Abstract:
An ECG monitoring apparatus is coupled to a conventional (e.g., plain paper) printer. The apparatus can be mechanically coupled as a removable portion of the assembly or can be integrated directly into the printer design.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is based upon provisional patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/431,459, filed Dec. 5, 2002, under 35 USC §119(e) the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to the field of electrocardiography (ECG), and more particularly to apparatus and a related method for adapting ECG monitoring equipment with conventional (e.g., plain paper) printers.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is commonly known that ECGs are used to monitor electrical activity of the heart of a patient. A set of electrodes and leadwires are attached to the body of a patient and the resulting waveforms detected by each of the leads are outputted, typically to a thermal paper printer attached to the ECG monitor. Thermal paper is quite expensive and often difficult to work with in that this paper easily smears, such that the output is often not very distinguishable.  
           [0004]    PC-based ECG monitoring systems have been introduced, such as those developed by Marquette and Hewlett Packard, among others, permit results to be printed from a computer, but to date there is no known technique for interconnecting ECG monitoring apparatus with conventional printers without providing computer interconnections.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is a primary object of the present invention to solve the above-noted problems of the prior art.  
           [0006]    It is another primary object of the present invention to improve the overall capability of ECG monitoring apparatus and to improve the reliability of data captured by such apparatus in a cost effective and convenient manner.  
           [0007]    Therefore and according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ECG monitoring apparatus which is directly interconnected to a conventional printer, such as an HP ink jet or other desktop printer, such that ECG results can be printed onto plain paper without requiring a separate interconnection between a computer and the printer.  
           [0008]    The ECG monitoring apparatus can be connected to the printer in the form of a snap-fitted, hinged or other form of releasable connection or alternatively can be more directly integrated therebetween. The monitoring apparatus preferably includes a display, as well as control means for controlling the operation of the printer once connected therewith, such that ECG results can be selectively displayed by the ECG monitoring apparatus and/or printed.  
           [0009]    In another preferred embodiment, the monitoring apparatus, including the printer, can be mutually supported on a cart or other supporting structure wherein the printer and the monitoring apparatus can be integrated together or simply provided together on the same support (e.g., cart), thereby further enhancing overall capability and versatility of a monitoring system.  
           [0010]    The herein described system can further provide for data entry using a keypad or other user interface that is provided with the monitoring portion of the assembly, permitting patient specific information to be added into a memory. For example, the monitoring system can be equipped with a programmable ASIC.  
           [0011]    An advantage of the present invention is that color or other forms of plain paper printing is possible, thereby eliminating the need for thermal paper and associated problems resulting therefrom. Furthermore, the inventive concepts described herein are designed to be universally applicable to literally any form of commercially available printer without significant modifications being required.  
           [0012]    These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following Detailed Description which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of an ECG monitoring apparatus including a shroud section that is removably detached from a conventional printer and made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective view of the ECG monitoring apparatus of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a partial front perspective view of an ECG monitoring apparatus made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, herein illustrating the apparatus in an open position;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the ECG monitoring apparatus of FIG. 3 in a closed operational configuration;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an ECG monitoring apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a side view of an ECG monitoring apparatus made in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the apparatus in a partially assembled condition;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the ECG monitoring apparatus of FIG. 6, illustrating the apparatus in an assembled configuration;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a side view of an ECG monitoring apparatus made in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the apparatus in a partially assembled condition;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the ECG monitoring apparatus of FIG. 8, illustrating the apparatus in an assembled condition;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an ECG monitoring apparatus made in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an ECG monitoring apparatus made in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    The following description relates to certain embodiments of an ECG monitoring apparatus and several adaptive means for combining same with a conventional computer ink-jet or other form of printer. It will be understood that variations and modifications are possible within the intended scope and spirit of the invention and that this description is intended only to provide suitable examples.  
         [0025]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an apparatus made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  includes a ECG monitoring portion  14  comprising a cover or shroud assembly  18  that is removably attachable to a conventional computer printer  22 , such as any Hewlett Packard ink jet printer, such as those, for example, in the Laser Jet family of products. In this instance, the shroud assembly  18  includes a pair of shell-like members preferably constructed from a moldable plastic material, including a top piece  33  sized to substantially cover the entire periphery (top, sides, and rear) of the printer  22  and a base  34  disposed beneath the printer. The top piece  33  according to this embodiment is releasably snap-fitted through slots  26  that engage with corresponding tabs  30  projecting from lateral sides of the base  34 , the tabs being in compressive contact with lateral sides of the printer  22 .  
         [0026]    The top piece  33  further includes a slotted frontal portion  38  that accommodates the paper dispense tray  42  and paper loader  46  of the retained printer  22  and provides user access therewith once the shroud assembly  18  is attached, as shown in FIG. 2. The shroud assembly  18  includes control circuitry therein and electrically interfaces with the printer  22  by means of cabling provided in the rear thereof that interfaces with the serial port of the printer. Alternately, other suitable connections can be employed to connect same.  
         [0027]    The shroud assembly  18  as noted is part of an ECG monitoring portion  14  of the overall assembly  10  and includes a port  50  that is sized to receive the snap-fitting connector  54  of an electrode assembly  58 . The electrode assembly  58  includes a number of patient connectable leads  62  having attached electrodes that are tethered individually and releasably connected to the outer periphery of a central housing  66 , the housing being extremely compact and including therein a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP) as well as an analog to digital converter for capturing signals from the electrodes and transmitting same to the shroud section  18  through a cable  56  terminating in the snap-fitting connector  54 . The top piece  33  of the shroud assembly  18  further includes a user control interface  70  comprising a plurality of control buttons  70  that are used to operate the printer as well as an LCD  74  capable of producing a real-time graphical depiction of the waveforms produced by the multiple leads  62  (e.g.,  12  lead,  15  lead) of the electrode assembly  58 . Preferably, the assembly  10  can be battery-powered or can derive power from the printer  22 , the electrode assembly  58 , or a separate power supply.  
         [0028]    As noted, the interconnection of the shroud assembly  18  of the ECG monitoring portion  14  to the printer  22  includes not only a mechanical connection but also a suitable electrical connection through either a USB, RS-232 or other suitable connection, enabling the ECG waveform signals produced by the electrode assembly  58  to be printed upon demand through use control buttons provided in the user interface  70 . The user interface  70  further includes an alphanumeric keypad  78  wherein the shroud assembly  18  can further include a programmable ASIC so as to permit data entry, such as patient-related data, to be stored.  
         [0029]    Variations upon this embodiment are herein described by way of example. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an assembly  100  in accordance with a second embodiment is illustrated. The assembly  110  also includes an ECG monitoring section  114  is used in conjunction with a conventional printer  122 , such as previously described. In lieu of a tab/slot connection, a shroud or cover assembly  118  includes a top piece  133  that is pivotally connected via a hinged connection  164  to the rear of a corresponding base  134 , the printer  122  being retained therein, permitting the retained printer to be accessed as needed from the front side  123  thereof, for example, to remove paper, or to replace paper and/or toner cartridges. The top piece  133  includes a pair of sliders  135  on lateral sides thereof which engage corresponding slots  137  in the base  134  thereby permitting the top piece to be opened and closed, as shown by arrow  151  in FIG. 3.  
         [0030]    It should be noted in passing that the shroud assembly  118  of FIGS. 3 and 4 is slightly different in appearance and functionality in terms of a provided LCD/display  132  and/or user control interface  136 . This specific illustration is merely intended to be exemplary and therefore it should be readily apparent to one of sufficient skill that certain depicted features, for example, the necessity or size of a display can be easily varied or modified depending on needs and requirements of a given system or printer or user interface.  
         [0031]    Otherwise, this version is similar to the preceding wherein an electrode assembly  158  is attached by means of a snap-fitting connector  154  at the end of a tethered cable  156 , the electrode assembly including a central housing  166  and a set of releasably attached leads  168  to which electrodes are connected for attachment to the body of a patient. The central housing  166  preferably includes an analog to digital converter and a microprocessor for processing and filtering the signals from the appropriate leads. The snap-fitting connector  154  is fitted into a port  150  providing electrical connection with the shroud assembly  118  and in which prints can be made using buttons provided on the control user interface  136 .  
         [0032]    Still further variations are possible depending, for example, on the location of the serial port of the printer being utilized. According to FIG. 5, and as opposed to a cover-like assembly which essentially houses the printer, an ECG monitoring assembly  318  can be otherwise mounted or integrated with a conventional printer  322 . In this embodiment, the ECG monitoring assembly  318  is attached to a printer  322 , the monitoring assembly including a flip-up top piece  333  which permits access, see arrow  335 , to the toner cartridges of the printer  322  once attached thereto through its serial port. The monitoring assembly  318 , as in the preceding versions, includes control circuitry as well as a control user interface and an LCD and is tethered, also as in the preceding, to an ECG electrode assembly  358 , partially shown in this Fig. A storage receptacle  370  is also included for storing spare leads and similar apparatus.  
         [0033]    Still other variations are possible. For example and as shown in the assembly  400  depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, a printer  422  is illustrated that includes a front port serial connection, shown more adequately in FIG. 6. In this instance, a separate releasably attached ECG monitoring assembly  418  is attached by means to the front of the printer  422 , the assembly including an LCD  430  and a user interface  434  as well as control circuitry, as previously described, which permits operation of the printer using the interface once connected as shown in FIG. 6 using a USB or other suitable cable  450  extending from the rear of the monitoring assembly  418  that is then connected electrically to the serial port of the printer. The monitoring assembly  418  is relatively compact and is positioned over the existing user interface of the printer  422  so as not to interfere with access to the paper tray or toner cartridges.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 8 and 9 depict an assembly  500  made in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the printer  522  includes a rear serial connection port. An ECG monitoring portion  518  of the assembly  500  is constructed with a top piece  532 , a rear piece  534  and a base  536 , respectively, so as to essentially support the top, bottom and rear, respectively, of a suitably positioned printer  522  as shown in FIG. 9. The base  536  includes a pair of arms  540 , one of which includes a port  544  for receiving an ECG electrode assembly  558  such as previously described.  
         [0035]    The top piece  532  of the monitoring portion  518  includes an LCD  550  as well as a user interface  554  for controlling the operation of the printer  522  once connected through a serial cord  546 . In this instance, the printer  522  can also be operated manually using the printer controls which are also accessible.  
         [0036]    Rather than using a table or desk-top version as previously described in each of the foregoing, FIGS. 10 and 11 depict versions of the present invention whereby a conventional printer and ECG monitoring apparatus can be maintained within a single supporting structure. Referring to FIG. 10, the printer and ECG monitoring apparatus can be integrally incorporated, for example, by means of an assembly such as  500  previously described above in FIGS. 8 and 9, on the shelf of a wheeled cart  608 . The cart  608  includes a vertical support and a plurality of shelves or as in the case of this embodiment, storage baskets  614 ,  618  to permit storage of items, such as spare leads, electrodes, and the like. The vertical support of the cart  608  is connected to a horizontal base  612 , having wheels or casters  618 , to permit wheeled movement of the structure.  
         [0037]    An alternative design is illustrated in FIG. 11 in which a cart  708  includes a plurality of shelves  714 ,  718  attached to a vertical support, wherein a printer  722  and monitoring assembly  726  such as previously described are separately maintained thereupon. As in the preceding, the cart  708  includes a horizontal base  712 , as well as wheels  716  or casters to permit movement of the assembly.  
         [0038]    Carts or similar supporting structures as depicted herein provides advantages for the physician or caregiver in terms of overall mobility and adaptability. The cart further includes sufficient storage capability for spare leads, electrodes, gel, cables, paper and the like. Though the preceding are exemplary, it should be readily apparent that similar variations could easily be imagined by one of sufficient skill in the field.  
       PARTS LIST FOR FIGS.  1 - 11   
       [0039]    [0039] 10  apparatus  
         [0040]    [0040] 14  ECG monitoring portion  
         [0041]    [0041] 18  cover or shroud assembly  
         [0042]    [0042] 22  printer  
         [0043]    [0043] 26  slots  
         [0044]    [0044] 30  tabs  
         [0045]    [0045] 33  top piece  
         [0046]    [0046] 34  base  
         [0047]    [0047] 38  slotted frontal portion  
         [0048]    [0048] 42  paper dispense tray  
         [0049]    [0049] 46  paper loader  
         [0050]    [0050] 50  port  
         [0051]    [0051] 54  snap-fitting connector  
         [0052]    [0052] 56  cable  
         [0053]    [0053] 58  electrode assembly  
         [0054]    [0054] 62  releasably attached leads  
         [0055]    [0055] 66  central housing  
         [0056]    [0056] 70  user control interface  
         [0057]    [0057] 74  LCD  
         [0058]    [0058] 78  keypad  
         [0059]    [0059] 100  assembly  
         [0060]    [0060] 114  ECG monitoring portion  
         [0061]    [0061] 118  shroud assembly  
         [0062]    [0062] 122  printer  
         [0063]    [0063] 123  front  
         [0064]    [0064] 132  LCD  
         [0065]    [0065] 133  top piece  
         [0066]    [0066] 134  base  
         [0067]    [0067] 135  sliders  
         [0068]    [0068] 136  user control interface  
         [0069]    [0069] 137  slots  
         [0070]    [0070] 150  port  
         [0071]    [0071] 151  arrow  
         [0072]    [0072] 154  snap-fitting connector  
         [0073]    [0073] 156  cable  
         [0074]    [0074] 158  electrode assembly  
         [0075]    [0075] 162  releasably connected leads  
         [0076]    [0076] 164  hinged connection  
         [0077]    [0077] 166  central housing  
         [0078]    [0078] 300  assembly  
         [0079]    [0079] 318  monitoring assembly  
         [0080]    [0080] 322  printer  
         [0081]    [0081] 333  top piece  
         [0082]    [0082] 335  arrow  
         [0083]    [0083] 358  electrode assembly  
         [0084]    [0084] 370  storage receptacle  
         [0085]    [0085] 400  assembly  
         [0086]    [0086] 418  monitoring assembly  
         [0087]    [0087] 422  printer  
         [0088]    [0088] 430  LCD  
         [0089]    [0089] 434  user interface  
         [0090]    [0090] 450  serial cable  
         [0091]    [0091] 500  assembly  
         [0092]    [0092] 518  ECG monitoring assembly  
         [0093]    [0093] 522  printer  
         [0094]    [0094] 532  top piece  
         [0095]    [0095] 534  back piece  
         [0096]    [0096] 536  base  
         [0097]    [0097] 540  arm  
         [0098]    [0098] 544  port  
         [0099]    [0099] 546  serial cable  
         [0100]    [0100] 550  LCD  
         [0101]    [0101] 554  user interface  
         [0102]    [0102] 558  electrode assembly  
         [0103]    [0103] 600  assembly  
         [0104]    [0104] 608  cart  
         [0105]    [0105] 612  base  
         [0106]    [0106] 614  storage basket  
         [0107]    [0107] 616  wheels  
         [0108]    [0108] 618  storage basket  
         [0109]    [0109] 700  assembly  
         [0110]    [0110] 704  shelf  
         [0111]    [0111] 708  cart  
         [0112]    [0112] 712  base  
         [0113]    [0113] 714  shelf  
         [0114]    [0114] 716  wheels  
         [0115]    [0115] 718  shelf  
         [0116]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.