WO2012068608A1 - Measuring apparatus for the repetitive contactless ascertainment of characteristic intervals between electrical pulses of a beating heart - Google Patents

Measuring apparatus for the repetitive contactless ascertainment of characteristic intervals between electrical pulses of a beating heart Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012068608A1
WO2012068608A1 PCT/AT2011/000476 AT2011000476W WO2012068608A1 WO 2012068608 A1 WO2012068608 A1 WO 2012068608A1 AT 2011000476 W AT2011000476 W AT 2011000476W WO 2012068608 A1 WO2012068608 A1 WO 2012068608A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
measuring
organism
measuring device
electrical voltage
noble metal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AT2011/000476
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Henry Puff
Raimund Breithuber
Maximilian Moser
Dietrich Mandler
Christiane SCHLÜTER
Original Assignee
Human Research Institut Für Gesundheitstechnologie Und Präventionsforschung Gmbh
Software+Systeme Erfurt Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Human Research Institut Für Gesundheitstechnologie Und Präventionsforschung Gmbh, Software+Systeme Erfurt Gmbh filed Critical Human Research Institut Für Gesundheitstechnologie Und Präventionsforschung Gmbh
Priority to EP11813752.0A priority Critical patent/EP2642915A1/en
Publication of WO2012068608A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012068608A1/en

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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
    • A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
    • 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
    • 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]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/04—Appliances for sand, mud, wax or foam baths; Appliances for metal baths, e.g. using metal salt solutions
    • A61H2033/048—Baths using solutions, e.g. salts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/10—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2230/00—Measuring physical parameters of the user
    • A61H2230/04—Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a measuring device for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of electrical impulses of a working heart of an organism according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
  • the electrical impulses of the working heart of the living organism cause electrical voltage fluctuations emanating from the organism, which outgoing electrical voltage fluctuations can be detected.
  • the electrical impulses of the working heart recorded by means of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations are the electrocardiogram, which electrocardiogram is also abbreviated to ECG below.
  • a known characteristic interval of the electrical impulses and in the ECG is the RR interval, which extends RR interval in the ECG from the R-wave of a heartbeat to the R-wave of the immediately following heartbeat.
  • the RR interval is the time interval between two heart beats, which heartbeats follow one another directly.
  • Heart rate variability is the fluctuation in heart rate over a short period of time, such as a few minutes, or a long period, such as several hours.
  • the heart rate is also called the heart rate.
  • the heart rate variability is dependent on the function of the heart and thus provides information on the function or malfunction of the heart.
  • the advantage here is that the ECG in an emergency environment, for example when bathing, especially daily, can be determined, which is for cardiovascular care of high health policy interest.
  • the disadvantage here is that turbulences in the fluid and measuring signal noise reduce the accuracy of measurement, whereby a determination of the characteristic intervals with sufficient accuracy can not be ensured from the ECG determined with a low measuring accuracy.
  • the disadvantage here is that form in the conventional measuring electrodes due to small, turbulence-induced voltage fluctuations in the fluid polarization currents.
  • Such polarization currents are caused by the formation and alignment of dipoles in the conventional measuring electrodes.
  • an incorrect, in particular too high, heart rate variability is determined.
  • a disadvantage is that the thus determined heart rate variability is not suitable to provide relevant information on the function or malfunction of the heart.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a measuring device of the type mentioned, with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided and by means of which the heart rate variability can be determined with high accuracy in order to ensure reliable information on the function or malfunction of the heart.
  • the measuring surface of the measuring electrode is electrically particularly conductive, particularly resistant to corrosion and develops turbulence in the fluid no or only very small polarization currents.
  • the heart rate variability can be accurately determined by means of the determined characteristic intervals of successive heartbeats in order to ensure reliable information on the function or malfunctioning of the heart.
  • the invention further relates to a method for repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of the electrical impulses of the working heart of the organism according to the preamble of claim 11.
  • the object of the method is therefore to specify a method for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of characteristic intervals of the electrical impulses of the working heart of the organism, with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided and by means of which the heart rate variability can be determined with high accuracy in order to obtain reliable information Function or to provide malfunction of the heart, which is achieved with the features of claim 11.
  • An advantage of the method is that turbulences in the fluid only have little influence on the measured electrical voltage fluctuations and that the measurement signal noise is minimized. This allows the electrical voltage fluctuations to be measured sensitively and accurately.
  • This has the advantage that the characteristic intervals can be determined repetitively and with high accuracy, so that by means of successive characteristic intervals, the heart rate variability can be determined with high accuracy in order to provide information on the function or malfunctions of the heart.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically the measuring device of a preferred first embodiment in a plan view
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the measuring device of FIG. 1; FIG.
  • FIG. 3 shows schematically the measuring electrode of a first embodiment
  • Fig. 4 shows schematically the electrical impulses of the working heart during a
  • Fig. 5 shows schematically the electrical impulses of the working heart during three successive heartbeats.
  • the measuring device 1 and 2 show a measuring device 1 for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of the electrical pulses 9 of a working heart of an organism 8, wherein the measuring device 1, a pelvic assembly 2 for receiving an electrically conductive fluid, in particular water, and for at least partially receiving the Organism 8, wherein the measuring device 1 further comprises at least one measuring electrode 3 for measuring an electrical voltage fluctuation, and wherein the measuring electrode 3 comprises a measuring surface 4 for contact with the fluid, in which measuring device 1 is provided for determining the characteristic intervals with high accuracy, the measuring surface 4 has at least one noble metal, in particular at least one noble metal coating, at least in regions.
  • the advantage here is that the measuring surface 4 of the measuring electrode 3 is electrically particularly conductive and particularly resistant to corrosion. This results in the advantage that turbulences in the fluid only have little influence on the measured electrical voltage fluctuations and a corrosion-induced voltage drift of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations does not occur substantially: As a result, the measurement signal noise is minimized, so that the electrical voltage fluctuations can be sensitive and accurately measured so the characteristic intervals can be determined repetitively and with high accuracy. Thereby, by means of the determined characteristic intervals of successive heart beats, the heart rate variability can be determined precisely in order to obtain reliable information on the heart rate Function or to deliver malfunctioning of the heart.
  • the measuring device can further be used in a balneological application in such a way that the determined characteristic intervals are used as control variables for a balneological application, ie a balneotherapy, on the organism, in particular on the patient. It is advantageous that the effect of the balneological application can be estimated by means of the characteristic intervals determined, in order to avoid a therapy with too low or too high a dose.
  • the measuring device 1 is particularly suitable for carrying out a method for the repetitive non-contact determination of the characteristic intervals, wherein in the method, the pelvic assembly 2 at least partially filled with an electrically conductive fluid and the organism 8 is at least partially disposed in the pelvic assembly 2, and being provided in that the measuring surface 4 of the measuring electrode 3 having at least one noble metal, in particular the precious metal coating, at least in some areas is contacted by the fluid and the electrical voltage fluctuation is measured by means of the measuring electrode 3.
  • the electrical pulses 9 of the working heart of the living organism cause electrical voltage fluctuations emanating from the organism, which electrical voltage fluctuations can be detected.
  • the electrical pulses 9 of the working heart recorded by means of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations are the electrocardiogram, which is subsequently abbreviated to ECG as the electrocardiogram.
  • ECG electrocardiogram
  • the organism 8 can be a human.
  • the measuring surface 4 for contact with the fluid can, in particular a large area, in particular at least 1 cm 2 having, preferably at least 4cm 2 may be having, formed in order to ensure a large area and reliable electrical contact between the fluid and the noble metal.
  • the waveform of the electrical voltage fluctuation of the heartbeat in contrast to the ECG recording, are not determined .
  • the advantage here is that the amplitudes of the electrical voltage fluctuation are not required to determine the characteristic intervals, which is why the creation of the ECG is not required.
  • the device and the method may be advantageously further provided in the device and the method that at least one amplitude of the electrical voltage fluctuation of the heartbeat is determined, for which purpose the measuring device 1 is also designed for amplitude detection.
  • the at least one characteristic point of the electrical pulses 9 of a heartbeat may in particular be one of those points of the electrical pulses 9 of the heartbeat of the active heart, which point is the beginning of a P-wave P, the maximum value of the P-wave P, the beginning of a QRS.
  • Complex the lowest value of a Q wave Q, the maximum value of an R wave R, the lowest value of an S wave, the end of a T wave T, the maximum value of the T wave T, a point of the steepest rise or a point corresponds to the steepest drop in the ECG of this heartbeat, as shown schematically in Fig. 4.
  • At least one characteristic point from the group of first points electric pulses 9 are selected, which first points in the ECG of a heartbeat of the organism the beginning of the P-wave P, the maximum value of the P-wave P, the beginning of the QRS complex, the lowest value of the Q-wave Q, the maximum value of the R Pitch R, the bottom of the S-wave S, the end of the T-wave T, the maximum of the T-wave T, the point of the steepest rise and the point of the steepest fall.
  • the at least one characteristic interval determined from heartbeat to heartbeat is selected from the group of the respective time intervals of the maximum values of two P-waves, the maximum values of two Q-waves, the maximum values of two R waves, the maximum values of two S waves, the maximum values of two T waves, the points of the steepest rise and the points of the steepest drop in the ECG of the two heartbeats.
  • the RR interval which, in the ECG, corresponds to the time interval of the maximum values of the R waves of two directly successive heart beats, and / or the ECM, can be particularly preferably-as illustrated, for example, in the ECG of three heartbeats shown in FIG PP interval, which in the ECG the time interval of the maximum values of the P-waves of two immediately consecutive heartbeats are determined.
  • the heartbeat-to-heartbeat determined at least one characteristic interval may be particularly preferably the RR interval and / or the PP interval.
  • two or more characteristic points are selected from the group of the first points, so that at least two characteristic intervals are determined from heartbeat to heartbeat of the active heart, which allows further statements on the functioning or disorders of the functioning of the heart ,
  • the measuring device 1 is designed to determine at least two different characteristic intervals from heart beat to heart beat.
  • At least one second characteristic interval is determined, which second characteristic interval corresponds to a characteristic time period within a heartbeat.
  • the at least one second characteristic interval corresponds to a PQ duration PQ and / or a QT duration QT, as these two time periods are plotted in FIG.
  • the method of repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of the electrical impulses may be comprised in particular of a method for determining the heart rate variability and for determining the variability of the PQ duration and / or the variability of the QT duration.
  • two second characteristic intervals are determined, wherein the first of the two corresponds to the PQ duration PQ and the second of the two corresponds to the QT duration QT.
  • at least three characteristic points are to be determined per heartbeat, with a first characteristic point of the at least three characteristic points corresponding to the beginning of the P-wave P, a second characteristic point of the at least three characteristic points corresponding to the beginning of the QRS complex, and a third characteristic point Point corresponding to at least three characteristic points the end of the T-wave. It is advantageous that in addition to the variability of the heart rate, the variability of the PQ duration and the variability of the QT duration are also determined.
  • the electrically conductive fluid may in particular be water, for example tap water.
  • Water usually has ions, whereby the water is usually electrically conductive.
  • this at least one salt is added, which increases the ion concentration of the water and thus the electrical conductivity.
  • Water to which at least one salt is added may be termed salt solution.
  • the basin arrangement 2 may in particular be a basin, preferably a bath, for example a bath - shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the basin arrangement 2 may in particular be designed to be electrically insulating, with which the basin arrangement 2 is not electrically conductive.
  • the basin arrangement 2 is arranged ungrounded, whereby leakage currents can be reliably avoided.
  • the measuring electrodes 3, in particular the measuring device 1, are fixed in an electrically insulated manner to the basin arrangement 2 in order to reliably prevent leakage currents.
  • the at least one noble metal may in particular be selected from the group comprising gold and platinum metals.
  • the at least one noble metal may preferably be selected from the group comprising gold, rhodium and platinum.
  • the precious metals used are as pure as possible, preferably have a purity of at least 99.9%.
  • gold is selected as the noble metal.
  • the at least one metal covered by the measuring electrode 3 may be at least one noble metal.
  • the noble metal may be applied to a, in particular non-metallic, carrier material, such as a plastic, the measuring electrode 3, for which purpose the formation of the measuring surface 4 of the carrier material may be at least partially coated with the noble metal. In this case, the measuring surface 4 on the noble metal coating.
  • the advantage here is that corrosion of the measuring electrode 3 can be particularly reliably prevented.
  • the measuring electrode 3 comprises a non-noble metal, for example copper, and that the base metal is coated with the noble metal for forming the measuring surface 4. In this case, the base metal forms at least part of at least one carrier material of the measuring electrode 3.
  • the advantage here is that only small amounts of precious metal are consumed, so that the measuring electrode 3 can be produced inexpensively.
  • only the at least one noble metal can be contacted with the fluid and / or with ambient air, for which purpose the entire measuring surface 4 Precious metal, in particular the noble metal coating has.
  • the advantage here is that a voltage drift of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations, which voltage drift can occur especially in case of corrosion of the base metal, can be particularly reliably avoided, which in particular long-term measurements can be carried out particularly reliable.
  • the measuring electrode 3 is furthermore suitable for being used for current therapies on the organism in the pelvic arrangement 2, in particular patients.
  • the noble metal-containing measuring surface 4 does not separate the therapy-influencing ions when the measuring electrode 3 is applied to carry out the current therapy on the organism with a current.
  • the measuring electrode 3 wherein the method for repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals is extended by a process step concerning the current therapy, in which method step is provided that the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals is interrupted for a predetermined period of time, and that for current therapy of the organism in this period of time at least one of the at least one measuring electrode 3 is subjected to a therapy current.
  • the measuring device 1 further comprises a control device for controlling the current therapy on the organism.
  • the determined characteristic intervals are taken into account in the control of the therapy current.
  • the control device for controlling the current therapy on the organism is operatively connected to the evaluation device 5, in particular being integrated in the evaluation device 5.
  • the noble metal coating has at least a thickness of 0.1 mm, in particular at least 0.3 mm.
  • the measuring surface 4 is fire-gold plated.
  • fire gilding it is possible to produce particularly thick coatings, whereby the full-surface, durable precious metal coating can be ensured particularly reliably.
  • the measuring surface 4 is formed polished, In particular, highly polished is formed. In this way, a particularly smooth surface can be ensured, with which any formation of deposits on the measuring surface 4 which possibly leads to polarization currents can be avoided particularly reliably.
  • the highly accurate repetitive determination of the characteristic intervals can be ensured in a particularly reliable manner. It is also advantageous that the measuring surface 4 polished by means of known mechanical and electrochemical polishing methods can be easily and reliably polished.
  • the measuring device 1 further comprises an evaluation device 5 and a power supply device 6, that the evaluation device 5 is connected to the at least one measuring electrode 3 for evaluating the electrical voltage fluctuation, that the energy supply device 6 with the evaluation device 5 for supplying power to the evaluation device 5 connected is.
  • the evaluation device 5 the characteristic intervals are determined from the measured by means of the at least one measuring electrode 3 electrical voltage fluctuations.
  • the evaluation device 5 has an amplifier for amplifying the measurement signal, ie a measurement signal amplifier, for amplifying the electrical signal Voltage fluctuation includes.
  • the measuring signal amplifier comprises a plurality of amplifier stages connected in series, wherein a particularly small signal noise is essential, in particular in the first amplifier stage, since in the first amplifier stage the measuring signal is still comparatively small and thus even a small signal noise results in an unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio and because a measurement signal noise introduced in this amplifier stage is also amplified in the subsequent amplifier stages.
  • the signal-to-noise ratio, abbreviated as SNR and also referred to as signal-to-noise ratio, of the measurement signal is the ratio of the average power of the useful signal to the mean noise power of the measurement signal.
  • the measured electrical voltage fluctuations are the Measuring signal, which measuring signal is an electrical signal.
  • the measuring signal amplifier is a DC-coupled measuring signal amplifier.
  • the output of an amplifier stage is directly coupled to the input of the next amplifier stage, inter alia without intermediate coupling capacitors, which ensures particularly high linearity of the signals to be amplified.
  • the combination of the measuring surface 4 having the noble metal and the DC-coupled measuring signal amplifier ensures that the electrical voltage fluctuations to be amplified are amplified with a high signal-to-noise ratio and low voltage drift, which reliably prevents the DC-coupled measuring signal amplifier in FIG Saturation is at which saturation the amplified measurement signal, as distorted by the saturation, would be useless.
  • the measuring signal amplifier can be provided that this comprises a plurality of amplifier stages, and that at least between two amplifier stages a Koppelkondenstor is arranged in the signal path to reliably prevent drifting of the measuring signal amplifier in saturation.
  • a Koppelkondenstor is arranged in the signal path to reliably prevent drifting of the measuring signal amplifier in saturation.
  • the measuring device 1 comprises several, in particular five, six or seven, of the measuring electrodes 3.
  • seven measuring electrodes 3 are provided, as shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • at least two of the seven measuring electrodes 3 may be arranged in the region of the side walls of the pelvic arrangement 2 and at least one of the seven measuring electrodes 3 in the region of a bottom of the pelvic arrangement 2, so that the measuring electrodes 3 are arranged next to and below the organism in the measuring operation, so that substantially In each situation of the organism in the pelvic arrangement 2 reliably the electrical voltage fluctuations can be measured.
  • each measuring electrode 3 precisely one measuring signal of the electrical voltage fluctuations is measured, whereby a group of electrical voltage fluctuations, that is several measuring signals, is measured.
  • the group of electrical voltage fluctuations is evaluated in the first embodiment of the measuring device 1 by means of the evaluation device 5, to which in particular each measuring electrode 3 is connected by means of one, in particular electrical, connecting line 7 with the evaluation device 5.
  • an electrical voltage fluctuation ie an electrical signal
  • a signal-to-noise ratio is determined by means of an evaluation device 5 for each of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations, ie the electrical signals.
  • Ratio is determined, and that those electrical voltage fluctuation of the electrical voltage fluctuations, which has the largest signal-to-noise ratio, as the first electrical voltage fluctuation, ie as a first electrical signal, selected and used to determine the characteristic intervals. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the measurement signal which is best used to determine the respective characteristic interval is used to determine the characteristic intervals, thus ensuring the particularly high determination accuracy of the characteristic intervals, in particular over a long measurement period, for example several hours.
  • the energy supply device 6 can be designed in particular for battery operation of the evaluation device 5, for which purpose the energy supply device 6 comprises an energy store, whereby the evaluation device 5 can be supplied separately from the alternating current network and thus a signal noise and ripple currents of the amplified measurement signal, ie the amplified electrical voltage fluctuations, induced by the alternating current network can be avoided. In this way, a particularly high signal-to-noise ratio can be ensured.
  • At least a first capacitor for supplying energy at least the first amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier comprises.
  • the first amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier of the evaluation device (5) are powered by means of a first capacitor included by the power supply device (6).
  • at least the first amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier can be supplied with energy separately from the power supply during the measurement, so that any electrical voltage fluctuations in the power supply network influence the amplified measuring signal as low as possible.
  • the first amplifier stage usually the first capacitor usually low power and thus long only by means of the first capacitor with the necessary energy for operation can be supplied and thus a particularly high signal-to-noise ratio can be ensured.
  • the first capacitor can be charged in particular before the start of the measurement, that is, in advance.
  • the first capacitor, or a capacitor arrangement comprising the first capacitor and further capacitors are further connected to a second amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier, in particular to the second amplifier stage and to a third amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier, to supply during the measurement at least two of the amplifier stages of the measuring signal amplifier with the necessary energy for amplifying the measuring signal.
  • the particularly high signal-to-noise ratio and the highly accurate determination of the characteristic intervals can also be ensured.
  • the measuring electrode 3 In daily use, the measuring electrode 3 is exposed to cleaning operations. Since the precious metal-comprising measuring surface 4 is soft, cleaning operations, in particular at the edge of the measuring surface 4, can lead to removal of the noble metal in such a way that material underneath, in particular base metal, emerges. This electrochemical balancing currents and potentials can occur, which make the repetitive non-contact determination of the characteristic intervals difficult or impossible.
  • abrasion protection of the measuring surface 4, in particular of the edge of the measuring surface 4 it may be provided in an advantageous manner that the, in particular annular, edge of the measuring surface 4 is covered with a, preferably electrically insulating, material. The coverage may be in particular about 1 mm.
  • a circumferential, raised bead in particular an annular bead of, preferably electrically insulating, material is formed, which bead protects the measuring surface 4, in particular the edge of the measuring surface 4, from abrasion.
  • the bead can be raised in particular in about 2mm.

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  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
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  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
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  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
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  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)

Abstract

In a measuring apparatus (1) for the repetitive contactless ascertainment of characteristic intervals between the electrical pulses (9) of a beating heart in an organism (8), wherein the measuring apparatus (1) comprises a tank arrangement (2) for holding an electrically conducting fluid and for at least partially receiving the organism (8), wherein the measuring apparatus (1) furthermore comprises at least one measurement electrode (3) for measuring an electric voltage fluctuation, and wherein the measurement electrode (3) comprises a measurement surface for contact with the fluid, it is proposed that the measurement surface (4) has, at least regionally, at least a noble metal, in particular at least a noble metal coating, in order to exactly determine the heart rate variability.

Description

Messvorrichtung zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle elektrischer Impulse eines arbeitenden Herzens  Measuring device for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of electrical impulses of a working heart
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Messvorrichtung zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle elektrischer Impulse eines arbeitenden Herzens eines Organismus gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1. The invention relates to a measuring device for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of electrical impulses of a working heart of an organism according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
Die elektrischen Impulse des arbeitenden Herzens des lebenden Organismus bewirken vom Organismus ausgehenden elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, welche ausgehenden elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen detektierbar sind. Die mittels der gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen aufgezeichneten elektrischen Impulse des arbeitenden Herzens sind das Elektrokardiogramm, welches Elektrokardiogramm im Weiteren auch als EKG abgekürzt wird. The electrical impulses of the working heart of the living organism cause electrical voltage fluctuations emanating from the organism, which outgoing electrical voltage fluctuations can be detected. The electrical impulses of the working heart recorded by means of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations are the electrocardiogram, which electrocardiogram is also abbreviated to ECG below.
Ein bekanntes charakteristisches Intervall der elektrischen Impulse und im EKG ist das RR-Intervall, welches RR-Intervall im EKG von der R-Zacke eines Herzschlages zur R-Zacke des unmittelbar nachfolgenden Herzschlages reicht. Das RR-Intervall ist der Zeitabstand zweier Herzschläge, welche Herzschläge unmittelbar aufeinanderfolgen. A known characteristic interval of the electrical impulses and in the ECG is the RR interval, which extends RR interval in the ECG from the R-wave of a heartbeat to the R-wave of the immediately following heartbeat. The RR interval is the time interval between two heart beats, which heartbeats follow one another directly.
Aufeinander folgende charakteristische Intervalle werden zur Bestimmung der Herzratenvariabilität herangezogen. Die Herzratenvariabilität ist die Schwankung der Herzfrequenz über einen kurzen Zeitraum, beispielsweise wenige Minuten, oder langen Zeitraum, beispielsweise mehrere Stunden. Die Herzfrequenz wird auch als Herzrate bezeichnet. Die Herzratenvariabilität ist abhängig von der Funktion des Herzens und liefert somit Informationen zur Funktion bzw. zu Fehlfunktionen des Herzens.  Consecutive characteristic intervals are used to determine heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is the fluctuation in heart rate over a short period of time, such as a few minutes, or a long period, such as several hours. The heart rate is also called the heart rate. The heart rate variability is dependent on the function of the heart and thus provides information on the function or malfunction of the heart.
Es ist bekannt, das EKG mittels am Organismus, beispielsweise am Menschen, angebrachter Elektroden elektronisch oder auf Papier aufzuzeichnen und das charakteristische Intervall aus der Aufzeichnung elektronisch oder manuell herauszumessen. Nachteilig dabei ist, dass die Elektroden am Organismus angebracht werden müssen, welches Anbringen zur Gewährleistung der hinreichenden Genauigkeit fachmännisch durchzuführen ist, wobei der Präparationsaufwand zur Anbringung der Elektroden am Organismus oftmals hoch ist. Nachteilig dabei ist weiters, dass das Anbringen der Elektroden vom Organismus oftmals als unangenehm empfunden wird oder dass die Elektroden durch Bewegung oder Schweißbildung abfallen. It is known to record the ECG electronically or on paper by means of electrodes attached to the organism, for example to humans, and to meter out the characteristic interval from the recording electronically or manually. The disadvantage here is that the electrodes must be attached to the organism, which attachment is performed expertly to ensure sufficient accuracy, the preparation costs for attaching the electrodes to the organism is often high. The disadvantage here is further that the attachment of the electrodes from the organism is often perceived as unpleasant or that the electrodes by movement or sweat fall off.
Es ist weiters bekannt, das EKG berührungsfrei zu ermitteln, beispielsweise in einer Badewanne, wobei ein elektrisch leitfähiges Fluid und der Organismus im Becken angeordnet sind und die elektrischen Impulse des Herzens vom Fluid an, insbesondere am Becken montierte, Messelektroden weitergeleitet wird. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass das EKG in einem AUtagsumfeld, beispielsweise beim Baden, insbesondere täglich, ermittelt werden kann, welches zur kardiovaskulären Vorsorge von hohem gesundheitspolitischem Interesse ist. Nachteilig dabei ist, dass Turbulenzen im Fluid und Messsignalrauschen die Messgenauigkeit verringern, womit aus dem mit geringer Messgenauigkeit ermittelten EKG eine Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle mit hinreichender Genauigkeit nicht gewährleistet werden kann. Nachteilig dabei ist, dass sich in den herkömmlichen Messelektroden aufgrund kleiner, turbulenzbedingter Spannungsschwankungen im Fluid Polarisationsströme ausbilden. Derartige Polarisationsströme entstehen durch die Bildung und Ausrichtung von Dipolen in den herkömmlichen Messelektroden. Bei Auswertung aufeinanderfolgender charakteristischer Intervalle zur Bestimmung der Herzratenvariabilität wird dabei eine unrichtige, insbesondere eine zu hohe, Herzratenvariabilität bestimmt. Nachteilig dabei ist, dass die derart bestimmte Herzratenvariabilität nicht geeignet ist, um relevante Informationen zur Funktion bzw. zu Fehlfunktionen des Herzens zu liefern.  It is also known to determine the ECG without contact, for example in a bathtub, wherein an electrically conductive fluid and the organism are arranged in the pelvis and the electrical impulses of the heart from the fluid to the measuring electrodes, in particular mounted on the pelvis, is forwarded. The advantage here is that the ECG in an emergency environment, for example when bathing, especially daily, can be determined, which is for cardiovascular care of high health policy interest. The disadvantage here is that turbulences in the fluid and measuring signal noise reduce the accuracy of measurement, whereby a determination of the characteristic intervals with sufficient accuracy can not be ensured from the ECG determined with a low measuring accuracy. The disadvantage here is that form in the conventional measuring electrodes due to small, turbulence-induced voltage fluctuations in the fluid polarization currents. Such polarization currents are caused by the formation and alignment of dipoles in the conventional measuring electrodes. When evaluating successive characteristic intervals for determining heart rate variability, an incorrect, in particular too high, heart rate variability is determined. A disadvantage is that the thus determined heart rate variability is not suitable to provide relevant information on the function or malfunction of the heart.
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher eine Messvorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art anzugeben, mit welcher die genannten Nachteile vermieden werden können und mittels welcher die Herzratenvariabilität mit hoher Genauigkeit bestimmt werden kann, um zuverlässige Informationen zur Funktion bzw. zu Fehlfunktionen des Herzens gewährleisten zu können.  The object of the invention is therefore to provide a measuring device of the type mentioned, with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided and by means of which the heart rate variability can be determined with high accuracy in order to ensure reliable information on the function or malfunction of the heart.
Erfindungsgemäß wird dies durch die Merkmale des Patentanspruches 1 erreicht. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass die Messoberfläche der Messelektrode elektrisch besonders leitfähig, besonders korrosionsbeständig ist und bei Turbulenzen im Fluid keine oder lediglich sehr geringe Polarisationsströme entwickelt. Dadurch ergibt sich der Vorteil, dass Turbulenzen im Fluid lediglich geringen Einfluss auf die gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen haben und eine korrosionsbedingte Spannungsdrift der gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen nicht auftritt. Dadurch ist das Messsignalrauschen minimiert und es können die elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen empfindlich und exakt gemessen werden, sodass die charakteristischen Intervalle repetitiv und mit hoher Genauigkeit ermittelt werden können. Dadurch kann mittels der ermittelten charakteristischen Intervalle aufeinander folgender Herzschläge die Herzratenvariabilität genau bestimmt werden, um zuverlässige Informationen zur Funktion bzw. zu Fehlfunktionen des Herzens zu gewährleisten. This is achieved by the features of claim 1 according to the invention. The advantage here is that the measuring surface of the measuring electrode is electrically particularly conductive, particularly resistant to corrosion and develops turbulence in the fluid no or only very small polarization currents. This results in the advantage that turbulences in the fluid only have little influence on the measured electrical voltage fluctuations and a corrosion-induced voltage drift of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations does not occur. This is the measurement signal noise minimized and the electrical voltage fluctuations can be sensitively and accurately measured, so that the characteristic intervals can be determined repetitively and with high accuracy. As a result, the heart rate variability can be accurately determined by means of the determined characteristic intervals of successive heartbeats in order to ensure reliable information on the function or malfunctioning of the heart.
Die Erfindung betrifft weiters ein Verfahren zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle der elektrischen Impulse des arbeitenden Herzens des Organismus gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 11. The invention further relates to a method for repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of the electrical impulses of the working heart of the organism according to the preamble of claim 11.
Bekannte Verfahren zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle weisen die eingangs genannten Nachteile auf und sind zu ungenau, um die Herzratenvariabilität präzise zu bestimmen. Known methods for the repetitive non-contact determination of the characteristic intervals have the disadvantages mentioned at the beginning and are too imprecise to precisely determine the heart rate variability.
Aufgabe des Verfahrens ist es daher ein Verfahren zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle charakteristischer Intervalle der elektrischen Impulse des arbeitenden Herzens des Organismus anzugeben, mit welchem die genannten Nachteile vermieden werden können und mittels welchem die Herzratenvariabilität mit hoher Genauigkeit bestimmt werden kann, um zuverlässige Informationen zur Funktion bzw. zu Fehlfunktionen des Herzens zu liefern, was mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruches 11 gelöst wird. The object of the method is therefore to specify a method for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of characteristic intervals of the electrical impulses of the working heart of the organism, with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided and by means of which the heart rate variability can be determined with high accuracy in order to obtain reliable information Function or to provide malfunction of the heart, which is achieved with the features of claim 11.
Vorteilhaft bei dem Verfahren ist, dass Turbulenzen im Fluid lediglich geringen Einfluss auf die gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen haben und dass das Messsignalrauschen minimiert ist. Damit können die elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen empfindlich und exakt gemessen werden. Dadurch ergibt sich der Vorteil, dass die charakteristischen Intervalle repetitiv und mit hoher Genauigkeit ermittelt werden können, sodass mittels aufeinanderfolgender charakteristischer Intervalle die Herzratenvariabilität mit hoher Genauigkeit bestimmt werden kann, um Informationen zur Funktion bzw. zu Fehlfunktionen des Herzens zu liefern. An advantage of the method is that turbulences in the fluid only have little influence on the measured electrical voltage fluctuations and that the measurement signal noise is minimized. This allows the electrical voltage fluctuations to be measured sensitively and accurately. This has the advantage that the characteristic intervals can be determined repetitively and with high accuracy, so that by means of successive characteristic intervals, the heart rate variability can be determined with high accuracy in order to provide information on the function or malfunctions of the heart.
Die Unteransprüche, welche ebenso wie die Patentansprüche 1 und 11 gleichzeitig einen Teil der Beschreibung bilden, betreffen weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung.  The subclaims, which as well as the claims 1 and 11 simultaneously form part of the description, relate to further advantageous embodiments of the invention.
Die Erfindung wird unter Bezugnahme auf die beigeschlossenen Zeichnungen, in welchen lediglich bevorzugte Ausführungsformen beispielhaft dargestellt sind, näher beschrieben. Dabei zeigt: The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only preferred embodiments are shown by way of example, described in more detail. Showing:
Fig. 1 schematisch die Messvorrichtung einer bevorzugten ersten Ausführungsform in Aufsicht;  Fig. 1 shows schematically the measuring device of a preferred first embodiment in a plan view;
Fig. 2 schematisch die Messvorrichtung der Fig. 1 in Seitenansicht;  FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the measuring device of FIG. 1; FIG.
Fig. 3 schematisch die Messelektrode einer ersten Ausbildung;  3 shows schematically the measuring electrode of a first embodiment;
Fig. 4 schematisch die elektrischen Impulse des arbeitenden Herzens während eines Fig. 4 shows schematically the electrical impulses of the working heart during a
Herzschlages; und Heartbeat; and
Fig. 5 schematisch die elektrischen Impulse des arbeitenden Herzens während dreier aufeinander folgender Herzschläge.  Fig. 5 shows schematically the electrical impulses of the working heart during three successive heartbeats.
Die Fig. 1 und 2 zeigen eine Messvorrichtung 1 zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle der elektrischen Impulse 9 eines arbeitenden Herzens eines Organismus 8, wobei die Messvorrichtung 1 eine Beckenanordnung 2 zur Aufnahme eines elektrisch leitenden Fluides, insbesondere Wasser, und zur wenigstens bereichsweisen Aufnahme des Organismus 8 umfasst, wobei die Messvorrichtung 1 weiters wenigstens eine Messelektrode 3 zum Messen einer elektrischen Spannungsschwankung umfasst, und wobei die Messelektrode 3 eine Messoberfläche 4 zum Kontakt mit dem Fluid umfasst, bei welcher Messvorrichtung 1 zur Ermittlung der charakteristischer Intervalle mit hoher Genauigkeit vorgesehen ist, dass die Messoberfläche 4 wenigstens bereichsweise zumindest ein Edelmetall, insbesondere zumindest eine Edelmetallbeschichtung, aufweist. 1 and 2 show a measuring device 1 for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of the electrical pulses 9 of a working heart of an organism 8, wherein the measuring device 1, a pelvic assembly 2 for receiving an electrically conductive fluid, in particular water, and for at least partially receiving the Organism 8, wherein the measuring device 1 further comprises at least one measuring electrode 3 for measuring an electrical voltage fluctuation, and wherein the measuring electrode 3 comprises a measuring surface 4 for contact with the fluid, in which measuring device 1 is provided for determining the characteristic intervals with high accuracy, the measuring surface 4 has at least one noble metal, in particular at least one noble metal coating, at least in regions.
Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass die Messoberfläche 4 der Messelektrode 3 elektrisch besonders leitfähig und besonders korrosionsbeständig ist. Dadurch ergibt sich der Vorteil, dass Turbulenzen im Fluid lediglich geringen Einfluss auf die gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen haben und eine korrosionsbedingte Spannungsdrift der gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen im Wesentlichen nicht auftritt: Dadurch ist das Messsignalrauschen minimiert, womit die elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen empfindlich und exakt gemessen werden können, sodass die charakteristischen Intervalle repetitiv und mit hoher Genauigkeit ermittelt werden können. Dadurch kann mittels der ermittelten charakteristischen Intervalle aufeinander folgender Herzschläge die Herzratenvariabilität genau bestimmt werden, um zuverlässige Informationen zur Funktion bzw. zu Fehlfunktionen des Herzens zu liefern. The advantage here is that the measuring surface 4 of the measuring electrode 3 is electrically particularly conductive and particularly resistant to corrosion. This results in the advantage that turbulences in the fluid only have little influence on the measured electrical voltage fluctuations and a corrosion-induced voltage drift of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations does not occur substantially: As a result, the measurement signal noise is minimized, so that the electrical voltage fluctuations can be sensitive and accurately measured so the characteristic intervals can be determined repetitively and with high accuracy. Thereby, by means of the determined characteristic intervals of successive heart beats, the heart rate variability can be determined precisely in order to obtain reliable information on the heart rate Function or to deliver malfunctioning of the heart.
In vorteilhafter Weise kann die Messvorrichtung weiters bei einer balneologischen Anwendung derart verwendet werden, indem die ermittelten charakteristischen Intervalle als Steuergrößen für eine balneologische Anwendung, also eine Balneotherapie, am Organismus, insbesondere am Patienten, verwendet werden. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass mittels der ermittelten charakteristischen Intervalle die Wirkung der balneologische Anwendung abgeschätzt werden kann, um eine Therapie mit zu geringer oder mit zu hoher Dosis zu vermeiden.  Advantageously, the measuring device can further be used in a balneological application in such a way that the determined characteristic intervals are used as control variables for a balneological application, ie a balneotherapy, on the organism, in particular on the patient. It is advantageous that the effect of the balneological application can be estimated by means of the characteristic intervals determined, in order to avoid a therapy with too low or too high a dose.
Die Messvorrichtung 1 eignet sich insbesondere zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle, wobei bei dem Verfahren die Beckenanordnung 2 wenigstens bereichsweise mit einem elektrisch leitenden Fluid befüllt und der Organismus 8 wenigstens bereichsweise in der Beckenanordnung 2 angeordnet wird, und wobei vorgesehen ist, dass die wenigstens bereichsweise das zumindest eine Edelmetall, insbesondere die zumindest eine Edelmetallbeschichtung, aufweisende Messoberfläche 4 der Messelektrode 3 vom Fluid kontaktiert wird und mittels der Messelektrode 3 die elektrische Spannungsschwankung gemessen wird. The measuring device 1 is particularly suitable for carrying out a method for the repetitive non-contact determination of the characteristic intervals, wherein in the method, the pelvic assembly 2 at least partially filled with an electrically conductive fluid and the organism 8 is at least partially disposed in the pelvic assembly 2, and being provided in that the measuring surface 4 of the measuring electrode 3 having at least one noble metal, in particular the precious metal coating, at least in some areas is contacted by the fluid and the electrical voltage fluctuation is measured by means of the measuring electrode 3.
Die elektrischen Impulse 9 des arbeitenden Herzens des lebenden Organismus bewirken vom Organismus ausgehenden elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, welche elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen detektierbar sind. Die mittels der gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen aufgezeichneten elektrischen Impulse 9 des arbeitenden Herzens sind das Elektrokardiogramm, welches Elektrokardiogramm im Weiteren als EKG abgekürzt wird. In diesem Sinn sind das charakteristische Intervall der elektrischen Impulse 9 des arbeitenden Herzens zweier aufeinanderfolgender Herzschläge des Organismus 8 und das diesem charakteristische Intervall entsprechende charakteristische Intervall des EKG dieser beiden Herzschläge gleich.  The electrical pulses 9 of the working heart of the living organism cause electrical voltage fluctuations emanating from the organism, which electrical voltage fluctuations can be detected. The electrical pulses 9 of the working heart recorded by means of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations are the electrocardiogram, which is subsequently abbreviated to ECG as the electrocardiogram. In this sense, the characteristic interval of the electrical impulses 9 of the working heart of two successive heartbeats of the organism 8 and the characteristic interval of the ECG of these two heartbeats corresponding to this characteristic interval are equal.
Der Organismus 8 kann insbesondere ein Mensch sein.  In particular, the organism 8 can be a human.
Die Messoberfläche 4 zum Kontakt mit dem Fluid kann insbesondere großflächig, insbesondere wenigstens 1cm2 aufweisend, bevorzugt wenigstens 4cm2 aufweisend, ausgebildet sein, um einen großflächigen und zuverlässigen elektrischen Kontakt zwischen dem Fluid und dem Edelmetall zu gewährleisten. The measuring surface 4 for contact with the fluid can, in particular a large area, in particular at least 1 cm 2 having, preferably at least 4cm 2 may be having, formed in order to ensure a large area and reliable electrical contact between the fluid and the noble metal.
Im Unterschied zur herkömmlichen Elektrokardiografie können bei der gegenständlichen Messvorrichtung 1 und bei dem gegenständlichen Verfahren insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass lediglich das zeitliche Auftreten wenigstens eines vorbestimmten charakteristischen Punktes der elektrischen Impulse 9 eines Herzschlages ermittelt wird, wobei die Kurvenform der elektrischen Spannungsschwankung des Herzschlages, im Gegensatz zur EKG-Aufzeichnung, nicht ermittelt werden. Dies ermöglicht den Einsatz kostengünstiger Auswerteeinrichtungen 5 und minimiert das Datenvolumen insbesondere bei Langzeitmessungen, also Messungen über zumindest mehrere Stunden, am Organismus. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass zur Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle die Amplituden der elektrischen Spannungsschwankung nicht erforderlich sind, weshalb die Erstellung des EKG nicht erforderlich ist. Vielmehr kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass zur Ermittlung jeweils eines der charakteristischen Intervalle lediglich der Zeitpunkt des Auftretens eines vorbestimmten charakteristischen Punktes im ersten Herzschlag und der Zeitpunkt des Auftretens desselben charakteristischen Punktes im zweiten, auf den ersten Herzschlag unmittelbar darauffolgenden Herzschlag ermittelt werden. Die Zeitabstand dieser beiden Zeitpunkte ist das charakteristische Intervall zu dem vorbestimmten charakteristischen Punkt des Herzschlages, also der elektrischen Impulse 9, des aktiven Herzens. In contrast to conventional electrocardiography in the represent objective measuring device 1 and in the subject method in particular that only the temporal occurrence of at least one predetermined characteristic point of the electrical pulses 9 of a heartbeat is determined, the waveform of the electrical voltage fluctuation of the heartbeat, in contrast to the ECG recording, are not determined , This allows the use of cost-effective evaluation devices 5 and minimizes the volume of data, especially in the case of long-term measurements, ie measurements over at least several hours, on the organism. The advantage here is that the amplitudes of the electrical voltage fluctuation are not required to determine the characteristic intervals, which is why the creation of the ECG is not required. Rather, it can be provided, in particular, that in order to determine one of the characteristic intervals, only the time of occurrence of a predetermined characteristic point in the first heartbeat and the time of occurrence of the same characteristic point in the second heartbeat immediately following the first heartbeat are determined. The time interval of these two points in time is the characteristic interval to the predetermined characteristic point of the heartbeat, ie the electrical pulses 9, of the active heart.
Insbesondere kann vorteilhafterweise bei der Vorrichtung und dem Verfahren weiters vorgesehen sein, dass wenigstens eine Amplitude der elektrischen Spannungsschwankung des Herzschlages ermittelt wird, wozu die Messvorrichtung 1 auch zur Amplitudendetektion ausgebildet ist.  In particular, it may be advantageously further provided in the device and the method that at least one amplitude of the electrical voltage fluctuation of the heartbeat is determined, for which purpose the measuring device 1 is also designed for amplitude detection.
Der wenigstens eine charakteristische Punkt der elektrischen Impulse 9 eines Herzschlages kann insbesondere einer jener Punkt der elektrischen Impulse 9 des Herzschlages des aktiven Herzens sein, welcher Punkt dem Beginn einer P-Welle P, dem Höchstwert der P-Welle P, dem Beginn eines QRS-Komplexes, dem Tiefstwert einer Q-Zacke Q, dem Höchstwert einer R-Zacke R, dem Tiefstwert einer S-Zacke S, dem Ende einer T-Welle T, dem Höchstwert der T-Welle T, einem Punkt des steilsten Anstiegs oder einem Punkt des steilsten Abfalls im EKG dieses Herzschlages entspricht, wie dies schematisch in Fig. 4 dargestellt ist. Zur Bestimmung der charakteristischen Intervalle kann somit insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass wenigstens ein charakteristischer Punkt aus der Gruppe erster Punkte der elektrischen Impulse 9 ausgewählt wird, welche ersten Punkte im EKG eines Herzschlages des Organismus dem Beginn der P-Welle P, dem Höchstwert der P- Welle P, dem Beginn des QRS-Komplexes, dem Tiefstwert der Q-Zacke Q, dem Höchstwert der R-Zacke R, dem Tiefstwert der S-Zacke S, dem Ende der T-Welle T, dem Höchstwert der T-Welle T, dem Punkt des steilsten Anstiegs und dem Punkt des steilsten Abfalls entsprechen. Dabei wird das wenigstens eine von Herzschlag zu Herzschlag ermittelte charakteristische Intervall ausgewählt aus der Gruppe der jeweiligen Zeitabstände der Höchstwerte zweier P-Wellen, der Höchstwerte zweier Q-Zacken, der Höchstwerte zweier R-Zacken, der Höchstwerte zweier S-Zacken, der Höchstwerte zweier T-Wellen, der Punkte des steilsten Anstiegs und der Punkte des steilsten Abfalls im EKG der beiden Herzschläge. The at least one characteristic point of the electrical pulses 9 of a heartbeat may in particular be one of those points of the electrical pulses 9 of the heartbeat of the active heart, which point is the beginning of a P-wave P, the maximum value of the P-wave P, the beginning of a QRS. Complex, the lowest value of a Q wave Q, the maximum value of an R wave R, the lowest value of an S wave, the end of a T wave T, the maximum value of the T wave T, a point of the steepest rise or a point corresponds to the steepest drop in the ECG of this heartbeat, as shown schematically in Fig. 4. To determine the characteristic intervals, it may thus be provided, in particular, that at least one characteristic point from the group of first points electric pulses 9 are selected, which first points in the ECG of a heartbeat of the organism the beginning of the P-wave P, the maximum value of the P-wave P, the beginning of the QRS complex, the lowest value of the Q-wave Q, the maximum value of the R Pitch R, the bottom of the S-wave S, the end of the T-wave T, the maximum of the T-wave T, the point of the steepest rise and the point of the steepest fall. In this case, the at least one characteristic interval determined from heartbeat to heartbeat is selected from the group of the respective time intervals of the maximum values of two P-waves, the maximum values of two Q-waves, the maximum values of two R waves, the maximum values of two S waves, the maximum values of two T waves, the points of the steepest rise and the points of the steepest drop in the ECG of the two heartbeats.
Als charakteristisches Intervall können besonders bevorzugt - wie dies beispielsweise in dem in Fig. 5 dargestellten EKG dreier Herzschläge dargestellt ist - das RR- Intervall, welches im EKG dem Zeitabstand der Höchstwerte der R-Zacken zweier unmittelbar aufeinander folgender Herzschläge entspricht, und/oder das PP-Intervall, welches im EKG dem Zeitabstand der Höchstwerte der P-Wellen zweier unmittelbar aufeinander folgender Herzschläge entspricht, ermittelt werden. In diesem Sinn kann das von Herzschlag zu Herzschlag ermittelte wenigstens eine charakteristische Intervall besonders bevorzugt das RR-Intervall und/oder das PP-Intervall sein.  As a characteristic interval, the RR interval which, in the ECG, corresponds to the time interval of the maximum values of the R waves of two directly successive heart beats, and / or the ECM, can be particularly preferably-as illustrated, for example, in the ECG of three heartbeats shown in FIG PP interval, which in the ECG the time interval of the maximum values of the P-waves of two immediately consecutive heartbeats are determined. In this sense, the heartbeat-to-heartbeat determined at least one characteristic interval may be particularly preferably the RR interval and / or the PP interval.
Insbesondere kann vorgesehen sein, dass zwei oder mehr charakteristische Punkte aus der Gruppe der ersten Punkte ausgewählt werden, sodass von Herzschlag zu Herzschlag des aktiven Herzens jeweils zumindest zwei charakteristische Intervalle ermittelt werden, welches weitere Aussagen zur Funktionsweise bzw. zu Störungen der Funktionsweise des Herzens ermöglicht. Hiezu ist vorgesehen, dass die Messvorrichtung 1 ausgebildet ist, um wenigstens zwei unterschiedliche charakteristische Intervalle von Herzschlag zu Herzschlag bestimmten.  In particular, it may be provided that two or more characteristic points are selected from the group of the first points, so that at least two characteristic intervals are determined from heartbeat to heartbeat of the active heart, which allows further statements on the functioning or disorders of the functioning of the heart , For this purpose it is provided that the measuring device 1 is designed to determine at least two different characteristic intervals from heart beat to heart beat.
In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung kann in diesem Zusammenhang vorgesehen sein, dass neben den von Herzschlag zu Herzschlag ermittelten charakteristischen Intervallen, welche als erste charakteristische Intervalle bezeichnet werden können, wenigstens ein zweites charakteristisches Intervall ermittelt wird, welches zweite charakteristische Intervall einer charakteristischen Zeitdauer innerhalb eines Herzschlags entspricht. In diesem Zusammenhang kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass das wenigstens eine zweite charakteristische Intervall einer PQ-Dauer PQ und/oder einer QT-Dauer QT entspricht, wie diese beiden Zeitdauern in Fig. 4 eingezeichnet sind. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, zusätzlich zur Herzratenvariabilität weiters die Variabilität der PQ-Dauer und/oder der Variabilität der QT-Dauer ermittelt werden kann. Das Verfahren Verfahren zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle der elektrischen Impulse kann dabei insbesondere von einem Verfahren zur Ermittlung der Herzratenvariabilität und zur Ermittlung der Variabilität der PQ-Dauer und/oder der Variabilität der QT-Dauer umfasst sein. In an advantageous development, it may be provided in this connection that in addition to the characteristic intervals determined from heartbeat to heartbeat, which may be referred to as first characteristic intervals, at least one second characteristic interval is determined, which second characteristic interval corresponds to a characteristic time period within a heartbeat. In this connection can be provided in particular be such that the at least one second characteristic interval corresponds to a PQ duration PQ and / or a QT duration QT, as these two time periods are plotted in FIG. It is advantageous, in addition to the heart rate variability, to further determine the variability of the PQ duration and / or the variability of the QT duration. The method of repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of the electrical impulses may be comprised in particular of a method for determining the heart rate variability and for determining the variability of the PQ duration and / or the variability of the QT duration.
Insbesondere kann in diesem Zusammenhang vorgesehen sein, dass zwei zweite charakteristische Intervall ermittelt werden, wobei das erste der beiden der PQ- Dauer PQ entspricht und das zweite der beiden der QT-Dauer QT entspricht. Hiezu sind pro Herzschlag wenigstens drei charakteristische Punkte zu ermitteln, wobei ein erster charakteristischer Punkt der wenigstens drei charakteristische Punkte dem Beginn der P-Welle P entspricht, ein zweiter charakteristischer Punkt der wenigstens drei charakteristische Punkte dem Beginn des QRS-Komplexes entspricht und ein dritter charakteristischer Punkt der wenigstens drei charakteristische Punkte dem Ende der T-Welle entspricht. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass zusätzlich zur Herzratenvariabilität weiters die Variabilität der PQ-Dauer und die Variabilität der QT-Dauer ermittelt werden.  In particular, it may be provided in this connection that two second characteristic intervals are determined, wherein the first of the two corresponds to the PQ duration PQ and the second of the two corresponds to the QT duration QT. For this purpose, at least three characteristic points are to be determined per heartbeat, with a first characteristic point of the at least three characteristic points corresponding to the beginning of the P-wave P, a second characteristic point of the at least three characteristic points corresponding to the beginning of the QRS complex, and a third characteristic point Point corresponding to at least three characteristic points the end of the T-wave. It is advantageous that in addition to the variability of the heart rate, the variability of the PQ duration and the variability of the QT duration are also determined.
Das elektrisch leitfähige Fluid kann insbesondere Wasser, beispielsweise Leitungswasser, sein. Wasser weist üblicherweise Ionen auf, womit das Wasser üblicherweise elektrisch leitend ist. Zur Verbesserung der Leitfähigkeit des Wassers kann vorgesehen sein, dass diesem wenigstens ein Salz zugesetzt wird, welches die lonenkonzentration des Wassers und damit die elektrische Leitfähigkeit erhöht. Wasser, welchem wenigstens ein Salz zugesetzt ist, kann als Salzlösung bezeichnet werden.  The electrically conductive fluid may in particular be water, for example tap water. Water usually has ions, whereby the water is usually electrically conductive. To improve the conductivity of the water can be provided that this at least one salt is added, which increases the ion concentration of the water and thus the electrical conductivity. Water to which at least one salt is added may be termed salt solution.
Die Beckenanordnung 2 kann insbesondere ein Becken, bevorzugt eine Wanne, beispielsweise eine - in den Fig. 1 und 2 dargestellte - Badewanne, sein.  The basin arrangement 2 may in particular be a basin, preferably a bath, for example a bath - shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Die Beckenanordnung 2 kann insbesondere elektrisch isolierend ausgebildet sein, womit die Beckenanordnung 2 nicht elektrisch leitend ist. The basin arrangement 2 may in particular be designed to be electrically insulating, with which the basin arrangement 2 is not electrically conductive.
Insbesondere kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Beckenanordnung 2 ungeerdet angeordnet ist, womit Leckströme zuverlässig vermieden werden können. Weiters kann bevorzugt vorgesehen sein, dass die Messelektroden 3, insbesondere die Messvorrichtung 1 , elektrisch isoliert an der Beckenanordnung 2 befestigt sind, um Leckströme zuverlässig zu vermeiden. In particular, it can be provided that the basin arrangement 2 is arranged ungrounded, whereby leakage currents can be reliably avoided. Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the measuring electrodes 3, in particular the measuring device 1, are fixed in an electrically insulated manner to the basin arrangement 2 in order to reliably prevent leakage currents.
Das zumindest eine Edelmetall kann insbesondere ausgewählt sein aus der Gruppe umfassend Gold und Platinmetalle. Das zumindest eine Edelmetall kann bevorzugt ausgewählt sein aus der Gruppe umfassend Gold, Rhodium und Platin. Vorteilhafterweise kann dabei vorgesehen sein, dass die verwendeten Edelmetalle möglichst rein sind, bevorzugt einen Reinheitsgrad von wenigstens 99,9 % aufweisen.  The at least one noble metal may in particular be selected from the group comprising gold and platinum metals. The at least one noble metal may preferably be selected from the group comprising gold, rhodium and platinum. Advantageously, it can be provided that the precious metals used are as pure as possible, preferably have a purity of at least 99.9%.
Besonders bevorzugt kann vorgesehen sein, dass Gold als das Edelmetall ausgewählt ist.  Particularly preferably it can be provided that gold is selected as the noble metal.
In vorteilhafter erster Weiterbildung der Messelektrode 3 kann das von der Messelektrode 3 umfasste zumindest eine Metall das zumindest eine Edelmetall sein. Das Edelmetall kann dabei auf einem, insbesondere nichtmetallischen, Trägerwerkstoff, beispielsweise einem Kunststoff, der Messelektrode 3 aufgebracht sein, wozu zur Ausbildung der Messoberfläche 4 der Trägerwerkstoff insbesondere wenigstens bereichsweise mit dem Edelmetall beschichtet sein kann. Dabei weist die Messoberfläche 4 die Edelmetallbeschichtung auf. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass eine Korrosion der Messelektrode 3 besonders zuverlässig verhindert werden kann. In vorteilhafter zweiter Weiterbildung der Messelektrode 3 kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Messelektrode 3 ein unedles Metall, beispielsweise Kupfer, umfasst und dass das unedle Metall mit dem Edelmetall zur Ausbildung der Messoberfläche 4 beschichtet ist. Dabei bildet das unedle Metall wenigstens einen Teil wenigstens eines Trägerwerkstoffs der Messelektrode 3 aus. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass lediglich geringe Mengen an Edelmetall verbraucht werden, sodass die Messelektrode 3 kostengünstig hergestellt werden kann.  In an advantageous first development of the measuring electrode 3, the at least one metal covered by the measuring electrode 3 may be at least one noble metal. The noble metal may be applied to a, in particular non-metallic, carrier material, such as a plastic, the measuring electrode 3, for which purpose the formation of the measuring surface 4 of the carrier material may be at least partially coated with the noble metal. In this case, the measuring surface 4 on the noble metal coating. The advantage here is that corrosion of the measuring electrode 3 can be particularly reliably prevented. In an advantageous second development of the measuring electrode 3, it can be provided that the measuring electrode 3 comprises a non-noble metal, for example copper, and that the base metal is coated with the noble metal for forming the measuring surface 4. In this case, the base metal forms at least part of at least one carrier material of the measuring electrode 3. The advantage here is that only small amounts of precious metal are consumed, so that the measuring electrode 3 can be produced inexpensively.
Insbesondere kann in diesem Zusammenhang kann vorgesehen sein, dass kein unedles Metall welches unedle Metall von der Messelektrode 3 umfasst sein kann, bei Verwendung der Messelektrode 3, insbesondere bei Ausführung des Verfahrens, mit dem Fluid und /oder mit Umgebungsluft in Kontakt tritt, wodurch eine Korrosion des unedlen Metalls zuverlässig vermieden werden kann. Dabei ist vorgesehen, dass lediglich das zumindest eine Edelmetall mit dem Fluid und/oder mit Umgebungsluft kontaktierbar ist, wozu die gesamte Messoberfläche 4 das Edelmetall, insbesondere die Edelmetallbeschichtung, aufweist. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass eine Spannungsdrift der gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, welche Spannungsdrift insbesondere bei Korrosion des unedlen Metalls auftreten kann, besonders zuverlässig vermieden werden kann, womit insbesondere Langzeitmessungen besonders zuverlässig durchgeführt werden können. Vorteilhaft dabei ist weiters, dass die Messelektrode 3 dabei weiters geeignet ist um für Stromtherapien am in der Beckenanordnung 2 befindlichen Organismus, insbesondere Patienten, verwendet zu werden. Dies deshalb, weil die Edelmetall aufweisende Messoberfläche 4 keine die Therapie beeinflussende Ionen absondert, wenn die Messelektrode 3 zur Durchführung der Stromtherapie am Organismus mit einem Strom beaufschlag wird. Derart ergibt sich ein vorteilhafter Zusatznutzen der Messelektrode 3, wobei das Verfahren zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle um einen die Stromtherapie betreffenden Verfahrensschritt erweitert wird, in welchem Verfahrensschritt vorgesehen ist, dass die repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle für eine vorgebbare Zeitdauer unterbrochen wird, und dass zur Stromtherapie des Organismus in dieser Zeitdauer zumindest eine der wenigstens einen Messelektrode 3 mit einem Therapiestrom beaufschlagt wird. Dazu kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass die Messvorrichtung 1 weiters eine Steuereinrichtung zur Steuerung der Stromtherapie am Organismus umfasst. In particular, it can be provided in this context that no base metal which base metal can be encompassed by the measuring electrode 3, when using the measuring electrode 3, in particular when carrying out the method, comes into contact with the fluid and / or ambient air, whereby a Corrosion of the base metal can be reliably avoided. It is provided that only the at least one noble metal can be contacted with the fluid and / or with ambient air, for which purpose the entire measuring surface 4 Precious metal, in particular the noble metal coating has. The advantage here is that a voltage drift of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations, which voltage drift can occur especially in case of corrosion of the base metal, can be particularly reliably avoided, which in particular long-term measurements can be carried out particularly reliable. It is advantageous, furthermore, that the measuring electrode 3 is furthermore suitable for being used for current therapies on the organism in the pelvic arrangement 2, in particular patients. This is because the noble metal-containing measuring surface 4 does not separate the therapy-influencing ions when the measuring electrode 3 is applied to carry out the current therapy on the organism with a current. This results in an advantageous added benefit of the measuring electrode 3, wherein the method for repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals is extended by a process step concerning the current therapy, in which method step is provided that the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals is interrupted for a predetermined period of time, and that for current therapy of the organism in this period of time at least one of the at least one measuring electrode 3 is subjected to a therapy current. For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the measuring device 1 further comprises a control device for controlling the current therapy on the organism.
In diesem Zusammenhang kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass die ermittelten charakteristischen Intervalle bei der Steuerung des Therapiestroms berücksichtigt werden. Dazu kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass die Steuereinrichtung zur Steuerung der Stromtherapie am Organismus mit der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 wirkverbunden ist, insbesondere in der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 integriert ist. In this context, it may in particular be provided that the determined characteristic intervals are taken into account in the control of the therapy current. For this purpose, it can be provided, in particular, that the control device for controlling the current therapy on the organism is operatively connected to the evaluation device 5, in particular being integrated in the evaluation device 5.
Damit dauerhaft zuverlässig ein Durchreiben der Edelmetallbeschichtung vermieden ist, kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass die Edelmetallbeschichtung zumindest eine Dicke von 0,1 mm, insbesondere wenigstens 0,3 mm, aufweist. In order to reliably prevent rubbing through of the noble metal coating, it can be provided, in particular, that the noble metal coating has at least a thickness of 0.1 mm, in particular at least 0.3 mm.
Insbesondere kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Messoberfläche 4 feuervergoldet ist. Mittels Feuervergoldung lassen sich besonders dicke Beschichtungen herstellen, womit die vollflächige, dauerhafte Edelmetallbeschichtung besonders zuverlässig gewährleistet werden kann. In particular, it can be provided that the measuring surface 4 is fire-gold plated. By means of fire gilding it is possible to produce particularly thick coatings, whereby the full-surface, durable precious metal coating can be ensured particularly reliably.
Weiters kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Messoberfläche 4 poliert ausgebildet ist, Insbesondere hochpoliert ausgebildet ist. Derart kann eine besonders glatte Oberfläche gewährleistet werden, womit eine möglicherweise Polarisationsströme bewirkende Belagbildung auf der Messoberfläche 4 besonders zuverlässig vermieden werden kann. Die hochgenaue repetitive Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle kann derart besonders zuverlässig gewährleistet werden. Vorteilhaft dabei ist weiters, dass die Messoberfläche 4 mittels bekannter mechanischer und elektrochemischer Polierverfahren poliert einfach und zuverlässig poliert werden kann. Furthermore, it can be provided that the measuring surface 4 is formed polished, In particular, highly polished is formed. In this way, a particularly smooth surface can be ensured, with which any formation of deposits on the measuring surface 4 which possibly leads to polarization currents can be avoided particularly reliably. The highly accurate repetitive determination of the characteristic intervals can be ensured in a particularly reliable manner. It is also advantageous that the measuring surface 4 polished by means of known mechanical and electrochemical polishing methods can be easily and reliably polished.
Insbesondere kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Messvorrichtung 1 weiters eine Auswerteeinrichtung 5 und eine Energieversorgungseinrichtung 6 umfasst, dass zur Auswertung der elektrischen Spannungsschwankung die Auswerteeinrichtung 5 mit der wenigstens einen Messelektrode 3 verbunden ist, dass zur Energieversorgung der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 die Energieversorgungseinrichtung 6 mit der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 verbunden ist. Mittels der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 werden die charakteristischen Intervalle ermittelt aus den mittels der wenigstens einen Messelektrode 3 gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen.  In particular, it can be provided that the measuring device 1 further comprises an evaluation device 5 and a power supply device 6, that the evaluation device 5 is connected to the at least one measuring electrode 3 for evaluating the electrical voltage fluctuation, that the energy supply device 6 with the evaluation device 5 for supplying power to the evaluation device 5 connected is. By means of the evaluation device 5, the characteristic intervals are determined from the measured by means of the at least one measuring electrode 3 electrical voltage fluctuations.
Da das Messsignal stark zu verstärken ist, beispielsweise auf das 1000-fache der im Fluid an der wenigstens einen Messelektrode 3 vorliegenden Spannungsschwankungen, kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass die Auswerteeinrichtung 5 einen Verstärker zum Verstärken des Messsignals, also einen Messsignalverstärker, zum Verstärken der elektrischen Spannungsschwankung umfasst. Zur Ausbildung der starken Verstärkung kann dabei insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass der Messsignalverstärker mehrere hintereinander geschaltete Verstärkerstufen umfasst, wobei insbesondere bei der ersten Verstärkerstufe ein besonders kleines Signalrauschen wesentlich ist, da in der ersten Verstärkerstufe das Messsignal noch vergleichsweise gering ist und somit selbst ein kleines Signalrauschen ein ungünstiges Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis zur Folge hat und da ein in dieser Verstärkerstufe eingebrachtes Messsignalrauschen in den nachfolgenden Verstärkerstufen mitverstärkt wird. Das Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis, als SNR abgekürzt und auch als Signal- Rauschabstand bezeichnet, des Messsignals ist das Verhältnis der mittleren Leistung des Nutzsignals zur mittleren Rauschleistung des Messsignals. Bei dem vorteilhaften Verfahren und bei der vorteilhaften Messvorrichtung 1 sind die gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen das Messsignal, welches Messsignal ein elektrisches Signal ist. Since the measurement signal is to be strongly amplified, for example to 1000 times the voltage fluctuations present in the fluid at the at least one measuring electrode 3, it can be provided in particular that the evaluation device 5 has an amplifier for amplifying the measurement signal, ie a measurement signal amplifier, for amplifying the electrical signal Voltage fluctuation includes. To form the strong amplification, it may be provided in particular that the measuring signal amplifier comprises a plurality of amplifier stages connected in series, wherein a particularly small signal noise is essential, in particular in the first amplifier stage, since in the first amplifier stage the measuring signal is still comparatively small and thus even a small signal noise results in an unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio and because a measurement signal noise introduced in this amplifier stage is also amplified in the subsequent amplifier stages. The signal-to-noise ratio, abbreviated as SNR and also referred to as signal-to-noise ratio, of the measurement signal is the ratio of the average power of the useful signal to the mean noise power of the measurement signal. In the advantageous method and in the advantageous measuring device 1, the measured electrical voltage fluctuations are the Measuring signal, which measuring signal is an electrical signal.
In diesem Zusammenhang kann insbesondere vorgesehen sein, dass der Messsignalverstärker ein gleichstromgekoppelter Messsignalverstärker ist. Bei dem gleichstromgekoppelten Messsignalverstärker ist der Ausgang einer Verstärkerstufe unmittelbar, also unter anderem ohne zwischengeschaltete Koppelkondensatoren, mit dem Eingang der nächsten Verstärkerstufe gekoppelt, welches für eine besonders hohe Linearität der zu verstärkenden Signale sorgt. In vorteilhafter Weise sorgt dabei die Kombination der das Edelmetall aufweisenden Messoberfläche 4 und des gleichstromgekoppelten Messsignalverstärkers dafür, dass die zu verstärkenden elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen mit hohem Signal- Rausch-Verhältnis und mit geringer Spannungsdrift verstärkt werden, womit zuverlässig verhindert werden kann, dass der gleichstromgekoppelte Messsignalverstärker in Sättigung geht, bei welcher Sättigung das verstärkte Messsignal, da durch die Sättigung verfälscht, unbrauchbar wäre.  In this context, it can be provided, in particular, that the measuring signal amplifier is a DC-coupled measuring signal amplifier. In the DC-coupled measuring signal amplifier, the output of an amplifier stage is directly coupled to the input of the next amplifier stage, inter alia without intermediate coupling capacitors, which ensures particularly high linearity of the signals to be amplified. In an advantageous manner, the combination of the measuring surface 4 having the noble metal and the DC-coupled measuring signal amplifier ensures that the electrical voltage fluctuations to be amplified are amplified with a high signal-to-noise ratio and low voltage drift, which reliably prevents the DC-coupled measuring signal amplifier in FIG Saturation is at which saturation the amplified measurement signal, as distorted by the saturation, would be useless.
In weiterer Ausbildung des Messsignalverstärkers kann vorgesehen sein, dass dieser mehrere Verstärkerstufen umfasst, und dass wenigstens zwischen zwei Verstärkerstufen ein Koppelkondenstor im Signalweg angeordnet ist, um ein Abdriften des Messsignalverstärkers in Sättigung zuverlässig zu verhindern. Mittels des Koppelkondenstors im Signalweg werden dabei die Gleichstromanteile im Signalweg ausgefiltert, sodass im Wesentlichen keinerlei Spannungsdrift auftreten kann, sodass unter anderem ein allfälliger bei der Messung auftretender Polarisationsstrom bei der Messsignalverstärkung zuverlässig herausgefiltert werden kann. In a further embodiment of the measuring signal amplifier can be provided that this comprises a plurality of amplifier stages, and that at least between two amplifier stages a Koppelkondenstor is arranged in the signal path to reliably prevent drifting of the measuring signal amplifier in saturation. By means of the coupling capacitor in the signal path while the DC components are filtered out in the signal path, so that essentially no voltage drift can occur, so that, inter alia, any polarization current occurring during the measurement can be reliably filtered out in the measurement signal amplification.
Insbesondere kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Messvorrichtung 1 mehrere, insbesondere fünf, sechs oder sieben, der Messelektroden 3 umfasst. Bei der ersten Ausführungsform der Messvorrichtung 1 sind sieben Messelektroden 3 vorgesehen, wie dies schematisch in den Fig. 1 und 2 dargestellt ist. Insbesondere können dabei wenigstens zwei der sieben Messelektroden 3 im Bereich von Seitenwandungen der Beckenanordnung 2 und wenigstens eine der sieben Messelektroden 3 im Bereich eines Bodens der Beckenanordnung 2 angeordnet sein, sodass die Messelektroden 3 im Messbetrieb neben und unter dem Organismus angeordnet sind, sodass im Wesentlichen bei jeder Lage des Organismus in der Beckenanordnung 2 zuverlässig die elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen gemessen werden können. Mittels jeder Messelektrode 3 wird genau ein Messsignal der elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen gemessen, womit eine Gruppe von elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, also mehrere Messsignale, gemessen wird. Die Gruppe der elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen wird bei der ersten Ausführungsform der Messvorrichtung 1 mittels der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 ausgewertet, wozu insbesondere jede Messelektrode 3 mittels jeweils einer, insbesondere elektrischen, Verbindungsleitung 7 mit der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 verbunden ist. Insbesondere in diesem Zusammenhang kann vorgesehen sein, dass mittels der mehreren Messelektroden 3 jeweils eine elektrische Spannungsschwankung, also ein elektrisches Signal, gemessen wird, dass mittels einer Auswerteeinrichtung 5 zu jeder der gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, also der elektrischen Signale, jeweils ein Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis ermittelt wird, und dass jene elektrische Spannungsschwankung der elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, welche das größte Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis aufweist, als erste elektrische Spannungsschwankung, also als erstes elektrisches Signal, ausgewählt und zur Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle weiterverwendet wird. Dadurch kann gewährleistet werden, dass das jeweils am besten zur Ermittlung des jeweiligen charakteristischen Intervalls geeignete Messsignal zur Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle weiterverwendet wird, womit die besonders hohe Ermittlungsgenauigkeit der charakteristischen Intervalle, insbesondere über einen langen Messzeitraum, beispielsweise mehrere Stunden, gewährleistet werden kann. Die Energieversorgungseinrichtung 6 kann insbesondere zum Batteriebetrieb der Auswerteeinrichtung 5 ausgebildet sein, wozu die Energieversorgungseinrichtung 6 einen Energiespeicher umfasst, womit die Auswerteeinrichtung 5 vom Wechselstromnetz getrennt energieversorgbar ist und womit ein vom Wechselstromnetz induziertes Signalrauschen und Brummströme des verstärkten Messsignals, also der verstärkten elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, zuverlässig vermieden werden können. Derart kann ein besonders hohes Signal-Rausch- Verhältnis gewährleistet werden. In particular, it can be provided that the measuring device 1 comprises several, in particular five, six or seven, of the measuring electrodes 3. In the first embodiment of the measuring device 1, seven measuring electrodes 3 are provided, as shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, at least two of the seven measuring electrodes 3 may be arranged in the region of the side walls of the pelvic arrangement 2 and at least one of the seven measuring electrodes 3 in the region of a bottom of the pelvic arrangement 2, so that the measuring electrodes 3 are arranged next to and below the organism in the measuring operation, so that substantially In each situation of the organism in the pelvic arrangement 2 reliably the electrical voltage fluctuations can be measured. By means of each measuring electrode 3, precisely one measuring signal of the electrical voltage fluctuations is measured, whereby a group of electrical voltage fluctuations, that is several measuring signals, is measured. The group of electrical voltage fluctuations is evaluated in the first embodiment of the measuring device 1 by means of the evaluation device 5, to which in particular each measuring electrode 3 is connected by means of one, in particular electrical, connecting line 7 with the evaluation device 5. In particular, in this context, it can be provided that an electrical voltage fluctuation, ie an electrical signal, is measured by means of the plurality of measuring electrodes 3, that in each case a signal-to-noise ratio is determined by means of an evaluation device 5 for each of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations, ie the electrical signals. Ratio is determined, and that those electrical voltage fluctuation of the electrical voltage fluctuations, which has the largest signal-to-noise ratio, as the first electrical voltage fluctuation, ie as a first electrical signal, selected and used to determine the characteristic intervals. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the measurement signal which is best used to determine the respective characteristic interval is used to determine the characteristic intervals, thus ensuring the particularly high determination accuracy of the characteristic intervals, in particular over a long measurement period, for example several hours. The energy supply device 6 can be designed in particular for battery operation of the evaluation device 5, for which purpose the energy supply device 6 comprises an energy store, whereby the evaluation device 5 can be supplied separately from the alternating current network and thus a signal noise and ripple currents of the amplified measurement signal, ie the amplified electrical voltage fluctuations, induced by the alternating current network can be avoided. In this way, a particularly high signal-to-noise ratio can be ensured.
In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung der Energieversorgungseinrichtung 6 kann vorgesehen sein, wenigstens einen ersten Kondensator zum Energieversorgen weinigstens der ersten Verstärkerstufe des Messsignalverstärkers umfasst. Derart kann die erste Verstärkerstufe des Messsignalverstärkers der Auswerteeinrichtung (5) mittels eines von der Energieversorgungseinrichtung (6) umfassten ersten Kondensators energieversorgt werden. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, dass zumindest die erste Verstärkerstufe des Messsignalverstärkers während der Messung vom Stromnetz getrennt energieversorgt werden kann, sodass allfällige elektrische Spannungsschwankungen im Stromnetz das verstärkte Messsignal möglichst gering beeinflussen. Vorteilhaft dabei ist, das die erste Verstärkerstufe üblicherweise dem ersten Kondensator üblicherweise wenig Leistung und somit lange lediglich mittels des ersten Kondensators mit der zum Betrieb notwendigen Energie versorgt werden kann und derart ein besonders hohes Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis gewährleistet werden. Der erste Kondensator kann insbesondere vor Beginn der Messung, also vorab, aufgeladen werden. In an advantageous embodiment of the energy supply device 6 can be provided, at least a first capacitor for supplying energy at least the first amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier comprises. In this way, the first amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier of the evaluation device (5) are powered by means of a first capacitor included by the power supply device (6). It is advantageous in this case that at least the first amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier can be supplied with energy separately from the power supply during the measurement, so that any electrical voltage fluctuations in the power supply network influence the amplified measuring signal as low as possible. It is advantageous that the first amplifier stage usually the first capacitor usually low power and thus long only by means of the first capacitor with the necessary energy for operation can be supplied and thus a particularly high signal-to-noise ratio can be ensured. The first capacitor can be charged in particular before the start of the measurement, that is, in advance.
In diesem Zusammenhang kann in vorteilhafter Weiterbildung vorgesehen sein, dass der erste Kondensator, oder eine Kondensatoranordnung umfassend den ersten Kondensator und weitere Kondensatoren, weiters mit einer zweiten Verstärkerstufe des Messsignalverstärkers, insbesondere mit der zweiten Verstärkerstufe und mit einer dritten Verstärkerstufe des Messsignalverstärkers, verbunden sind, um während der Messung wenigstens zwei der Verstärkerstufen des Messsignalverstärkers mit der zum Verstärken des Messsignals notwendigen Energie zu versorgen. Derart können ebenfalls das besonders hohe Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis und die hochgenaue Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle gewährleistet werden.  In this context, it may be provided in an advantageous development that the first capacitor, or a capacitor arrangement comprising the first capacitor and further capacitors, are further connected to a second amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier, in particular to the second amplifier stage and to a third amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier, to supply during the measurement at least two of the amplifier stages of the measuring signal amplifier with the necessary energy for amplifying the measuring signal. In this way, the particularly high signal-to-noise ratio and the highly accurate determination of the characteristic intervals can also be ensured.
Im täglichen Einsatz ist die Messelektrode 3 Putzvorgängen ausgesetzt. Da die Edelmetall aufweisende Messoberfläche 4 weich ist, können Putzvorgänge insbesondere am Rand der Messoberfläche 4 zu einer Abtragung des Edelmetalls derart führen, dass darunterliegender Werkstoff, insbesondere unedles Metall, hervortritt. Dabei können elektrochemische Ausgleichsströme und -potentiale auftreten, welche die repetitive berührungsfreie Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle erschweren oder unmöglich machen. Zum Abriebsschutz der Messoberfläche 4, insbesondere des Randes der Messoberfläche 4, kann in vorteilhafter Weise vorgesehen sein, dass der, insbesondere ringförmige, Rand der Messoberfläche 4 mit einem, bevorzugt elektrisch isolierenden, Werkstoff überdeckt ist. Die Überdeckung kann insbesondere in etwa 1 mm betragen. Wirkungsäquivalent hiezu kann vorgesehen sein, dass, bevorzugt unmittelbar, angrenzend an den Rand der Messoberfläche 4 ein umlaufender, erhabener Wulst, insbesondere ein Ringwulst des, bevorzugt elektrisch isolierenden, Werkstoffs, ausgebildet ist, welcher Wulst die Messoberfläche 4, insbesondere den Rand der Messoberfläche 4, vor Abrieb schützt. Der Wulst kann insbesondere in etwa 2mm erhaben sein. Vorteilhaft bei der Ausbildung der Überdeckung bzw. bei der Ausbildung des Wulstes ist, dass die Messoberfläche 4, insbesondere der Rand der Messoberfläche 4, abtragungsgeschütz ausgebildet ist, sodass tägliche Putzvorgänge an der Messelektrode 3 zuverlässig durchgeführt werden können. In daily use, the measuring electrode 3 is exposed to cleaning operations. Since the precious metal-comprising measuring surface 4 is soft, cleaning operations, in particular at the edge of the measuring surface 4, can lead to removal of the noble metal in such a way that material underneath, in particular base metal, emerges. This electrochemical balancing currents and potentials can occur, which make the repetitive non-contact determination of the characteristic intervals difficult or impossible. For abrasion protection of the measuring surface 4, in particular of the edge of the measuring surface 4, it may be provided in an advantageous manner that the, in particular annular, edge of the measuring surface 4 is covered with a, preferably electrically insulating, material. The coverage may be in particular about 1 mm. Equivalent to this effect can be provided that, preferably immediately, adjacent to the edge of the measuring surface 4 a circumferential, raised bead, in particular an annular bead of, preferably electrically insulating, material is formed, which bead protects the measuring surface 4, in particular the edge of the measuring surface 4, from abrasion. The bead can be raised in particular in about 2mm. An advantage of the formation of the overlap or in the formation of the bead is that the measuring surface 4, in particular the edge of the measuring surface 4, is designed abrasion-resistant, so that daily cleaning operations on the measuring electrode 3 can be performed reliably.
Weitere erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsformen weisen lediglich einen Teil der beschriebenen Merkmale auf, wobei jede Merkmalskombination, insbesondere auch von verschiedenen beschriebenen Ausführungsformen, vorgesehen sein kann. Further embodiments according to the invention have only a part of the features described, wherein each feature combination, in particular also of various described embodiments, can be provided.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E PATENT APPLICATIONS
1. Messvorrichtung (1 ) zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle elektrischer Impulse (9) eines arbeitenden Herzens eines Organismus (8), wobei die Messvorrichtung (1 ) eine Beckenanordnung (2) zur Aufnahme eines elektrisch leitenden Fluides und zur wenigstens bereichsweisen Aufnahme des Organismus (8) umfasst, wobei die Messvorrichtung (1 ) weiters wenigstens eine Messelektrode (3) zum Messen einer elektrischen Spannungsschwankung umfasst, und wobei die Messelektrode (3) eine Messoberfläche (4) zum Kontakt mit dem Fluid umfasst, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Messoberfläche (4) wenigstens bereichsweise zumindest ein Edelmetall, insbesondere zumindest eine Edelmetallbeschichtung, aufweist. 1. Measuring device (1) for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of electrical pulses (9) of a working heart of an organism (8), wherein the measuring device (1) comprises a pelvic arrangement (2) for receiving an electrically conductive fluid and for at least partially receiving the organism (8), wherein the measuring device (1) further comprises at least one measuring electrode (3) for measuring an electrical voltage fluctuation, and wherein the measuring electrode (3) comprises a measuring surface (4) for contact with the fluid, characterized in that the measuring surface (4) at least partially, at least one noble metal, in particular at least one noble metal coating having.
2. Messvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Edelmetall ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe umfassend Gold und Platinmetalle. 2. Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the noble metal is selected from the group comprising gold and platinum metals.
3. Messvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Messoberfläche (4) feuervergoldet ist. 3. Measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring surface (4) is fire-gold plated.
4. Messvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 , 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die gesamte Messoberfläche (4) das Edelmetall, insbesondere die Edelmetallbeschichtung, aufweist. 4. Measuring device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the entire measuring surface (4) comprises the noble metal, in particular the noble metal coating.
5. Messvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Messvorrichtung (1 ) mehrere, insbesondere fünf, sechs oder sieben, der Messelektroden (3) umfasst. 5. Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the measuring device (1) comprises a plurality, in particular five, six or seven, of the measuring electrodes (3).
6. Messvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Messvorrichtung (1 ) weiters eine Auswerteeinrichtung (5) und eine Energieversorgungseinrichtung (6) umfasst, dass zur Auswertung der elektrischen Spannungsschwankung die Auswerteeinrichtung (5) mit der wenigstens einen Messelektrode (3) verbunden ist, dass zur Energieversorgung der Auswerteeinrichtung (5) die Energieversorgungseinrichtung (6) mit der Auswerteeinrichtung (5) verbunden ist, und dass die Auswerteeinrichtung (5) einen, insbesondere gleichstromgekoppelten, Messsignalverstärker zum Verstärken der elektrischen Spannungsschwankung umfasst. 6. Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measuring device (1) further comprises an evaluation device (5) and a power supply device (6), that for evaluating the electrical voltage fluctuation, the evaluation device (5) with the at least one measuring electrode (3) is connected to the energy supply of Evaluation device (5) the power supply device (6) with the evaluation device (5) is connected, and that the evaluation device (5) comprises a, in particular DC-coupled, measurement signal amplifier for amplifying the electrical voltage fluctuation.
7. Messvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Energieversorgungseinrichtung (6) wenigstens einen ersten Kondensator zum Energieversorgen wenigstens einer ersten Verstärkerstufe des Messsignalverstärkers umfasst. 7. Measuring device according to claim 6, characterized in that the energy supply device (6) comprises at least a first capacitor for supplying energy to at least a first amplifier stage of the measuring signal amplifier.
8. Messvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein, insbesondere ringförmiger, Rand der Messoberfläche (4) mit einem, bevorzugt elektrisch isolierenden, Werkstoff überdeckt ist. 8. Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a, in particular annular, edge of the measuring surface (4) is covered with a, preferably electrically insulating, material.
9. Messvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, bevorzugt unmittelbar, angrenzend an den Rand der Messoberfläche (4) ein umlaufender, erhabener Wulst, insbesondere ein Ringwulst des, bevorzugt elektrisch isolierenden, Werkstoffs, ausgebildet ist. 9. Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, preferably immediately, adjacent to the edge of the measuring surface (4), a circumferential, raised bead, in particular an annular bead of the, preferably electrically insulating, material is formed.
10. Messvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Messvorrichtung (1 ) weiters eine Steuereinrichtung zur Steuerung einer Stromtherapie am Organismus umfasst. 10. Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the measuring device (1) further comprises a control device for controlling a current therapy on the organism.
11 . Verfahren zur repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle der elektrischen Impulse (9) des arbeitenden Herzens eines Organismus (8), wobei eine Beckenanordnung (2) wenigstens bereichsweise mit einem elektrisch leitenden Fluid befüllt und der Organismus (8) wenigstens bereichsweise in der Beckenanordnung (2) angeordnet wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine wenigstens bereichsweise ein Edelmetall, insbesondere wenigstens bereichsweise eine Edelmetallbeschichtung, aufweisende Messoberfläche (4) einer Messelektrode (3) vom Fluid kontaktiert wird und mittels der Messelektrode (3) eine elektrische Spannungsschwankung gemessen wird. 11. Method for the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals of the electrical impulses (9) of the working heart of an organism (8), wherein a pelvic assembly (2) at least partially filled with an electrically conductive fluid and the organism (8) at least partially in the pelvic assembly (2) is arranged, characterized in that a at least partially a noble metal, in particular at least partially a noble metal coating, having measuring surface (4) of a measuring electrode (3) is contacted by the fluid and by means of the measuring electrode (3) an electrical voltage fluctuation is measured.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mittels mehrerer, insbesondere fünf, sechs oder sieben, der Messelektroden (3) jeweils eine elektrische Spannungsschwankung gemessen werden, dass mittels einer Auswerteeinrichtung (5) zu jeder der gemessenen elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen jeweils ein Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis ermittelt wird, und dass jene elektrische Spannungsschwankung der elektrischen Spannungsschwankungen, welche das größte Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis aufweist, als erste elektrische Spannungsschwankung ausgewählt und zur Ermittlung der charakteristischen Intervalle weiterverwendet wird. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that by means of several, in particular five, six or seven, the measuring electrodes (3) each an electrical voltage fluctuation are measured, that by means of an evaluation device (5) for each of the measured electrical voltage fluctuations in each case a signal Noise ratio is determined, and that the electrical voltage fluctuation of the electrical voltage fluctuations, which has the largest signal-to-noise ratio, selected as the first voltage fluctuation and used to determine the characteristic intervals.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine erste Verstärkerstufe eines Messsignalverstärkers der Auswerteeinrichtung (5) mittels eines von der Energieversorgungseinrichtung (6) umfassten ersten Kondensators energieversorgt wird. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that a first amplifier stage of a measuring signal amplifier of the evaluation device (5) by means of one of the power supply device (6) included in the first capacitor is energized.
14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die repetitiven berührungsfreien Ermittlung charakteristischer Intervalle für eine vorgebbare Zeitdauer unterbrochen wird, und dass zur Stromtherapie des Organismus in dieser Zeitdauer zumindest eine der wenigstens Messelektrode 3 mit einem Therapiestrom beaufschlagt wird. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the repetitive non-contact determination of characteristic intervals for a predetermined period of time is interrupted, and that for current therapy of the organism in this period at least one of the at least measuring electrode 3 is subjected to a therapy current.
15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ermittelten charakteristischen Intervalle bei der Steuerung des Therapiestroms berücksichtigt werden. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the determined characteristic intervals are taken into account in the control of the therapy current.
PCT/AT2011/000476 2010-11-23 2011-11-23 Measuring apparatus for the repetitive contactless ascertainment of characteristic intervals between electrical pulses of a beating heart WO2012068608A1 (en)

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ATA1949/2010A AT510822B1 (en) 2010-11-23 2010-11-23 MEASURING DEVICE FOR THE REPETITIVE TOUCH-FREE DETERMINATION OF CHARACTERISTIC INTERVALS ELECTRICAL IMPULSES OF A WORKING HEART
ATA1949/2010 2010-11-23

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