Patent US5257631A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5257631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrocardiographic method and device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-07-21
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Granted: 1993-11-02
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Expires: 2012-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for monitoring heart activity comprises a carrier having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being and a plurality of capacitative metallic foil elements attached to the carrier, the foil elements being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction. A voltage sensing circuit is operatively connected to the foil elements for monitoring voltage levels induced therein upon approximation of the foil elements to a patient's chest.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Wilk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0002; A61B5/0004; A61B5/0006; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for monitoring heart activity, comprising: capacitative coupling means including a plurality of capactitative metallic foil elements for detecting EKG signals, said foil elements being sufficiently large in area to detect voltage potentials through a clothing layer over a person's chest and being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction; carrier means for attaching said foil elements to one another and maintaining said elements in spaced relation to each other, said carrier means having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being; and voltage sensing means operatively connected to said foil elements for monitoring voltage levels induced therein upon approximation of said foil elements to a patient's chest.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for monitoring heart activity, comprising: capacitative coupling means including a plurality of capactitative metallic foil elements for detecting EKG signals, said foil elements being sufficiently large in area to detect voltage potentials through a clothing layer over a person's chest and being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction; carrier means for attaching said foil elements to one another and maintaining said elements in spaced relation to each other, said carrier means having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being; and voltage sensing means operatively connected to said foil elements for monitoring voltage levels induced therein upon approximation of said foil elements to a patient's chest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes means for pressing said foil elements against a patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said means for pressing includes a strap or belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said means for pressing includes a weighted layer of said carrier, said foil elements being connected to said weighted layer along a major surface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device defined in claim 1, further comprising display means operatively connected to said voltage sensing means for displaying electrical heart rhythms of the patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device defined in claim 5 wherein said display means includes a CRT monitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined in claim 5 wherein said display means includes a printer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage sensing means is mounted to said carrier, further comprising transmitter means mounted to said carrier for wirelessly transmitting encoded voltage signals to a remote receiver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device defined in claim 8, further comprising display means operatively connected to said voltage sensing means via said transmitter means and said receiver for displaying electrical heart rhythms of the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage sensing means is connected to said foil elements via a cable.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for monitoring heart activity, comprising the steps of: providing a carrier having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being, capacitative coupling means including a plurality a plurality of capacitative metallic foil elements for detecting EKG signals being attached to said carrier, said foil elements being sufficiently large in area to detect voltage potentials through a clothing layer over a persons's chest and being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction; positioning said carrier over a layer of clothing on a patient's chest to juxtapose said foil elements with predetermined areas of the patient's chest; and automatically monitoring voltage levels induced in said foil elements upon approximation of said foil elements to the patient's chest.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for monitoring heart activity, comprising the steps of: providing a carrier having a size approximately coextensive with the chest of an adult human being, capacitative coupling means including a plurality a plurality of capacitative metallic foil elements for detecting EKG signals being attached to said carrier, said foil elements being sufficiently large in area to detect voltage potentials through a clothing layer over a persons's chest and being spaced from each other in an edge-wise direction; positioning said carrier over a layer of clothing on a patient's chest to juxtapose said foil elements with predetermined areas of the patient's chest; and automatically monitoring voltage levels induced in said foil elements upon approximation of said foil elements to the patient's chest.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of pressing said foil elements against the patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein said step of pressing includes the step of disposing a weighted layer above said foil elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method defined in claim 13 wherein said layer is a part of said carrier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein said step of pressing includes the step of fastening a strap or belt about a rib cage of the patient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting encoded voltage signals to a remote receiver.
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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) | 1996-11-01 | 1997-05-03 | 1997-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-05-03 | 2001-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-01 | 2005-05-03 | 2005-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |