Abstract:
A medical diagnostic/monitoring system is disclosed herein. The medical diagnostic/monitoring system includes a data collection system having a sensor, and a collection device connected to the sensor. The collection device includes a first near field communication device. The medical diagnostic/monitoring system also includes a signal acquisition device wirelessly connected to the data collection system. The signal acquisition device includes a second near field communication device. The first near field communication device and the second near field communication device are collectively configured to wirelessly transfer data from the data collection system to the signal acquisition device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method for acquiring medical data such as, for example, ECG data or EEG data. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a noninvasive test adapted to assess a patient&#39;s heart condition. The ECG can be performed by measuring electrical potential between various locations on the patient&#39;s body. The electrical potential measurements are obtained with a plurality of electrodes secured directly to the patient. The plurality of electrodes are operatively connected to a corresponding plurality of lead wires that are typically physically connected to a signal acquisition device. The physical connection between the plurality of lead wires and the signal acquisition device is generally formed with one or more electrical connectors. 
         [0003]    One problem with conventional ECG systems that implement electrical connectors to physically connect the lead wires with the signal acquisition device is that the electrical connectors are expensive. The expense associated with the electrical connectors adds to the overall cost of the ECG system and also makes it more difficult to economically justify providing systems incorporating disposable leads. Therefore, the leads are generally re-used on multiple patients and must be cleaned and sterilized after each usage. The process of cleaning and sterilizing the leads is costly and time consuming. 
         [0004]    Another problem with conventional ECG systems that implement electrical connectors to physically connect the lead wires with the signal acquisition device is that the electrical connectors are heavy. The added weight can pull on the electrodes attached to the patient which may cause discomfort. Additionally, the weight of some conventional electrical connectors can detach the electrodes from the patient or otherwise decouple the patient from the signal acquisition device. 
         [0005]    Another problem with conventional ECG systems that implement electrical connectors to physically connect the lead wires with the signal acquisition device is that the electrical connectors can become unreliable over time. An unreliable electrical connector can interrupt the signal transferred to the signal acquisition device such that the patient cannot be monitored and/or the resultant ECG data is imprecise. 
         [0006]    Electroencephalogram (EEG) systems incorporate a plurality of electrodes that are applied to a patient&#39;s head in order to assess brain function. EEG systems generally implement electrical connectors to physically couple the plurality of electrodes with a signal acquisition device in a manner similar to that of ECG systems. EEG systems therefore share many of the problems previously described with respect to ECG systems. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment, a medical diagnostic/monitoring system includes a data collection system having a sensor, and a collection device connected to the sensor. The collection device includes a first near field communication device. The medical diagnostic/monitoring system also includes a signal acquisition device wirelessly connected to the data collection system. The signal acquisition device includes a second near field communication device. The first near field communication device and the second near field communication device are collectively configured to wirelessly transfer data from the data collection system to the signal acquisition device. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, an electrocardiogram system includes a data collection system having a sensor, a conductor connected to the sensor, and a collection device connected to the conductor. The collection device includes a first near field communication device. The collection device is configured to be inexpensive and lightweight. The electrocardiogram system also includes a signal acquisition device wirelessly connected to the data collection system. The signal acquisition device includes a second near field communication device. The first near field communication device and the second near field communication device are collectively configured to wirelessly transfer power from the signal acquisition device to the data collection system and to wirelessly transfer data from the data collection system to the signal acquisition device. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method for acquiring electrocardiogram data includes generating an electromagnetic field using a near field communication device, implementing the electromagnetic field to wirelessly transfer power from a signal acquisition device to a data collection system, sensing a cardiac electrical signal with the data collection system, generating an analog signal proportional to the sensed cardiac electrical signal, converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and manipulating the electromagnetic field to wirelessly transfer the digital signal from the data collection system to the signal acquisition device. 
         [0011]    Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a patient connected to a medical diagnostic/monitoring system in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematically represented medical diagnostic/monitoring system  10  is shown. The medical diagnostic/monitoring system  10  will hereinafter be described as an electrocardiogram (ECG) system  10  adapted measure an electrical signal generated by a patient&#39;s heart. It should, however, be appreciated that the medical diagnostic/monitoring system  10  may also include other systems and devices such as, for example, an electroencephalogram (EEG) system, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse oximeter, a thermometer, etc. 
         [0015]    The ECG system  10  includes a data collection system  12  and a signal acquisition device  18 . For purposes of this disclosure, the data collection system  12  should be defined to include a plurality of sensors or transducers such as the electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL, a plurality of conductors such as the lead wires  14 , and a collection device  16 . 
         [0016]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the electrode RA is applied to the patient&#39;s right arm; the electrode LA is applied to the patient&#39;s left arm; the electrodes V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5  and V 6  are applied to the patient&#39;s chest; the electrode RL is applied to the patient&#39;s right leg; and the electrode LL is applied to the patient&#39;s left leg. This application of the electrodes provides a standard twelve lead, ten-electrode ECG signal. It should be appreciated that the electrode configuration of  FIG. 1  is provided for illustrative purposes, and that other electrode configurations can be envisioned. The electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL are adapted to sense or detect cardiac electrical signals generated by the patient&#39;s heart, and to generate analog signals proportional to the detected cardiac electrical signals. 
         [0017]    The lead wires  14  are each adapted to couple one of the electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL with the collection device  16 . The lead wires  14  are configured to transmit the analog signals from the electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL to the collection device  16 . 
         [0018]    The collection device  16  is adapted to collect data from the electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL, and to wirelessly transfer the collected data to the signal acquisition device  18  in a convenient format. Advantageously, the collection device  16  can be configured to be both compact and lightweight. According to one embodiment, the collection device  16  can be produced as a 1.5 by 2.5-inch rectangular patch weighing approximately fifteen grams that is adapted for attachment to a patient&#39;s chest. As the collection device  16  is lightweight and securable to the patient  20 , it is unlikely to pull on the electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL causing patient discomfort or electrode detachment. 
         [0019]    The collection device  16  can also be produced inexpensively, which reduces the overall cost of the data collection system  12 . Advantageously, the low cost of the collection device  16  enables the production of disposable data collection systems  12 . It should be appreciated that it was generally not economically feasible to provide comparable prior art systems that were disposable because the requisite electrical connectors were prohibitively expensive. The data collection system  12  wirelessly transfers data to the signal acquisition system  18  such that the expensive electrical connectors are not required and the overall system cost is reduced. Providing a disposable data collection system  12  eliminates the time and expense associated with cleaning and sterilizing the components after each usage. 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment, the collection device  16  includes an amplifier  22 , a digital/analog (D/A) converter  24 , and a near field communication (NFC) integrated circuit (IC)  26 . The amplifier  22  is provided to boost or amplify the relatively weak cardiac electrical activity in a manner adapted to facilitate the process of interpreting the resultant data. This process is well known and will therefore not be described in detail. The D/A converter  24  is configured to convert the analog signals from the electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL into a digital signal that can be transferred to and processed by the signal acquisition device  18 . 
         [0021]    The NFC IC  26  of the collection device  16  works in combination with a NFC IC  28  of the signal acquisition device  18  in the following manner. The NFC IC  28  produces an electromagnetic field  30  that is operable to wirelessly transmit power and data  32  from the signal acquisition device  18  to the collection device  16 , and which can be manipulated by the NFC IC  26  to wirelessly transmit data  34  from the collection device  16  to the signal acquisition device  18 . Near field communication is well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in detail. 
         [0022]    The transmission of power  32  from the signal acquisition device  18  to the collection device  16  allows the data collection system  12  to operate without its own dedicated power supply. The elimination of a dedicated power supply allows for a lighter and less expensive data collection system  12 . The wireless transmission of data  34  from the collection device  16  to the signal acquisition device  18  allows the data collection system  12  to operate without conventional electrical connectors (not shown) adapted to establish a physical connection between the signal acquisition device  18  and the electrodes RA, LA, V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , RL and LL. The elimination of these conventional electrical connectors further reduces the weight and expense of the data collection system  12 . 
         [0023]    The signal acquisition device  18  may optionally include a monitor  36 . Therefore, after the signal acquisition device  18  receives the data  34  from the collection device  16 , the data  34  can be displayed on the monitor  36  and visually analyzed in a conventional manner. 
         [0024]    While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.