US5564429A
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Method of identifying valid signal-carrying channels in a cardiorespiratory alert system
Assignee: VitalScan Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-20
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2014-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A cardiorespiratory alert system is described which comprises a patient unit which communicates with a caregiver unit, via an optional central base station in a Hospital Configuration, or via a base station in an Alternate Site/Home Configuration. A number of techniques are employed to provide a system which provides alerts to the caregiver unit when life-threatening conditions are detected in the patient, yet is tolerant to the presence of artifact so that false positives are reduced. The present invention utilizes patient cooperation as well as a number of artifact reducing mechanisms to provide increased immunity to artifact.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Bornn
- 👤 Jeff L. Levinsky
- 👤 Robert D. Ricks
- 👤 Laura A. Worth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/683; A61B5/6831; A61B5/0002; A61B5/0004; A61B5/0006; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/113; A61B5/1135; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/282; A61B5/41; A61B5/411; G; G16; G16H; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; G16H40/67; G16Z; G16Z99/00; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0204; A61B2560/0209; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/22; A61B2562/221; A61B2562/222; A61B5/74; A61B5/7465; A61B5/747; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/903; Y10S128/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A method for identifying which channels from among a plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels are carrying valid information, wherein each channel has a ecg signal comprising a series of beats which are separated from one another, the method comprising the steps of maintaining a set of valid channels each of which has beats which are separated from one another by no more than a predetermined amount; searching among the plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels for channels with regular beats whenever there is only one or no valid channels in the set of valid channels; periodically checking the channels in the valid set to determine whether the separation between beats in the valid channels exceeds a maximum pulse separation amount; removing channels from the valid set which have beat separations which exceed the maximum pulse separation amount; adding a channel from among the plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels to the valid set when a new beat for that channel is within a synch -- factor of a latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; rejecting a channel from among the plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels from inclusion in the valid set when a new beat for that channel is not within a synch -- factor of the latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; and issuing as an output a selected beat from a valid channel, where the selected beat is the most recently received of the beats of the valid channels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
251 words
A method for identifying which channels from among a plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels are carrying valid information, wherein each channel has a ecg signal comprising a series of beats which are separated from one another, the method comprising the steps of maintaining a set of valid channels each of which has beats which are separated from one another by no more than a predetermined amount; searching among the plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels for channels with regular beats whenever there is only one or no valid channels in the set of valid channels; periodically checking the channels in the valid set to determine whether the separation between beats in the valid channels exceeds a maximum pulse separation amount; removing channels from the valid set which have beat separations which exceed the maximum pulse separation amount; adding a channel from among the plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels to the valid set when a new beat for that channel is within a synch -- factor of a latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; rejecting a channel from among the plurality of ecg signal-carrying channels from inclusion in the valid set when a new beat for that channel is not within a synch -- factor of the latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; and issuing as an output a selected beat from a valid channel, where the selected beat is the most recently received of the beats of the valid channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of searching for valid channels includes the steps of determining an average interval between beats in the channel; determining whether an interval between any two sequential beats exceeds a predetermined maximum variability amount; and designating as valid those channels in which none of the intervals between any two sequential beats exceed the predetermined maximum variability amount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 2 further including the steps of checking the channels within the valid set for regular beats; and removing the channels from the valid channel set when regular beats are not found in any of the channels in the valid set; searching any channel not in the valid set for regular beats, including the steps of outputting the beats from any channel for which regular beats are found; and placing the channel for which regular beats are found into the valid channel set.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the signals being evaluated further include pulse signals.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
251 words
A method for identifying which channels from among a plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels are carrying valid information, wherein each channel has a pulse signal comprising a series of beats which are separated from one another, the method comprising the steps of, maintaining a set of valid channels each of which has beats which are separated from one another by no more than a predetermined amount; searching among the plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels for channels with regular beats whenever there is only one or no valid channels in the set of valid channels; periodically checking the channels in the valid set to determine whether the separation between beats in the valid channels exceeds a maximum pulse separation amount; removing channels from the valid set which have beat separations which exceed the maximum pulse separation amount; adding a channel from among the plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels to the valid set when a new beat for that channel is within a synch -- factor of a latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; rejecting a channel from among the plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels from inclusion in the valid set when a new beat for that channel is not within a synch -- factor of the latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; and issuing as an output a selected beat from a valid channel, where the selected beat is the most recently received of the beats of the valid channels.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
251 words
A method for identifying which channels from among a plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels are carrying valid information, wherein each channel has a pulse signal comprising a series of beats which are separated from one another, the method comprising the steps of, maintaining a set of valid channels each of which has beats which are separated from one another by no more than a predetermined amount; searching among the plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels for channels with regular beats whenever there is only one or no valid channels in the set of valid channels; periodically checking the channels in the valid set to determine whether the separation between beats in the valid channels exceeds a maximum pulse separation amount; removing channels from the valid set which have beat separations which exceed the maximum pulse separation amount; adding a channel from among the plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels to the valid set when a new beat for that channel is within a synch -- factor of a latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; rejecting a channel from among the plurality of pulse signal-carrying channels from inclusion in the valid set when a new beat for that channel is not within a synch -- factor of the latest beat for the channels already in the valid set of channels; and issuing as an output a selected beat from a valid channel, where the selected beat is the most recently received of the beats of the valid channels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |