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Publication Number
US-10327657-B2
Publication Date
2019-06-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of measuring bioelectric signals of a patient having an axis extending from the patient's head to the patient's feet includes attaching a patch to the patient's skin. The patch may include a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the patch. The patch may be attached such that the longitudinal axis of the patch is generally aligned with the axis of the patient. The method may also include attaching a third electrode to the patient's skin, and measuring bioelectric signals of the patient using the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrode patch health-monitoring system and method that measures bioelectric signals of a patient, including ECG signals, using a skin patch with first and second electrodes spaced apart along a longitudinal axis. The patch is attached to skin so that the longitudinal axis of the patch is generally aligned with an axis extending from the patient’s head to the patient’s feet, and a third electrode is attached to the patient’s skin at a separate location different from the patch location.
The system includes a portable monitor coupled to the electrodes, with embodiments in which the monitor is electrically connected via external wires or via wireless transmission. The invention describes optional remote analysis and communication pathways, including an analysis station and remote analysis.
It also describes patch construction features such as an elongated patch geometry, flexible porous adhesive tape or fabric, and a protective strip with an adhesive layer. The patch and electrode arrangement includes structural and placement guidance using alignment markings and a replacement indicator.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent methods with a common inventive framework: a two-electrode adhesive patch aligned with the patient’s head-to-feet axis plus a separate third electrode at a different skin location. The independent claims cover three main feature sets.
Axis-aligned two-electrode patch under an arm plus separate third electrode
Attaching a patch to the patient’s skin at a first location under an arm, the patch including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the patch, the patch being attached such that the longitudinal axis of the patch is generally aligned with the axis of the patient; attaching a third electrode separate from the patch at a second location different from the first location; measuring bioelectric signals using the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.
Left armpit thoracic patch for ECG plus separate third chest electrode
Attaching a patch under the left armpit in the patient’s thoracic region, the patch including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the patch, the patch being attached such that the longitudinal axis is generally aligned with the axis of the patient; attaching a third electrode to a chest of the patient, wherein the third electrode is separate from the patch; measuring ECG signals using the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.
Two-electrode patch under an arm with third electrode above the heart
Attaching a patch to the patient’s skin under an arm, the patch including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the patch, the patch being attached such that the longitudinal axis of the patch is generally aligned with the axis of the patient; attaching a third electrode to the patient’s skin above the patient’s heart, wherein the third electrode is separate from the patch; measuring bioelectric signals using the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.
Across the independent claims, the shared coverage centers on combining an adhesive patch carrying two electrodes aligned with the patient’s head-to-feet axis with a separate third electrode placed at a different location and measuring signals using all three electrodes.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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