Systems, articles and methods for cardiology sensory technology
Inventors
Nguyen, Frank • Bertram, Andre David Thomas
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11363958-B2
Publication Date
2022-06-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
Device and methods for a wearable medical device are disclosed. The device and methods use an on-board mobile system to alert emergency services when the user is in cardiovascular distress. The device takes advantage of newly miniaturized electrocardiograph, pulse oximetry sensors, mutual reinforcement and anomaly detection algorithms. Electrocardiograph waveforms are recorded digitally for physician review with emphasis on critical events. In the occurrence of a immediate critical-need cardiac event, the system will contact emergency services (EMS) for assistance. The system is a biometric monitoring system that implements key concepts of cardiovascular monitoring through pulse oximetry and electrocardiography (ECG). The system implements key concepts of ECGs and active/capacitive electrodes to produce a wireless network of (individually isolated) ECG nodes that can produce a system ranging from 3 to 16 leads.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a wearable cardiovascular monitoring system comprising a mobile base unit configured to receive signals from two or more conductively isolated electrode sensors worn at different positions on a user, including at least one electrode sensor worn on a peripheral of the user. The electrode sensors are conductively isolated from each other by not having wired interconnections, and each electrode sensor is wirelessly coupled to the base unit. The base unit includes wireless communication and a processor for monitoring a heart condition and for communication with a remote monitoring system.
A plurality of feedback circuits is provided, where each feedback circuit is configured to determine localized noise at a respective position on the user of one of the electrode sensors. Each feedback circuit is configured to insert a voltage signal at the respective position of the user to suppress or cancel the determined noise. The inserted voltage signals from all of the feedback circuits are coordinated as a common signal so that localized noise suppression or cancellation is applied across sensor positions.
The processor receives the respective signals from the two or more electrode sensors, determines heart signal information from the received signals, compares the determined heart signal information with expected heart signal information, and transmits a notification based on the comparing. The base unit is configured to be in communication with a remote monitoring system, enabling notification transmission in response to detected changes in heart signal information.
The disclosed system supports around-the-clock monitoring of cardiovascular distress and an emergency response workflow using wearable electrocardiogram monitoring with wireless signal acquisition. The description also states that it can support clinician review using digital ECG capture and can optionally include pulse oximetry and motion sensing concepts to improve event detection and reduce the impact of localized noise and motion-related artifacts.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a wearable system architecture with a mobile base unit receiving wirelessly coupled, conductively isolated electrode sensor signals, localized noise suppression using feedback circuits coordinated into a common signal, and heart signal evaluation by comparing determined heart signal information to expected heart signal information for notification transmission to a remote monitoring system. Dependent claims further refine notification conditions, additional sensors, notification routing and order, user acknowledgement, and motion-based ignoring of electrode sensor data.
Mobile base unit with wireless communication and processor
A mobile base unit for positioning on a user and comprising a wireless communication subsystem and a processor.
Conductively isolated wireless electrode sensors positioned on the user
Two or more electrode sensors that are conductively isolated from each other by not having wired interconnections between the two or more electrode sensors, the two or more electrode sensors for wearing on different positions of the user and wirelessly coupled to the base unit, with at least one electrode sensor for wearing on a peripheral of the user.
Localized noise determination with feedback circuits coordinated as a common signal
A plurality of feedback circuits, each configured to determine localized noise at the respective position on the user of one of the electrode sensors, each configured to insert a voltage signal to the respective position of the user to suppress or cancel the determined noise, and each configured to co-ordinate the inserted voltage signal from all of the feedback circuits as a common signal.
Heart signal evaluation and notification transmission
The processor is configured to determine heart signal information from the received signals of the two or more electrode sensors, compare the determined heart signal information with expected heart signal information, and transmit a notification based on the comparing.
Remote monitoring system communication
The base unit is configured to be in communication with a remote monitoring system.
Across the independent claim, the main inventive coverage is the combination of conductively isolated, wirelessly coupled electrode sensors with a mobile base unit; localized noise suppression via multiple feedback circuits whose inserted voltage signals are coordinated into a common signal; and a processor that determines heart signal information, compares it with expected heart signal information, and transmits a notification with the base unit in communication with a remote monitoring system.
Stated Advantages
Enables localized noise suppression or cancellation by determining localized noise at each electrode position and suppressing or canceling it using inserted voltage signals coordinated as a common signal.
Supports detection of heart condition changes by determining heart signal information from the received electrode signals and comparing it with expected heart signal information.
Enables notification transmission based on the comparing to facilitate emergency response via communication with a remote monitoring system.
Documented Applications
Around-the-clock wearable cardiovascular monitoring of a heart condition, including detecting abnormal events and transmitting notifications for emergency response through communication with a remote monitoring system.
Supporting clinician review using digital ECG capture as part of the wearable cardiovascular monitoring system.
Optional use of pulse oximetry and motion sensing concepts in the monitoring system to support abnormal-event detection and reduce the impact of noise and motion on detection.
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