The invention is a precordial pad for positioning EKG electrodes on a patient for anatomically correct and repeatable placement. Data can be transmitted from the EKG pad of the invention by wire or wireless means. The pad includes a sizing aid, and a positioning device. The invention is also a system for obtaining and sending EKG data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an EKG contact electrode pad, and more particularly relates to EKG contact pads with temperature sensors, sizing selection, and placing means.

2. Background Information

Electrocardiography (EKG, ECG) is a medical test for recording the electrical activity of the heart. In the standard twelve lead EKG there are twelve (12) different wires that carry electrical signals from the area of the body to which they are attached. Certain leads are attached to the person's chest in six standard areas. These are known as precordial leads. Four of the twelve leads are the four limb electrodes: right wrist, left wrist, right ankle and left ankle. In some cases, the placing of two extra lead electrodes in the right side of the patient's chest allows the possibility to record the EKG of the right heart. The limb leads are designated RL, RF, LL, and LF, and attach respectively to the two ankles and the two wrists of the patient. The precordial leads are designated as V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, and V6, and the leads for the right side of the heart are designated VR1 and VR2. The limb leads can be placed in an “adjusted” position, rather than on the extremities. The adjusted position for the limb leads are on the torso of the patient.

From the time of the invention of EKG to present usage, each electrode is generally connected separately to the EKG recorder by wire. This means that, for the routine twelve lead EKG, we need at least ten (10) separate electrodes attached to standard anatomical positions and ten (10) wires that go separately to the EKG machine. In the configurations including the right heart EKG, they will become twelve (12) separate electrodes. These standard electrode placements can also be used for electrodes for an external pacemaker, a defibrillation device, and for real time heart monitoring of the patients in critical care units.

The results of the EKG will be printed as a graph on standard paper or shown on the monitor. EKG is the most commonly used diagnostic test in medicine for evaluating the function of the heart. Reading the EKG is very important in patient management, as the difference between a normal and an abnormal reading can be measured in millimeters on the chart. Correct placement of electrodes in the standard positions, attachment to the skin, perfect conductivity, and the least artifacts as possible in the recording are the keys in the repeatability, accuracy, and reliability of this procedure. For the best performance, a skilled physician or technician should place the electrodes. With the currently available methods of electrode placement, there can be significant errors produced in the EKG recordings. For example, one person may place the electrodes in a different position than another person, and the same person can place them in another position at a different time. Even if placed predictability, it could be placed in a wrong anatomical position.

Thus, in the conventional placement of the electrodes, the repeatability, accuracy, and reliability of the data are suspect, especially in emergency situations when procedures are carried out rapidly and in difficult situations.

Therefore, what is needed are repeatability, consistency, and accuracy in the placement of electrodes for an EKG recording on the same patient with different users, or on different patients by the same user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects, as well as others, are accomplished by the EKG pad of the invention. The repeatability is provided by an array of electrodes that are mounted in a disposable precordial pad. The precordial pad of the invention has an array of EKG electrodes and a temperature sensor distributed on a flexible, multi-layer material. The flexible material forms a pad body, which has an outer surface and a body surface. The body surface of the precordial pad body includes an adhesive layer, which stabilizes the pad on a person's torso and ensures that the readings are taken during a test from one, and only one, position on the patient's chest. The adhesive layer of the precordial pad is covered until it is ready for use. The precordial pad is covered by an adhesive cover, which is stripped off to expose the adhesive surface when the pad is ready to be used. The body surface also includes conductive electrodes and a temperature sensor, which will contact the patient's skin.

The pad also has a middle layer, which is the main circuit layer. The circuit layer includes a printed circuit that collects all data from all applicable electrodes, sensors, and attachments of the pad and brings them to the one area on the outer surface of the pad. The circuit layer is designed and made to be capable of tolerating higher voltages that may be used for defibrillation. The printed circuit can be made of copper, conductive ink, or other electrically conductive material.

The outer surface pad also includes a signal export area. This is where the data-transmitting module attaches to the pad and carries all of the signals from one point to the EKG machine. The signal export module can be a wireless transmitter that transmits data from the precordial pad to the EKG machine via the system adaptor. The module is also capable of transmitting data via a conventional wiring harness, as single cable includes a bundle of wires leaving the main precordial pad to a designed universal adaptor of the invention, which is connected to an EKG machine.

The invention is also a system for taking the EKG of a patient, which has a capability of performing defibrillation, external pacing, and monitoring the patient's heart at the same time and with the same precordial pad. The system includes a disposable EKG precordial pad as described above, as well as some additional components. The additional components include a measuring device, which is used to measure the size of the patient's test area such as his chest or torso. Depending on the size of the patient's test area, a size of precordial pad is selected based on the testing system of the invention. For instance, sizes 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be available for various sizes of patients. Sizing can also include consideration for gender, as pads for males are likely to be larger than those for females. Pad sizes can also be designated as Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, etc. Other designations are obviously possible and would be related to an indication on the measuring device of the invention. The correct size of the pad can also be determined based on the patient's gender and shirt size.

The system includes a positioning device, which can be used to measure a patient for pad size, as well as aid the caregiver in positioning a pad correctly on a patient. The positioning device of the system is used with the well-known anatomical marker on the human chest called the Supra Sternal Notch. By placing a curved edge of the positioning device on the patient's supra sternal notch, the precordial pad can be placed accurately and consistently in the anatomically correct position, with the electrodes thus placed correctly. This feature allows non-professional users to place the EKG electrodes on themselves with high accuracy. This has not been possible with EKG electrodes in the prior art.

The pad is also composed of materials to be translucent to the X-Ray so patients can wear the pad while they are being x-rayed. The pad is also designed and composed of materials to be water resistant and waterproof. The pad is also from biocompatible material to make the least allergic reaction for the patients. The pad may also be worn while the patient is getting an MRI.

The Signal Export Module is another part of this system. This has an interface for connection to the signal export area of the pad. The signal export module receives signals from the related electrodes and sensors. It can include a connection site for connection of a single cable, which can be used to transmit the data to the universal adaptor. The cable can be regular wire or fiber optic. The module also can contain a micro-transmitter to transmit data wirelessly to the universal adaptor. This will have the benefit of wireless transmission and can utilize bluetooth, infrared, wi-fi, or other wireless technologies. One way to select between wireless and wired transmission is to activate the wireless mode, unless a cable is connected to the module. It would typically have a rechargeable long life lithium battery, or another suitable battery type. The signal export module can also have a data recognition sensor to sense the EKG signals and send an alarm if the patient has certain preprogrammed changes in his or her EKG, such as arrhythmias. The wireless feature of the pad allows the patient to wear the pad, put the module on wireless mode, and be able to move around, go to the bathroom, go to the lunchroom, move in a wheelchair, etc. The pattern recognition ability of the system will automatically send an alarm signal if an abnormal event happens.

The Universal Adaptor/Receiver is another part of the invention. Its features will include compatibility with all of the current or future EKG recorders in the market. It includes an input site for the wires from the recorder and a site for connection of the wires from the pad and limb electrodes. This part will be used for the wire transmission of data from the pad to the EKG machine. The adaptor/receiver also contains a receiver for receiving data wirelessly from the micro-transmitter and transferring them to the recorder. It also includes a digital display to show body temperature. A switch will allow the adaptor/receiver to select wire or wireless transmission mode, and to change output to the selected format for the EKG machine in use, or for a defibrillator, external heart pacing system, or for real time monitoring.

The pad is disposable so that it will be used for only one patient. This will limit the risk of transmitting skin disorders from one person to another, which is a concern in the currently available method.

An important feature of the pad is that the electrodes embedded in the pad extend from the pad surface for better contact. Rather than being flush with the pad, the electrode layer of the pad includes a device that causes the electrodes to extend away from the pad by two to five millimeters. The electrode-extending device would also exert a small amount of pressure so that when the pad is attached to the patient's chest, the extended electrodes press harder against the patient's skin than they would otherwise. The electrode extension device can be some type of biased device, such as a coiled spring or some other type of spring. The electrode extension device can also be a biased member made of foam. The foam structure would be compressed under the electrode when the adhesive cover is applied. When the adhesive cover is removed, the compressed foam would force the electrode to extend out from the body surface of the pad by two to five millimeters or more, preferably.

A foam pad or other biased device would also apply the correct pressure that would be transmitted to the electrode and thus, to the patient's skin. This will produce the highest quality contact and conductivity, which is directly related to the performance of the recording.

The body surface of the pad includes an adhesive layer made from biocompatible and non-allergic materials. This will be attached to the skin upon removal of the cover. Another feature of the invention is that the electrodes may be pre-coated with a transmitting gel, which would be sandwiched between the electrode and the cover of the adhesive layer. When the adhesive cover is removed, the transmitting gel would remain on the electrode contact surface and be available to improve the connection between the electrode and the patient's skin. All of these features result in a precordial pad that can improve the repeatability of test results, which can stabilize the pad during a particular test, which can read low temperatures and send that information to the EKG machine, and which facilitates rapid, accurate, and repeatable placement of the precordial pad of the invention. This pre-application of gel also eliminates a possible route of cross contamination.

The precordial pad of the invention also includes a temperature sensor built into the pad body. The temperature sensor measures a low range of body temperatures. It is when a patient's body temperature is in a low range that the electrical pattern of the heart will be affected. Knowing this factor in the recording is key to distinguishing the pattern of a normal from an abnormal EKG, as an EKG taken from a patient who is at a below normal temperature will have altered the readings. If that EKG is reviewed at a later time, a full interpretation of the EKG readings would not be possible without knowledge of the patient's temperature at the time the reading was taken. For that reason, a temperature sensor is built into the pad body. The temperature sensor would also be linked to the data-transmitting module, and sent to the EKG machine for recording with other data.

The micro-transmitter for the limb electrodes uses the same technology for the four electrodes of the limb leads. This can be associated with each single electrode for wireless transmission, if applicable.

Added features of the precordial pad of the invention are connection points to the four limb electrodes. These sensing sites are on the four limb of the patient, including the right arm, left arm, the right ankle, and the left ankle, or their adjusted positions on the chest of the patient. The designed sets of limb electrodes of this invention are also capable of attachment on the chest, rather than on the limb, to simplify the installation of electrodes for EKG test if the user chooses. The pad body of the invention would include sites to allow electrodes from the four limb to connect to the pad body and be routed with the information from the other electrodes of the pad body to the EKG machine.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims.

Several preferred embodiments of the invention are shown inFIGS. 1-12.FIG. 1shows a disposal EKG precordial pad of the invention, which is designated as10. This embodiment of the invention includes a pad body12, which includes a sliding site for module attachment14and a temperature window16. The pad body includes an outer surface18and a body surface20.FIG. 1is a view of the outer surface, with the body surface20being located on the opposite side of this view of the pad body12. In this view of the precordial pad body10, the embedded electrodes are not visible. A data-transmitting module22interfaces with the sliding site for module attachment14. This will be discussed further in other figures. A temperature sensor24is also present in the device, with data from the temperature sensor24being displayed in the temperature window16. The precordial pad10includes a positioning extension26. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the position extension26is attached to the pad body12. Other embodiments of the device could include a positioning extension26which is detachable or not attached at all, to the pad body12.

A doctor, technician or any professional or non-professional user uses the positioning extension26on a patient to determine the correct placement of the precoridal pad10. The positioning extension26includes a supra sternal notch28. The supra sternal notch28is meant to be placed adjacent the manubrium, which is the bone adjacent to the jugular notch directly above the ribcage and at a patient's throat. By placing the supra sternal notch28of the precordial pad10adjacent the jugular notch of the patient, the electrodes of the precordial pad are assured of being placed in the proper anatomical position on a patient. Also included in the precordial pad10, shown inFIG. 1, is an upper right limb lead30. Although this is on the left hand side ofFIG. 1, it would be associated with the patient's right side. Also, in the embodiment inFIG. 1is a lower right limb lead32, an upper left limb lead34, and a lower left limb lead36.

Shown inFIG. 2is another favored embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the limb leads are available as attachments to the pad body12. This embodiment includes a right limb lead assembly38and a left limb lead assembly40. The embodiment shown inFIG. 2shows the circuit layer42of the pad body12. In the circuit layer42, the electrical connections which are associated with each electrode are visible. The electrodes include an upper right limb lead connection44and a lower right limb lead connection46, to which the upper right limb lead30and the lower right limb lead32are connected when the right limb lead assembly38is attached to the pad body12. The electrical connections would be sufficient to carry higher voltages if to be used with a defibrillation option. In such a case, only certain predetermined electrodes would be used for defibrillation.

Similarly, an upper left limb lead connection48is provided, as well as a lower left limb lead connection50. These are provided so that a connection can be made with the upper left limb lead34and the lower left limb lead36, which are part of the left limb lead assembly40. These limb lead assemblies38and40can optionally be snapped into place, or the pad body may be used without limb leads. Electrode52is the V1 electrode, electrode54is the V2 electrode, the electrode56is the V3 electrode, electrode58is the V4 electrode, electrode60is the V5 electrode, and electrode62is the V6 electrode. The positions of these electrodes, V1 through V6, correspond to known electrode geometries and provide an accurate EKG reading when positioned on the patient's body correctly.

As inFIG. 1, the embodiment ofFIG. 2includes a positioning extension26. As can be seen inFIG. 2, electrical connection between each of the electrodes is made with the module attachment site14. A data-transmitting module22, not shown inFIG. 2, is utilized to transmit the data from each of the electrodes to the EKG machine. Electrode64is provided to obtain a temperature reading, which is conveyed to the site for module attachment14and to the data-transmitting module22.

FIG. 3shows the right limb lead assembly38and the left limb lead assembly40attached in place on the pad body12, showing the circuit layer42and the temperature sensor24.

The embodiment shown inFIG. 4is the same as that inFIG. 3. However, what is shown is the body surface of the pad body, also called the body surface layer. This is the view of the device, as it would contact the patient's body. The electrodes52,54,56,58,60,62, and64are shown. They are connected by the electrical connection shown inFIG. 3, which is not visible in this view. The right and left limb lead assemblies38and40are shown in their attached configuration, attached to the connections44,46,48, and50. Shown around each electrode is a zone of adhesive material. Adhesive material may also optionally be placed on the pad body12in various locations.

FIG. 5is a view of the second surface20of the pad body, the surface which contacts the patient's skin. This version of the device does not have the right or left limb lead assembly, and shows an optional configuration of the precordial pad10.

FIG. 6shows view of the right limb lead assembly38and the left limb lead assembly40, which may be optionally used with the versions of the precordial pad10which are shown inFIGS. 2-4.FIG. 7shows the positioning extension26which can be detachable from, or used as a separate piece with the precordial pad10.

FIG. 8shows a cross-sectional and enlarged view of an electrode72in the precordial pad. Also shown, are the first surface of the pad body18and the second surface of the pad body20. The second surface of the pad body20would be positioned against the skin of the patient. Between the electrode72and the first surface18, is a biased member74. The biased member74is a device which is stored under some degree of compression and, when released, expands and causes the electrodes72to move away from the first surface18. The biased member74can be a spring, such as a coil spring, or it can be a compressible substance such as foam. When released, either the spring or the foam would expand and cause the electrode72to move away from the first surface18. On the electrode72, the surface opposite the biased member74is a conductive gel76. The conductive gel76is added to the surface of the electrode72during manufacture. On the second surface20a layer of adhesive68is located. A cover layer78covers the adhesive68. When the cover layer78is removed, as shown in the lower corner ofFIG. 8, the biased member74expands and pushes the electrode72away from the first surface18. Removal of the cover layer78exposes the adhesive surface68and the gel76.

FIG. 9shows a number of configurations by which the EKG system of the invention would transmit information to any EKG machine. Shown inFIG. 9is the universal adaptor/receiver of the accessory system. The universal adaptor/receiver is numbered66. The universal adaptor can take several configurations, which are shown inFIG. 9. In the upper left corner ofFIG. 9is an example of the adaptor/receiver66of the invention configured for wireless reception of information from electrodes from the precordial pad. It is also configured for hardwired input of data from the limb electrodes. Shown on the adaptor/receiver66is a temperature window70, which is a separate window from the temperature window16, which is located on the precordial pad. From the adaptor/receiver66, wires extend to the EKG machine. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

In the lower left corner ofFIG. 9is a depiction of a universal adaptor/receiver66of the invention, which is configured for hardwire transmission of data from the precordial pad and from the limb electrodes.

In the upper right corner ofFIG. 9is a depiction of the adaptor/receiver66, which is configured to receive wireless transmission from both the electrodes of the precordial pad and limb electrodes.

In the lower right corner ofFIG. 9is a universal adaptor/receiver66configured to receive hardwired information from the electrodes of the precordial pad and wireless data from the limb electrodes. Any of these configurations of the universal adaptor/receiver66of the invention are possible.

FIG. 10is a view of some of the details of the universal adaptor/receiver66. Shown, are inputs for the four limb electrodes as well as inputs for the precordial cable. A wireless switch80is shown for switching the unit from wireless to wired operation. Also shown, is an antenna82for receiving a wireless signal from the precordial pad of the invention. The antenna82is connected to a receiver84that receives, processes, and transmits the information from the precordial pad to outlet jacks86. Outlet jacks86are available for connection to the EKG machine. This would typically be by a wired connection, but using wireless technology for this connection would also be possible. Thermometer window70is also shown.

FIG. 11shows a system transmitting module, which has also been called the signal export device22. It has a first surface86and a second surface88. The second surface88includes contact points90which provide electrical connection with the electrodes or the precordial pad. The signal export device22connects to the precordial pad10by means of the sliding site for module attachment14. The signal export devices include sliding borders92, which allow it to slide into a positive engagement with the sliding site for module attachment14. Although brackets on the side of the unit are shown, attachment could be accomplished by a number of configurations, as are well known in the industry. This unit could be operated with a cable94or could operate by wireless transmission.

FIG. 12shows a pad of the invention and possible connections with which it can be used. These include an EKG machine, a defibrillator, a real time heart monitoring system, and an external heart pacing machine.