two pin jacks RA (right arm) and RL
(right leg) are disposed on bar 156R and connected to the other two wires of five-wire cable 162R. In like manner, bar 156L
includes three hooks, designated V4, V5 and V6 and two pin jacks LA (left arm) and LL (left leg) connected individually to five wires in five-wire cables 162L. The remote ends of five-wire cables 162R and 162L extend into a terminal or connector block 164 of non-conductive material with the ten wires of the cables terminating in ten binding posts 166.
The construction of the holder is su¢h that the engage-ment of the slots 150 of bars 148R and 148L with the base plate 142 and the engagement of the slots in the bars 148R
and 148L with the projections on the transverse bars 156R and 156L is loose or frictionless to provide free movement or the chest piece pulls the sliding bars of the holder together until they touch the sides of the chest. The adjustable bars will hold their adjusted positions with the chest piece 122 stretched the desired amount and in the desired transverse position through the pull of the chest piece.
In use, bars 148R and 148L are assembled on bar 144 with their slots 150 in longitudinally adjustable engagement with longitudinal bar 144. Also proiections 158 on transverse bars 156R and 156L are fitted into transverse slots 1~2 in bars 148R and 148L, respectively, for slidable transverse adjust-ment therein. The chest piece is placed over the chest of the patient and the holder under the back of the patient. The connector rings 128R and 128L are engaged with hooks 160R and 160L, respectively. With the aid of the mid-sternum and mid-nipple lines 134 and 136 on the chest piece 122, the blocks 148R and 148L and 156R and 156L are slidablY adjusted to so stretch the flexible or stretchable strip of the chest piece as to locate the respective electrodes 126 at the correct percordial anatomic positions corresponding to Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 for the particular chest size of the patient~
Figure 8A illustrates a connector wire 168 for use in connecting the pin jacks RA, RL, LA and LL to the extremities of the patient. One end of a wire 170 terminates in a miniature plug 171 for engagement with the aforementioned pin jacks while the other end is provided with a standard ECG plug 172 for engagement with extremity electrodes which may be of convention-al type.
With the chest piece and holder assembled on the patient as described, and the pin jacks RA, RL, LA and LL connected through wire correctors 168 to extremith electrodes on the right arm, right leg, left arm and left leg, respectively, the binding posts 166 of the connector block 164 for the holder will provide connections to each of the four extremity positions and each of the six usual precordial positions.
Figure 9 shows schematically the electrical connections of the form of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 to a ten-texminal electrocardiograph conductor. Thus, the five-wire leads 162R and 162L from the holdex 1~0 are connected to the terminal block 164 and the ten binding posts 166 from the block are connected by a ten conductor cable 174 to the -electrocardiograph 176. When the chest piece and holder of Figures 7 and 8 are used with a five-terminal electrocardio-graph recorder, the electrical connections are made as shown in Figure 10.
Figures 11 and 12 show the adaptor as including five out-put conductors extending to the five terminal, single V channel electrocardiograph recorder. Four of these conductors extend directly through the adaptor to the four extremity conductors FL, LL, RA and RL while the fifth conductor is the V channel conductor which may selectively be connected to each of the p~ecordial leads Vl to V6. A manually controlled selector 184 is movable rrom a zero position 0 through connections to the leads Vl and V6.
As illustrated in Figure 13, a chest piece 22 may comprise a strip 24 of expandable or stretchable material such as rubber sheeting. Extending through the strip 24 are six spaced electrodes 226 designated Vl, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 in accordance with their positions~ The electrodes will be described in greater detail in connection with Figures 14 and 15. The electrodes are adapted to receive an electrolyte through apertures 228, which, when the chest piece is disposed on the patient, open outwardly from the chest of the patient.
Terminal members 230, which may be rotatably mounted to the electrode, are adapted to receive a cable plug from the electrocardiograph machine.
As shown in Figure 13, the chest piece 22 may include strip end members 232. Advantageously, the strip end members 232 may be detachably coupled to the stretchable strip 24 by means of snap fasteners 234. The strip end members may carry, for example, a buckle catch (not shown) or similar de~ice for releasably engaging the holders or retainers hereinafter described. Since both the strip end members and electrodes ~
are readily detachable from the stretchable strip, some or all of the electrodes, and the strip end members can be replaced, permitting the remaining components to be reused.
With continued reference to Figure 13, the strip 22 may include a number of "stays" 236 similar to collar stays. These stays are useful in reducing the reduction in the width of the strip as it is stretched lengthwise across the chest of a patient. They may be attached by any suitable conventional means such as pressure sensitive adhesive.
Referring now to Figures 14 and 15 where the electrode 226 of Figure 13 is illustrated in greater detail, the electrode may include a hollow tubular member 240 made of electrically conductive material and terminate circular bell-shaped flange portions 242. A pair of circular flanges 244 carried by the tubular member 240 may together form an annular slot 246 configured and dimensioned to engage the edge portions of an aperture in the sheeting material 22 to releasably maintain the electrode 226.
A terminal 248 may be rotatably mounted on the tubular member 240 and may be configured and dimensioned to receive and frictionally engage a banana cable plug 250 connected to an input terminal of a conventional electrocardiograph machine.
A thumb screw 252 may be provided to insure an electrical connection with any electrical lead from an electrocardiograph machine.
In operation, the bell or cup shaped portion 24~ may be held against the chest of a patient by the stretch of the sheet 22 across the chest of the patient. An electrolyte paste may then be inserted through the top of the tubular member 240 to contact the chest of the patent. The terminal 248 may, if rotatable, be positoned to any convenient orienta-tion and may include a spring biased alligator clip or other suitable electrical connecting means in lieu of the aperture and thumb screw illustrated.
An alternate to the electrode 226 of Figures 14 and 15 is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 where the electrode is maintained in place in an aperature in the sheet 22 by a single flange 252 and the bell or cup shaped terminator 254 of the tubular member 56.
As shown in Figure 17, the connector 64 may be a flat metal sheet rolled at one end to form a split sleeve for insertion into the tubular member 256 to be there retained by the spring action of the sleeve. The other end of the con-nector 264 may be formed into two split sleeves 266 and 268 of different dimaeters to facilitate the insertion of banana plugs of different sizes.
A holder for a chest piece such as that described in connection with Figure 13 is illustrated in Figure 18. With reference to Figure 18, the chest piece 269 may include strip end members 270, formed with buckle catches 272 for insertion into their respective buckle members 274 to thereby engage the ends of the chest piece 269 with the holder 268. The holder 68 may include a first belt 76 threaded in a first direction through a base member 78, and a second belt 80 threaded in the opposite direction through the base member 78.
Ad~antageously, the buckle members 274 and belts 280 and 282 may be attached to the base member 278 in the manner depicted in Figure 19, where one end 284 of the belt may be anchored to the base member 278. The belt may then be disposed about a roller 286 within the buckle member 274 and be threaded through an elongated channel 288 in the base member. In order to tighten the chest piece 269, the end 282 of the belt may be pulled to draw the buckle member 274 toward the anchored belt end 284 to be maintained in position vis-a-vis the belt by '$
frictional engagement between the buckle member, the belt, and the roller 286.
Referring now to Figures 21 and 22, the holder 300 may include a first belt 302 threaded through a channel in base member 304. One end of the belt 302 may be provided with a snap coupling 306 adapted for releasably engaging the strip end piece 308 of the chest piece 310. A second strip end piece 312 of the chest piece 310 may be formed with a buckle catch 314. The buckle catch may be releasably engaged by the buckle member 316 carried by a second belt 318. The second belt may engage a roller 320 which redirects the second belt 318 so that a portion thereof is nearly parallel to a portion of the first belt 302. The ends of the first and second belts may be joined to facilitate stretching of the chest piece across the chest of the patient.
In operation, the h~lder 300 may be disposed behind the patient prior to electrocardiograph monitoring. The strip end member 308 may be engaged to the snap fastener 306 of the belt 302. The chest piece 310 may be placed about the chest of the patient and loosely secured in position by buckling the buckle catch 314 with the buckle member 316. The electrodes may be positioned and maintained in contact with the precordial anatomic positions on the chest by pulling on the joined ends of the belts 302 and 318 in the direction of the arrow 324.
A quick release seat belt type locking mechanism 326 may be provided to permit movement of the belts 302 and 318 only in the approximate direction of the arrow 324. However, the belts may be quickly released.
A third embodiment of an electrode is illustrated in Figure 23 where the body of the electrode is provided with a single generally circular flange 350 radially outwardly extending from a tubular upper portion 352. A cup shaped lower portion 354 cooperates with the flange 350 to prevent the slippa~e of the electrode fro~ the stretchable strip 22.
The body of the electrode may be of non-conducting material which is desirably resilient to a minor degree. The upper portion is also provided with one or more lateral bores 356 having a portion common with the axial bore 358 as is illustrated more clearly in Figures 24-26.
As shown in Figure 23 and Figure 25, a sleeve 360 of electrically conductive material may be inserted into the bore 358 of-the non-conductive body of the electrode, the sleeve 360 extending from a point along the uppermost lateral bore to a point just above the bottom of the cup shaped portion of the electrode.
As is illustrated in Figure 25, a lead of an ECG machine may terminate in an electrically conductive pin 362 adapted for insertion into the lateral bore 356 to be removably held in pressural engagement with the sleeve 360 by the physical configuration of the bores 356 and 358 and/or the resiliency of the material of the electrode body.
A fourth embodiment of an electrode is illustrated in Figures 27 and 28, where the body 370 is desirably molded out of a plastic material into a generally tubular configuration.
As shown in the figures, an electrically conductive thin-walled tube 372 extends substantially the length of the body 370 and may terminate in a bell shaped portion in contact with the skin. The lower end of the body is generally in the shape of a truncated cone to form a cavity 374 for electrolyte introduced into the upper end of the tube 372.
The sides of the body 370 are desirably formed to provide notches 376 and 378 at different heights from the bottom of the body. When the present invention is utilized on women with large breasts, greater extension of the electrodes beneath the belt it required for good electrical contact in the V2 and V6 positions. Notch 378 is desirably used in such circumstances.
As also shown in the drawings, two lateral apertures 380 and 382 are provided into which the tube 372 extends.
These apertures 380 and 382 are desirably o~ different sizes to accommodate bayonet or banana plugs of differing sizes.
The body 370 of the electrode is desirably split into the apertures 380 and 382 to provide a resilient spring action in holding the plug from the electrocardiograph machine into pressural engagement and thus good electrical contact with the tube 372.
It is important to note that the tube 372 may extend upwardly from the top of the body 370 so that a suction cup (not shown) of a conventional type may be attached for use in creating a suctional attachment of the electrode to the patient.
- Figure 29 is a pictorial view of an electrocardiograph electrode assembly including means for applying a downward force to ends of an elastic chest piece such as that described in connection with Figure 13. The chest piece 330 of Figure 29 may be stretched to place the electrodes in contact with the proper precordial anatomic positions on the chest of a reclin-ing patient by placing the chest piece 330 on the chest of the patient and disposing weights 332 on either side of the patient to exert a downward force on ends 334 of the chest piece.
The weights may take any desired form but it has been found advantageous for comfort and safety to use a "bean bag"
weight such as illustrated in Figure 30. With reference to Figure 30, the weight may include a fabric bag 336 of particu- ;
late material such as dried beans or the like connected by any suitable conventional means such as the illustrated fastener 338 to a rigid retainer 139 to which the free ends of the chest piece might be buckled.
The embodiment of Figure 29 is particularly desirable where movement of the patient to place some retaining means behind his chest may result in injury or discomfort. Another embodiment not requiring movement of the patient is illus-trated in Figure 31 where the buckle 340 includes arcuate members 342 for bridging the chest of the patient. A surface 344 may be provided on either side of the chest of the patient for receiving weights sufficient to stretch the chest piece 346. The chest piece 346 may be releasably engaged to the retainer 340 by snap fasteners 348.
The electrodes of the present invention may be configured with notches on two of four sides and be smooth on the other two sides to facilitate retaining of the electrodes in a canted position by an aperture in the belt. This may be particularly desirable for the Vl, V2 and V6 positions on certain type chests.
In lieu of a liquid or paste electrolyte, gel pads may be used. These may be held to the electrodes by suction prior to placing the belt on the chest after which a new suction may be drawn through the gel pad to the chest.
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a number of features which increase the ease and speed with which electrocardiograms can be made and at the same time decrease the chance of errors and reduce the cost. The stretchable chest piece provides a means for rapidly and repeatedly locating the precordial electrodes at the correct anatomic position on a patient's chest. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
.
Claims (24)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A precordial strap for automatically locating the precordial anatomic position for electrocardiograph electrodes on the chest of a patient comprising:
a strip of stretchable, non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient in prepara-tion for electrocardiographic monitoring with the ends thereof in predetermined locations relative to the chest of the patient, said strip having a plurality of apertures in pre-determined locations thereon, each of said apertures being adapted to identify a precordial anatomic position for electro-cardiographic monitoring of the patient when said strip is positioned in a substantially unstretched condition on the chest of a first patient having a chest of relatively small size; and, retaining means carried by said strip at opposite ends thereof for stretching said strip to locate the ends thereof in said predetermined positions relative to the chest of a second patient having a chest larger in size than the chest of said first patient to thereby increase the spacing between each of the apertures and to automatically locate the correct precordial anatomic positions on the chest for electro-cardiographic monitoring of the patient.
a strip of stretchable, non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient in prepara-tion for electrocardiographic monitoring with the ends thereof in predetermined locations relative to the chest of the patient, said strip having a plurality of apertures in pre-determined locations thereon, each of said apertures being adapted to identify a precordial anatomic position for electro-cardiographic monitoring of the patient when said strip is positioned in a substantially unstretched condition on the chest of a first patient having a chest of relatively small size; and, retaining means carried by said strip at opposite ends thereof for stretching said strip to locate the ends thereof in said predetermined positions relative to the chest of a second patient having a chest larger in size than the chest of said first patient to thereby increase the spacing between each of the apertures and to automatically locate the correct precordial anatomic positions on the chest for electro-cardiographic monitoring of the patient.
2. The precordial strap of claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a pair of weights removably attached to each of the ends of said strip of stretchable material.
3. The precordial strap of claim 2 wherein said weights include particulate material contained within a flexible container.
4. The precordial strap of claim 1 including means carried by said strip for resisting the width reduction of said strip as said strip is longitudinally stretched.
5. The precordial strap of claim 4 wherein said strip is between about two inches and about five inches in width;
and, wherein said width reduction means includes a plurality of stays spaced along the length of said strip and secured thereto, each of said stays being disposed laterally across the width of said strip and having a length substantially coextensive with the width thereof.
and, wherein said width reduction means includes a plurality of stays spaced along the length of said strip and secured thereto, each of said stays being disposed laterally across the width of said strip and having a length substantially coextensive with the width thereof.
6. A precordial strap for automatically locating the position of electrocardiograph electrodes on the chest of a patient comprising:
a strip of stretchable, non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient in prepara-tion for electrocardiographic monitoring with the ends thereof in predetermined locations relative to the chest of the patient;
a plurality of electrodes carried by said strip in predetermined locations thereon, each of said electrodes being positioned for contacting a precordial anatomic posi-tion of the patient for electrocardiographic monitoring when positioned in a substantially unstretched condition on the chest of a first patient having a chest of relatively small size with the ends of said strip in said predetermined loca-tions; and, retaining means adapted for connection to said strip at opposite ends thereof for stretching said strip to locate the ends thereof in said predetermined positions relative to the chest of a second patient having a chest larger in size than the chest of said first patient to thereby increase the spacing between each of said electrodes and thereby automatically position them on the chest of the second patient in the correct precordial anatomic positions for electrocardiographic monitoring.
a strip of stretchable, non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient in prepara-tion for electrocardiographic monitoring with the ends thereof in predetermined locations relative to the chest of the patient;
a plurality of electrodes carried by said strip in predetermined locations thereon, each of said electrodes being positioned for contacting a precordial anatomic posi-tion of the patient for electrocardiographic monitoring when positioned in a substantially unstretched condition on the chest of a first patient having a chest of relatively small size with the ends of said strip in said predetermined loca-tions; and, retaining means adapted for connection to said strip at opposite ends thereof for stretching said strip to locate the ends thereof in said predetermined positions relative to the chest of a second patient having a chest larger in size than the chest of said first patient to thereby increase the spacing between each of said electrodes and thereby automatically position them on the chest of the second patient in the correct precordial anatomic positions for electrocardiographic monitoring.
7. The precordial strap of claim 6 wherein said retaining means includes a pair of weights removably attached one to each of the ends of said strip of stretchable material.
8. The precordial strap of claim 7 wherein said weights include particulate material contained within a flexible container.
9. The precordial strap of claim 8 including means carried by said strip for resisting the width reduction of said strip as said strip is longitudinally stretched.
10. The precordial strap of claim 6 including means carried by said strip for resisting the width reduction of said strip as said strip is longitudinally stretched.
11. A precordial strap as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said electrodes is removably carried by said strip, each of said electrodes comprising an electrically conductive member having a hollow cavity extending through said strip whereby an electrolyte may be inserted through the cavity into contact with the chest of the patient.
12. The precordial strap of claim 6 wherein each of said electrodes comprises:
a hollow member of an electrically conductive material, said member being flared at one end to engage the skin of the patient and being open at the other end so that an electrolyte can be inserted into the hollow of said member to establish a low resistance electrical connec-tion between the skin of the patient and said member;
connector means electrically connected to the other end of said member for establishing an electrical connection with the lead of an ECG machine without interference with the insertion of an electrolyte into the hollow of said member when connected to a lead of an ECG machine; and, means carried by said member for removably retaining said electrode in an aperture in said sheet o stretchable material.
a hollow member of an electrically conductive material, said member being flared at one end to engage the skin of the patient and being open at the other end so that an electrolyte can be inserted into the hollow of said member to establish a low resistance electrical connec-tion between the skin of the patient and said member;
connector means electrically connected to the other end of said member for establishing an electrical connection with the lead of an ECG machine without interference with the insertion of an electrolyte into the hollow of said member when connected to a lead of an ECG machine; and, means carried by said member for removably retaining said electrode in an aperture in said sheet o stretchable material.
13. The precordial strap of claim 6 wherein each of said electrodes comprises:
a non-metallic member having an upper generally tubular portion and a lower generally cup-shaped portion adapted to engage the skin of a patient to thereby form a cavity bounded in part by the skin of the patient for con-taining an electrolyte, said upper portion having a first bore extending from the upper surface of said member downwardly into said cavity, said upper portion having a second bore generally normal to said first bore with a portion thereof being common to said first bore; and, an electrically conductive generally tubular member disposed in said first bore including a portion of said second bore common to said first bore, said member extending down-wardly into said cavity whereby electrolyte introduced into said cavity through said conductive member provides a low impedance electrical connection between said conductive member and the skin of the patient, said second bore being dimensioned to removably receive a lead from an ECG machine and to retain the lead in contact with said conductive member to thereby provide a low impedance electrical connection between said conductive member and the lead from the ECG machine.
a non-metallic member having an upper generally tubular portion and a lower generally cup-shaped portion adapted to engage the skin of a patient to thereby form a cavity bounded in part by the skin of the patient for con-taining an electrolyte, said upper portion having a first bore extending from the upper surface of said member downwardly into said cavity, said upper portion having a second bore generally normal to said first bore with a portion thereof being common to said first bore; and, an electrically conductive generally tubular member disposed in said first bore including a portion of said second bore common to said first bore, said member extending down-wardly into said cavity whereby electrolyte introduced into said cavity through said conductive member provides a low impedance electrical connection between said conductive member and the skin of the patient, said second bore being dimensioned to removably receive a lead from an ECG machine and to retain the lead in contact with said conductive member to thereby provide a low impedance electrical connection between said conductive member and the lead from the ECG machine.
14. The precordial strap of claim 13 wherein the upper portion of said non-metallic member includes a third bore generally normal to said first bore with a portion thereof common to said first bore, said electrically conductive member being also disposed in a portion of said third bore common to said first bore, said third bore being dimensioned to receive a lead from an ECG machine and for retaining the lead in contact with said conductive member to thereby provide a low impedance electrical connection between said conductive member and lead, said second and third bores differing in diameter whereby leads of different diameters may be electrically connected to said electrode.
15. The precordial strap of claim 6 wherein said retain-ing means comprises:
a rigid base member, adapted for positioning behind.
the back of the patient;
a first belt carried by said base member for releasably engaging said strip adjacent one end;
a second belt carried by said base member for releasably engaging said strip adjacent the other end; and, at least one of said belts being threaded through said base member so that the belt passes behind the patient.
a rigid base member, adapted for positioning behind.
the back of the patient;
a first belt carried by said base member for releasably engaging said strip adjacent one end;
a second belt carried by said base member for releasably engaging said strip adjacent the other end; and, at least one of said belts being threaded through said base member so that the belt passes behind the patient.
16. The precordial strap of claim 6 wherein said retaining means includes frame means adapted to overly the chest of the patient thereby obviating the necessity for moving the patient to place apparatus behind the back of the patient.
17. The precordial strap of claim 6 wherein said retaining means includes means individually electrically connecting the electrodes at left and right precordial positions to connection elements at the left and right ends of said strip, respectively, said means comprising:
a back member (144) for engagement with the back of a patient, a pair of contact members (158) each adjustable longitudinally and transversely over at least one end portion of said back member, a plurality of electrically conductive, connector ele-ments (160) disposed in spaced relationship on each of said contact members (158) transverse of said strip (122) for engaging corresponding connector elements (128) on said strip (122) to mechanically retain said strip in a stretched condition upon the chest of the patient and to make electrical contact with the electrodes (126) connected to the conductive connector elements (128) of said strip (122), contact elements (RA, RL, LA, LL) on each of said con-tact members (158) for electrical connection to the extremities of a patient on that side of the patient, a multi-conductor cable (162) connected to each of said contact members (158) including conductors (130) connected individually to the connector elements (160) and the contact elements (RA, RL, LA, LL) of that con-tact member (158);
a connecting block (164) including a plurality of contact posts (166) individually connected to the conductors in said multi-conductor cables (162); and, an adaptor switch box 178 having input terminals con-nectected individually to said contact posts of said con-necting block with output terminals connected, respectively, to the input leads RA, RL, LA, LL and a precordial lead V, and with switch means in said box for selectively connecting precordial leads V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 sequentially to said precordial lead V.
a back member (144) for engagement with the back of a patient, a pair of contact members (158) each adjustable longitudinally and transversely over at least one end portion of said back member, a plurality of electrically conductive, connector ele-ments (160) disposed in spaced relationship on each of said contact members (158) transverse of said strip (122) for engaging corresponding connector elements (128) on said strip (122) to mechanically retain said strip in a stretched condition upon the chest of the patient and to make electrical contact with the electrodes (126) connected to the conductive connector elements (128) of said strip (122), contact elements (RA, RL, LA, LL) on each of said con-tact members (158) for electrical connection to the extremities of a patient on that side of the patient, a multi-conductor cable (162) connected to each of said contact members (158) including conductors (130) connected individually to the connector elements (160) and the contact elements (RA, RL, LA, LL) of that con-tact member (158);
a connecting block (164) including a plurality of contact posts (166) individually connected to the conductors in said multi-conductor cables (162); and, an adaptor switch box 178 having input terminals con-nectected individually to said contact posts of said con-necting block with output terminals connected, respectively, to the input leads RA, RL, LA, LL and a precordial lead V, and with switch means in said box for selectively connecting precordial leads V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 sequentially to said precordial lead V.
18. The precordial strap of claim 6 wherein said retaining means comprises:
an elongated member (144) adapted to be positioned laterally across the back of a patient in engagement therwith;
positioning means (150, 158) carried by said back engaging member adjacent each end thereof, said means (150, 158) being adjustably positionable with respect to said member (144) in a lateral direction across the back of the pateint and in a direction longitudinally of the patient; and, mechanical connector means carried by said posi-tioning means for engaging said strip when disposed across the chest of the patient, the lateral positioning of said positioning means being responsive to the elasticity of said strip.
an elongated member (144) adapted to be positioned laterally across the back of a patient in engagement therwith;
positioning means (150, 158) carried by said back engaging member adjacent each end thereof, said means (150, 158) being adjustably positionable with respect to said member (144) in a lateral direction across the back of the pateint and in a direction longitudinally of the patient; and, mechanical connector means carried by said posi-tioning means for engaging said strip when disposed across the chest of the patient, the lateral positioning of said positioning means being responsive to the elasticity of said strip.
19. The precordial strap of claim 18 wherein said posi-tioning means includes first means (150) and second means (158) relatively movable in a direction longitudinally of the patient, said first means (150) being slidably carried by said elongated member (144) for relative movement with respect thereto in a direction laterally of the patient, said second means (158) being slidably carried by said first means (150) for relative movement with respect thereto in a direction longitudinally of the patient.
20. A precordial strap for automatically locating the position of a plurality of electrocardiograph electrodes on the chest of patients of significantly different chest sizes in anatomic precordial locations comprising:
(a) a strip of non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient, said strip having means for identifying at least two predetermined positions thereon corresponding to a like numbered position on the chest of any patient, said strip having a narrow dimension greater than the distance longitudinal of the patient between ana-tomic precordial locations for patients of significantly differing chest sizes, and having means for resisting the reduction in the width of said strip as said strip is longitudinally stretched, said strip having a longitudinal dimension suffi-cient to permit positioning of said at least two identified predetermined positions on the corresponding positions on the chest of a patient of relatively small chest size with the strip in a substantially unstretched condition but insufficient to permit positioning of said at least two predetermined poistions on the corresponding positions on the chest of a paitent of relatively large chest size with the strip in said substantially unstretched condition, said strip having a plurality of apertures in pre-determined positions with respect to each other and to said at least two predetermined positions with said strip in an unstretched condition, said strip being stretchable in a longitudinal direction sufficiently to position said at least two identified predetermined positions on corresponding positions on the chest of a patient of relatively large chest size, the stretchable nature of the strip allowing the spacing between adjacent ones of said plurality of apertures to vary as a function of the stretching of said strip so that the position of said plurality of apertures locates the anatomic precordial posi-tions on the chest of the patient of relatively large chest size on which said strip is adapted to be positioned;
(b) an electrode removably carried in each of the apertures of said strip, each of said electrodes comprising:
a hollow member of an electrically conductive material, said member being flared at one end to engage the skin of the patient and being open at the other end so that an electrolyte can be inserted into the hollow of said member to establish a low resistance electrical connec-tion between the skin of the patient and said member, connector means electrically connected to the other end of said member for establishing an electrical con-nection with the lead of an ECG machine without inter-ference with the insertion of an electrolyte into the hollow of said member with the ECG machine connected, and means carried by said member for removably retaining said electrode in an aperture in said strip of stretchable material; and, (c) means for retaining said strip in a stretched condi-tion in position on the chest of a patient, said means including a particulate material within a flexible container attached to said strip adjacent opposite ends thereof.
(a) a strip of non-conductive material adapted for positioning on the chest of a patient, said strip having means for identifying at least two predetermined positions thereon corresponding to a like numbered position on the chest of any patient, said strip having a narrow dimension greater than the distance longitudinal of the patient between ana-tomic precordial locations for patients of significantly differing chest sizes, and having means for resisting the reduction in the width of said strip as said strip is longitudinally stretched, said strip having a longitudinal dimension suffi-cient to permit positioning of said at least two identified predetermined positions on the corresponding positions on the chest of a patient of relatively small chest size with the strip in a substantially unstretched condition but insufficient to permit positioning of said at least two predetermined poistions on the corresponding positions on the chest of a paitent of relatively large chest size with the strip in said substantially unstretched condition, said strip having a plurality of apertures in pre-determined positions with respect to each other and to said at least two predetermined positions with said strip in an unstretched condition, said strip being stretchable in a longitudinal direction sufficiently to position said at least two identified predetermined positions on corresponding positions on the chest of a patient of relatively large chest size, the stretchable nature of the strip allowing the spacing between adjacent ones of said plurality of apertures to vary as a function of the stretching of said strip so that the position of said plurality of apertures locates the anatomic precordial posi-tions on the chest of the patient of relatively large chest size on which said strip is adapted to be positioned;
(b) an electrode removably carried in each of the apertures of said strip, each of said electrodes comprising:
a hollow member of an electrically conductive material, said member being flared at one end to engage the skin of the patient and being open at the other end so that an electrolyte can be inserted into the hollow of said member to establish a low resistance electrical connec-tion between the skin of the patient and said member, connector means electrically connected to the other end of said member for establishing an electrical con-nection with the lead of an ECG machine without inter-ference with the insertion of an electrolyte into the hollow of said member with the ECG machine connected, and means carried by said member for removably retaining said electrode in an aperture in said strip of stretchable material; and, (c) means for retaining said strip in a stretched condi-tion in position on the chest of a patient, said means including a particulate material within a flexible container attached to said strip adjacent opposite ends thereof.
21. The precordial strap of claim 20 wherein said connec-tor means includes:
a first bore generally normal to said hollow member with a portion of said hollow member extending into said first bore, said first bore being dimensioned to removably receive a lead from an ECG machine and for retaining the lead in contact with said hollow member to thereby provide a low impedance electrical connection between said hollow member and the lead from the ECG machine; and, a second bore generally normal to said hollow member with a portion of said hollow member common to said second bore, said second bore being dimensioned to receive a lead from an ECG machine and for retaining the lead in contact with said hollow member to thereby provide a low impedance electrical connection between said hollow member and said lead, said first and second bores differing in diameter whereby leads of different diameters may be electrically connected to said electrode.
a first bore generally normal to said hollow member with a portion of said hollow member extending into said first bore, said first bore being dimensioned to removably receive a lead from an ECG machine and for retaining the lead in contact with said hollow member to thereby provide a low impedance electrical connection between said hollow member and the lead from the ECG machine; and, a second bore generally normal to said hollow member with a portion of said hollow member common to said second bore, said second bore being dimensioned to receive a lead from an ECG machine and for retaining the lead in contact with said hollow member to thereby provide a low impedance electrical connection between said hollow member and said lead, said first and second bores differing in diameter whereby leads of different diameters may be electrically connected to said electrode.
22. A method of automatically determining the anatomic precordial location on the chest of patients having signifi-cantly different chest sizes comprising the steps of:
providing a chest piece of stretchable material having at least two predetermined positions identifiable as corresponding to a like number of predetermined positions on chests of significantly differing sizes, and carrying indicia of a plurality of anatomical precordial positions;
stretching the chest piece to position the predeter-mined positions of the chest piece on the corresponding positions on the chest of a patient; and, determining a plurality of anatomical precordial locations on the chest of the patient by reference to the indicia carried by the chest piece.
providing a chest piece of stretchable material having at least two predetermined positions identifiable as corresponding to a like number of predetermined positions on chests of significantly differing sizes, and carrying indicia of a plurality of anatomical precordial positions;
stretching the chest piece to position the predeter-mined positions of the chest piece on the corresponding positions on the chest of a patient; and, determining a plurality of anatomical precordial locations on the chest of the patient by reference to the indicia carried by the chest piece.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the indicia carried by the chest piece includes a plurality of metallic electrodes adapted to contact the chest of the patient when the chest piece is in place on the chest of the patient, each of the plurality of electrodes defining a passageway through the chest piece; and including the further step of depositing an electro-lyte into the passageway defined by the electrodes whereby the electrodes are automatically positioned on the chest of the patient in anatomic precordial locations and a low impedance electrical connection established between each of the electrodes and the chest of the patient.
24. A method of applying ECG electrodes to the chest of a patient comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a strip of stretchable non-conductive material having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pre-determined pattern with the proportional spacing of the apertures corresponding to the proportional spacing of pre-cordial positions for ECG monitoring;
(b) inserting a hollow electrode into each of the apertures;
(e) attaching a weight to both ends of the strip;
(d) stretching the strip across the chest of a prone patient with a predetermined point of the strip in a prede-termined anatomical position on the chest of the patient;
(e) positioning the weights alongside the chest of the patient to retain the strip in its stretched position;
(f) connecting a lead from an ECG machine to each of the electrodes; and, (g) applying an electrolyte to the hollow of each electrode in place on the chest of the patient to thereby establish a low impedance connection from the chest of the patient to the ECG machine.
(a) providing a strip of stretchable non-conductive material having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pre-determined pattern with the proportional spacing of the apertures corresponding to the proportional spacing of pre-cordial positions for ECG monitoring;
(b) inserting a hollow electrode into each of the apertures;
(e) attaching a weight to both ends of the strip;
(d) stretching the strip across the chest of a prone patient with a predetermined point of the strip in a prede-termined anatomical position on the chest of the patient;
(e) positioning the weights alongside the chest of the patient to retain the strip in its stretched position;
(f) connecting a lead from an ECG machine to each of the electrodes; and, (g) applying an electrolyte to the hollow of each electrode in place on the chest of the patient to thereby establish a low impedance connection from the chest of the patient to the ECG machine.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/816,643 US4202344A (en) | 1976-10-05 | 1977-07-18 | Electrocardiograph electrodes and associated assemblies |
| US816,643 | 1977-07-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1109126A true CA1109126A (en) | 1981-09-15 |
Family
ID=25221239
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA290,437A Expired CA1109126A (en) | 1977-07-18 | 1977-11-08 | Devices for rapid placement and recording of ecg precordial leads in patients |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5421085A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1109126A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2748583A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2397825A1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1087293B (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS54144785A (en) * | 1978-05-02 | 1979-11-12 | Sumitomo Electric Industries | Electrode for measuring body surface potential |
| JPS55151945A (en) * | 1979-05-09 | 1980-11-26 | Medtronic Inc | Device for monitoring heart beat |
| JPS56155805U (en) * | 1980-04-18 | 1981-11-20 | ||
| JPS56161036A (en) * | 1980-05-16 | 1981-12-11 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Apparatus for holding live body electrode |
| SE427236B (en) * | 1980-06-30 | 1983-03-21 | Storvreta Sport Ab | DEVICE FOR APPLICATION OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHICAL ELECTRODES ON A PATIENT'S BREAST CART |
| JPS58177633A (en) * | 1982-04-12 | 1983-10-18 | 赤松 則男 | Electrocardiograph meter |
| JPS58185206U (en) * | 1982-06-05 | 1983-12-09 | 興和株式会社 | Biological potential distribution measurement electrode |
| FR2531330A1 (en) * | 1982-08-09 | 1984-02-10 | Andre Robert | Device for measurement of the cardiac frequency of animals at rest and in motion |
| JPS59174804U (en) * | 1983-05-10 | 1984-11-22 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Biosignal detection band |
| JPS6021741A (en) * | 1983-07-15 | 1985-02-04 | 永島医科器械株式会社 | Brain wave potential detecting method and apparatus |
| FR2627975B1 (en) * | 1988-03-07 | 1990-08-24 | Prugne Pascale | JUNCTION PIECE, FOR THE POSITIONING OF ELECTRODES IN THE SOCKET OF AN ELECTRO-ENCEPHALOGRAM |
| JPH088913B2 (en) * | 1992-08-26 | 1996-01-31 | 惠 橋本 | Electrode attachment structure for electrocardiographic clothing |
| US5450845A (en) * | 1993-01-11 | 1995-09-19 | Axelgaard; Jens | Medical electrode system |
| JP4633374B2 (en) * | 2004-03-10 | 2011-02-16 | 公立大学法人会津大学 | Biosensor device |
| JP4625109B2 (en) * | 2008-04-18 | 2011-02-02 | パナソニック電工株式会社 | Belt type body fat measuring device |
| US20100076295A1 (en) * | 2008-09-24 | 2010-03-25 | General Electric Company | Electrode set for a patient monitoring device |
| JP5669927B2 (en) * | 2010-04-08 | 2015-02-18 | メッド ストーム イノヴェーション エーエス | Disposable electrode patch |
| RU2663539C2 (en) * | 2016-06-22 | 2018-08-07 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Кардиотехника" | Device for transmission of biophysiological signals |
| JP7067901B2 (en) * | 2017-11-14 | 2022-05-16 | 帝人フロンティア株式会社 | Electrocardiographic measurement cloth |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2433233A (en) * | 1944-05-27 | 1947-12-23 | Meminger Paul | Electrode pad |
| US2895479A (en) * | 1957-09-13 | 1959-07-21 | Roger A Lloyd | Electrocardiograph electrode |
| US3409007A (en) * | 1965-11-26 | 1968-11-05 | Lockheed Aircraft Corp | Body electrode support garment |
| US3498291A (en) * | 1966-02-10 | 1970-03-03 | Lockheed Aircraft Corp | Body signal sensing electrode apparatus |
| US3599629A (en) * | 1968-08-28 | 1971-08-17 | Lexington Instr | Oxidized surface biopotential skin electrode |
| US3788317A (en) * | 1972-01-12 | 1974-01-29 | Pelam Inc | Porous absorbent pad electrode for use with an electrocardiograph instrument or the like |
| NL7402355A (en) * | 1974-02-21 | 1975-08-25 | Philips Nv | SKIN ELECTRODE. |
| US4033333A (en) * | 1975-12-10 | 1977-07-05 | Combined Scientific Resources Corporation | Electrode arrangement for taking electrocardiograms |
-
1977
- 1977-10-28 DE DE19772748583 patent/DE2748583A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1977-11-08 CA CA290,437A patent/CA1109126A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-11-08 IT IT29457/77A patent/IT1087293B/en active
- 1977-11-15 JP JP13634677A patent/JPS5421085A/en active Pending
- 1977-11-18 FR FR7734705A patent/FR2397825A1/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2397825B1 (en) | 1983-11-18 |
| JPS5421085A (en) | 1979-02-16 |
| FR2397825A1 (en) | 1979-02-16 |
| IT1087293B (en) | 1985-06-04 |
| DE2748583A1 (en) | 1979-02-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |