Abstract Apparatus for monitoring the heartbeat rate of a patient comprising deriving, with pulse forming circuitry, electrical signals representative of heartbeat activity on a beat-to-beat data basis, a gating unit for normally passing the electrical signals, a first unit analyzing three successive ones of the electrical signals by a pair of credence checkers each having a preselected frequency tolerance to define a first criterion for distinguishing valid data and artifact and inhibiting operation of the gating unit upon detection of artifact, and a storage unit for receiving and averaging valid data over a period of three successive heartbeats to provide an output indicative of heartbeat rate. A second analyzing unit compares the third one of said signals with the last passed good data to define a second criterion for distinguishing valid data and artifact and upon detection of valid data inhibiting any effect on the gating unit by the first analyzer unit. Passed values are averaged and displayed and a visible indication denotes occurrence of an artifact.
Apparatus for monitoring the heartbeat of a patient comprising: means for deriving electrical signals representative of heartbeat activity on a beat-to-beat data basis; gating means for normally passing said electrical signals and actuable to inhibit the passing of selected one(s) of said signals; first analyzing means for selectively comparing three consecutive ones of said electrical signals to define a first criterion for distinguishing valid data and artifact and actuating said gating means upon detection of artifact, output storage means for receiving and averaging valid data over a period of three successive heartbeats to provide an output indicative of heartbeat rate; second analyzing means for comparing the third one of said signals with the last passed valid data to define a second criterion for distinguishing valid data and artifact and upon detection of valid data preventing actuation of said gating means by the first analyzer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for monitoring the heartbeat of a patient comprising: means for deriving electrical signals representative of heartbeat activity on a beat-to-beat data basis; gating means for normally passing said electrical signals and actuable to inhibit the passing of selected one(s) of said signals; first analyzing means for selectively comparing three consecutive ones of said electrical signals to define a first criterion for distinguishing valid data and artifact and actuating said gating means upon detection of artifact, output storage means for receiving and averaging valid data over a period of three successive heartbeats to provide an output indicative of heartbeat rate; second analyzing means for comparing the third one of said signals with the last passed valid data to define a second criterion for distinguishing valid data and artifact and upon detection of valid data preventing actuation of said gating means by the first analyzer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first analyzer means compares within a predetermined frequency tolerance a first and second one of said signal values and the second and a third one of said signal values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second analyzer means makes a comparison within a predetermined frequency tolerance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including indicator means energized upon actuation of said gating means for indicating the detection of artifact.