US4066069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heart rate change sensor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-05-18
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A reference heart beat is recirculated for comparison with an actual heart beat. First and second voltages are respectively produced with magnitudes representing the rates of recirculation of the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat. A voltage controlled oscillator produces a signal having a variable frequency dependent upon the differences in the first and second voltages. This signal is used to synchronize the rate of the reference heart beat with the rate of the actual heart beat. The actual heart beat may be separated into progressive segments. The characteristics of the actual heart beat in the progressive segments are compared with the characteristics of the reference heart beat in corresponding segments. An output indication is provided when the characteristics of the actual and reference heart beats in the progressive segments do not coincide. An output indication is also produced when the amplitude of the signals representing the differences between the rates of the actual and reference heart beats experiences abrupt changes.
Inventors
- 👤 Volker Dolch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/024; A61B5/0245; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, first means for prerecording and recirculating a heart beat of the patient, second means for detecting each heart beat of the patient and producing signals representing such heart beat, third means responsive to the signals from the first and second means for producing signals having characteristics representing any differences between the rates of the heart beats from the first and second means, fourth means responsive to the signals from the third means for adjusting the rate of recirculation of the heart beat in the first means in accordance with the characteristics of the signals from the third means, fifth means for comparing the characteristics of the recirculated and detected heart beats, and sixth means responsive to the signals from the fifth means for providing an indication when the detected heart beat has characteristics different from those of the recirculated heart beat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, first means for prerecording and recirculating a heart beat of the patient, second means for detecting each heart beat of the patient and producing signals representing such heart beat, third means responsive to the signals from the first and second means for producing signals having characteristics representing any differences between the rates of the heart beats from the first and second means, fourth means responsive to the signals from the third means for adjusting the rate of recirculation of the heart beat in the first means in accordance with the characteristics of the signals from the third means, fifth means for comparing the characteristics of the recirculated and detected heart beats, and sixth means responsive to the signals from the fifth means for providing an indication when the detected heart beat has characteristics different from those of the recirculated heart beat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein means are included in the fifth means for providing for the introduction of progressive segments of the detected heart beats to the fifth means for comparison with progressive segments of each recirculated heart beat and wherein the sixth means provides an indication when the progressive segments of the detected heart beat have characteristics different from the progressive segments of the recirculated heart beat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein means are included for weighting the comparison in different ones of the progressive segments of the detected heart beat so that the sixth means is operative to produce an indication in the different segments for individual differences in the characteristics of the detected and recirculated heart beats for such segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the third means include first conversion means for providing a first voltage having a magnitude dependent upon the rate of recirculation of the recorded heart beat and second conversion means for providing a second voltage having a magnitude dependent upon the rate of detection of the heart beats and oscillator means responsive to the first and second voltages for producing a signal having a frequency dependent upon the comparative values of the first and second voltages and wherein the fourth means is responsive to the frequency of the signals from the oscillator means for adjusting the rate of recirculation of the recorded heart beats in accordance with such frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, first means for prerecording and recirculating a heart beat of a patient, second means for detecting each heart beat of the patient and producing signals representing such heart beat, third means responsive to the signals from the first and second means for producing signals having characteristics representing any differences between the rates of the heart beats from the first and second means, fourth means responsive to the signals from the third means for producing signals having a variable frequency in accordance with variations in the difference signals from the third means, fifth means responsive to the signals from the fourth means for producing an output indication upon abrupt changes in the frequency of the signals from the fourth means, and sixth means responsive to the signals from the fourth means for varying the rate of recirculation of the prerecorded heart beat in accordance with the characteristics of the signal from the fourth means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, first means for prerecording and recirculating a heart beat of a patient, second means for detecting each heart beat of the patient and producing signals representing such heart beat, third means responsive to the signals from the first and second means for producing signals having characteristics representing any differences between the rates of the heart beats from the first and second means, fourth means responsive to the signals from the third means for producing signals having a variable frequency in accordance with variations in the difference signals from the third means, fifth means responsive to the signals from the fourth means for producing an output indication upon abrupt changes in the frequency of the signals from the fourth means, and sixth means responsive to the signals from the fourth means for varying the rate of recirculation of the prerecorded heart beat in accordance with the characteristics of the signal from the fourth means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
The combination set fourth in claim 5 wherein the third means include first voltage means for providing a first voltage having a magnitude dependent upon the rate of recirculation of the recorded heart beat and second voltage means for providing a second voltage having a magnitude dependent upon the rate of detection of the heart beats and oscillator means responsive to the first and second voltages for producing a signal having a frequency dependent upon the comparative values of the first and second voltages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination set forth in claim 6 including means for controlling the passage of signals from the oscillator means to provide a coincidence between rate of recurrence of the the recirculated and detected heart beats.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein the fifth means includes differentiating means responsive to changes in the magnitudes of the signals from the third means for differentiating such signals to emphasize the signals having frequencies variable at a rate above a particular value and also includes window comparator means for passing from the differentiating means only signals representing abrupt changes in the rate of the detected heart beats.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
In combination for detecting changes in heart beat of a patient, first means for prerecording a heart beat of the patient as a reference and for recirculating the prerecorded heart beat at an adjustable frequency to reproduce the prerecorded heart beat on a periodic basis, second means for detecting the heart beat of the patient and for producing signals representing the detected heart beat, third means responsive to the signals from the first and second means for adjusting the rate of the recirculated heart beat to correspond to the rate of the detected heart beat, fourth means for detecting changes in the rate of the recirculated heart beat above a particular value, and fifth means responsive to the detected heart beat and the recirculated heart beat for detecting a lack of correspondence between the characteristics of such heart beats.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
In combination for detecting changes in heart beat of a patient, first means for prerecording a heart beat of the patient as a reference and for recirculating the prerecorded heart beat at an adjustable frequency to reproduce the prerecorded heart beat on a periodic basis, second means for detecting the heart beat of the patient and for producing signals representing the detected heart beat, third means responsive to the signals from the first and second means for adjusting the rate of the recirculated heart beat to correspond to the rate of the detected heart beat, fourth means for detecting changes in the rate of the recirculated heart beat above a particular value, and fifth means responsive to the detected heart beat and the recirculated heart beat for detecting a lack of correspondence between the characteristics of such heart beats.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination set forth in claim 9, including, sixth means responsive to the fourth and fifth means for providing an output indication when at least one of the following occurs (a) the fourth means detects adjustments in the rate of the recirculated heart beat above the particular value or (b) the fifth means detects a lack of correspondence between the characteristics of the detected heart beat and the recirculated heart beat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein means are provided for separating each of the detected heart beats into progressive time portions and the sixth means detects a lack of correspondence in the characteristics of such progressive portions with corresponding portions in the recirculated heart beat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein means are included for weighting the comparison between the detected heart beats and the reference heart beats in the progressive portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, means for providing signals representing a reference heart beat of the patient on a recurrent basis, means for providing signals representing the actual heart beat of the patient, means for comparing the rates of occurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat to provide an error signal representing any differences in rate, means responsive to the error signal for adjusting the recurrent rate of the signals representing the reference heart beat in a direction to minimize such error signal, and means responsive to the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat for comparing the characteristics representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat to provide an output signal when the characteristics of the signals representing the actual heart beat do not correspond to the characteristics of the signals representing the reference heart beat.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, means for providing signals representing a reference heart beat of the patient on a recurrent basis, means for providing signals representing the actual heart beat of the patient, means for comparing the rates of occurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat to provide an error signal representing any differences in rate, means responsive to the error signal for adjusting the recurrent rate of the signals representing the reference heart beat in a direction to minimize such error signal, and means responsive to the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat for comparing the characteristics representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat to provide an output signal when the characteristics of the signals representing the actual heart beat do not correspond to the characteristics of the signals representing the reference heart beat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
112 words
The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein the comparing means for the rates of occurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat include first means for providing first signals having characteristics representing the rate of recurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and second means for providing second signals having characteristics representing the rate of recurrence of the signals representing the actual heart beat and wherein the adjusting means includes oscillator means responsive to the characteristics of the first and second signals for adjusting the recurrent rate of the signals representing the reference heart beat in accordance with any difference in such characteristics.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
135 words
The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein the comparing means for the rates of occurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat include first means for providing a first voltage having a magnitude representing the rate of recurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and second means for providing a second voltage having a magnitude representing the rate of the actual heart heart beat and wherein the adjusting means include a voltage controlled oscillator for providing a signal having a frequency variable in accordance with any difference in the magnitude of the first and second voltages for introducing the signal having the variable frequency to the signal means for the reference heart beat to adjust the recurrent rate of the signals representing the reference heart beat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination set forth in claim 15, including, means responsive to the first and second voltages for providing signals representing at each instant the differences between such voltages and means responsive to the difference signals for providing an output indication when the amplitude of such difference signals changes at a rate greater than a particular level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 13, including, means responsive to the error signal for providing an output indication when the error signal has characteristics different from particular limits.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein means are included for weighting the comparison between the actual and reference heart beats at progressive instants of time in each heart beat.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
121 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, means for providing signals representing a reference heart beat of the patient on a recurrent basis, means for providing signals representing the actual heart beat of the patient, means for comparing the rates of recurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat to provide an error signal representing any differences in rate, means responsive to the error signal for adjusting the recurrent rate of the signals representing the reference heart beat in a direction to minimize such error signals, and means responsive to the error signal for providing an output signal when the error signal varies at a rate above a particular value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
121 words
In combination for detecting changes in the heart beat of a patient, means for providing signals representing a reference heart beat of the patient on a recurrent basis, means for providing signals representing the actual heart beat of the patient, means for comparing the rates of recurrence of the signals representing the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat to provide an error signal representing any differences in rate, means responsive to the error signal for adjusting the recurrent rate of the signals representing the reference heart beat in a direction to minimize such error signals, and means responsive to the error signal for providing an output signal when the error signal varies at a rate above a particular value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
133 words
The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein the comparing means include a first frequency-to-voltage converter for providing a first signal having voltage characteristics representing the rate of recurrence of the signals representing the recurrent heart beat and a second frequency-to-voltage converter for providing a second signal having voltage characteristics representing the rate of recurrence of the signals representing the actual heart beat and a voltage-controlled oscillator responsive to the voltage characteristics of the first and second signals for providing the error signals with frequency characteristics representing the difference in the voltage characteristics of the first and second signals and wherein the adjusting means include means responsive to the frequency characteristics of the error signals for adjusting the recurrent rate of the signals representing the recurrent heart beat to minimize such frequency characteristics.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
123 words
The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein the comparing means include first means for providing a first voltage having a magnitude representing the rate of recurrence of the signals representing the recurrent heart beat and second means for providing a second voltage having a magnitude representing the rate of the actual heart beat and third means for providing an error signal having a voltage corresponding to the difference in the first and second voltages and the adjusting means includes a voltage controlled oscillator responsive to the error signal for producing a signal having a frequency variable in accordance with the magnitude of the error voltage and wherein the output signal means provides an output signal when the error signal has abrupt changes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination set forth in claim 21 wherein means are responsive to the reference heart beat and the actual heart beat for providing an output indication when the characteristics of the actual heart beat do not correspond to the characteristics of the reference heart beat.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
84 words
The combination set forth in claim 19, including, means responsive to the actual heart beat for separating the heart beat into progressive segments, means for comparing the characteristics of the heart beat in the progressive segments with the characteristics of the reference heart beat in the progressive segments, and means for producing an output signal when there is a particular lack of comparison between the characteristics of the progressive segments of the actual heart beat and the corresponding segments of the reference heart beat.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 23 wherein means are included for weighting the comparison in the progressive segments of the actual and reference heart beats.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |