HEARTBEAT MONITORING NECKLACE

Abstract: A necklace device (10) has two skin electrodes (18, 20) mechanically attached to it at spaced apart positions on opposing body locations to detect the wearer's heart beat or another body signal. The electrodes (18, 20) are electrically connected, by the necklace (10) itself or by conductors (26, 48, 50, 67) incorporated therein, to circuitry in a pendant or module (16, 52) affixed to the necklace (10). The circuitry processes the body signal and may store it, display information obtained from it or transmit it to a separate receive and processing/display element. In one embodiment the necklace module (77) includes a microprocessor and RAM storage (83) and an output port (84). A receiving unit (93) connects to the output port (84) to download stored signals from the RAM (83) for processing in a microprocessor-controlled unit (94-98) outputting signals to display (99). Another embodiment includes an RF transmitter (76) with antenna (82), and a receiving unit (92) with antenna (91) removably replaceable on a wrist band (54).

Description: Heartbeat Monitoring Necklace This invention relates to a jewelry-like device for monitoring body activity electrically. In particular it provides such a device for providing continuous monitoring during everyday activity. A common instrument which monitors electrical signals produced by human body activity is the electrocardiograph. An electrocardiograph obtains data regarding human activity from electrodes in contact with the skin at relatively widely separated body locations. A wide spacing is desired between the electrode locations to sense a relatively large electrical potential difference as the heart beats. The continuous placement of electrodes on a person for prolonged periods, especially during various life activities, is often desired for cardiac analysis and study. Various straps, harnesses and other structures have been devised to provide this placement of electrodes, as illustrated by the disclosures in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,301,808; 4,120,294; 4,052,979; and 3,442,263. These structures however have numerous shortcomings. Some are unsightly, and others are cumbersome, inconvenient or uncomfortable to wear during everyday activities. An object to this invention is to provide a device for monitoring human body electrical signals which is comfottable and convenient for prolonged use during everyday activities. It is a further object that the device be attractive in appearance. Another object is to provide such a device that can provide the user with heart rate and other body activity information in a prompt easily intelligible and convenient manner. A particular object is to provide a device for monitoring body signals from relatively distal locations on the body and which is convenient for prolonged use during everyday activities and yet which is ornamental. Other objects to the invention will be apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A bod -monitoring device according to the invention has a loop-like necklace element and has two electrodes that are mechanically tethered to the necklace element at relatively widely spaced body locations. Each electrode can contact the skin for sensing an electrical body signal, such as the electrical potential difference associated with the heart beat. The device includes electrical conductor elements incorporated into the necklace element and for electrical connection between the electrodes and an electrical circuit which responds to the sensed signal. The incorporation of the conductor elements into the necklace element conceals them for a decorative, ornamental appearance. In a preferred embodiment, one electrode is located along the necklace element for contact with the skin on the vertebrate bone at the back of the neck. The other electrode is located along the necklace for contact with the skin near the center of the breast. An alternative is that the two electrodes be located along the necklace for contact with the skin on opposite sides of the neck either above or on the breastbones. In both embodiments, the necklace element disposes the electrodes substantially diametrically opposite one other relative to the loop configuration of the necklace element and hence with maximal separation. In a further preferred embodiment, a circuit module of small size attached to the necklace processes the electrical signal developed by the electrodes. The module has a snap-connection for direct electrical and mechanical attachment to a mating connector on an electrode, and the necklace includes a conductor extending from the circuit module to a snap connector at its diametrically opposite side, for connection to the second electrode. Preferably the electrodes are adhesively attached to the skin of the subject, so that the necklace is held in position by the electrodes, thus reducing signal artifacts due to motion of the device. Preferably the circuit module includes a transmitter, which may transmit radio or ultrasonic signals to a remote unit for storage, processing or display. In one further embodiment the circuit module itself includes means for storing processed signals. A plug or socket is provided on the module for connection directly to an auxiliary receiving unit for downloading the stored information to be processed or displayed. Another preferred feature is that the device include a necklace ornament such as a pendant which houses the electrical circuit for responding to the sensed electrical signal. The circuit can include elements for the wireless transmission of -.- an electrical signal responsive to the sensed electrode signal to a receiving unit separate from the necklace. This separate receiver can also be a personal ornamental device, such as a wristwatch-like device, for wearing on the body. The receiver unit can include circuit elements for receiving the transmitted electrical signal and for processing and storing it, and for displaying and otherwise indicating information about the body, as sensed with the electrodes. Alternatively, the pendant may include circuit elements for processing and storing information derived from the electrical signals and a separate receiving unit may be provided into which the pendant plugs for downloading the stored information. The pendant or circuit module may be powered by a rechargeable battery and the receiving unit may include a recharger, for recharging the module's battery as it downloads information. The invention thus provides an ornamental necklace device which spans between two widely spaced body locations and which supports electrodes at those locations. The necklace element connects the electrodes to a circuit which the necklace carries and which responds to body signals sensed by the electrodes. The device is well suited for prolonged wearing for monitoring body conditions under various life activities. Further, it is attractive and ornamental in appearance, as well as being relatively light and comfortable to wear. The invention accordingly comprises a device embodying features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of part as explained in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention is indicated in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, including the drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows an ornamental necklace device according to the invention for the nonintrusive monitoring of human body electrical signals; FIGURE 2 shows another embodiment of the invention. FIGURE 3 shows another embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3A shows an alternate embodiment of the device of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 4 shows an embodiment of a receiver unit according to the present invention; FIGURE 4A shows a side view of the device of FIGURE 4; and FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENTS FIGURE 1 shows that a first device 10 according to the invention is in effect a necklace which a person can wear loosely about the neck. As shown, the necklace has a neck- strand 12 of any desired ornamental form. Preferably the strand 12 is a form a light weight quality jewelry which is attractive and comfortable to wear. The illustrated necklace has a clasp 12a at the upper back end, as is conventional. At the lower front end 12b, the neckstrand carries a pendant 16, which also preferably is fashioned as a jewelry ornament. Two skin electrodes 18 and 20 are attached to the neckstrand 12. The electrodes 18 and 20 are typically small, soft, skin colored discs with metal contacts, typically of silver or silver chloride alloy, as conventional. Each electrode attaches to the skin, for electrical contact, with a surgical grade electrically conductive adhesive 22, as conventionally used. The electrode 18 is located along the neckstrand 12 adjacent to the catch 12a so that it may be fastened to the skin of the wearer at the back of the neck over a vertebrate bone. The electrode 18 is connected mechanically to the necklace by a short tether 24. The tether 24 preferably is a chain or other like ornamental strand. Electrode 18 may alternatively be an integral part of clasp 12a and thus require no tether, or may connect to the necklace via a rigid connector, such as a snap connector. The illustrated pendant 16 is hung at the normal central front location on the neckstrand so that it will be located, when worn, near the center of the breast. An electrical connection is made between the neck electrode 18 and the pendant 16 by way of the tether 24 and the neckstrand 12. The conductive path can be provided by the neckstrand 12 itself or it can be provided by a separate insulated wire woven into or through or otherwise decoratively incorporated into the structure of the neckstrand. In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, the conductive path is a separate insulated conductor 26 which extends continuously from the contact of the electrode 18 along the tether 24 and the neckstrand 12 to the necklace links that suspend the pendant 16, and which feeds into the pendant. The other electrode 20 is located along the neckstrand 12 so that it may be fastened to the skin over the breastbone, preferably centered between the pectorals, approximately six inches below the Adam's apple and directly beneath the pendant 16. A second tether 28 provides both mechanical and electrical connection between the second electrode and the pendant 16. The second tether 28, an illustrative example of which is a short gold or like conductive metal chain, attaches at one end to the electrode 20 and at the other to the pendant 16. The pendant 16 is then allowed to dangle naturally within the limits of the tether 28. Thus, the second tether 28 can hold the pendant 16 close to the breast to limit movement during various activities. The breast electrode 20 may, as FIGURE 1 illustrates, carry on the outer side a fastener 30, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, to attach to a mating fastener on the pendant 16 and thereby hold the pendant firmly to the breast. The second tether 28 may carry a separate insulated wire for electrically connecting the breast electrode 20 to the circuitry within the pendant 16. As a further alternative, the second tether may feed from the pendant 16 to the neckstrand 12, and then span off to the breast electrode 20. With further reference to FIGURE 1, the illustrated pendant 16 houses an electrical circuit of a known design and construction for responding to the electrical signal received from the electrodes 18 and 20. For example, the pendant circuit may include a preamplifier and an FM transmitter, both powered by a battery within the pendant. The amplifier receives and amplifies the electrical signal from the electrodes and the transmitter broadcasts it to a separate measure and display unit 34. The measure and display unit receives the transmitted signal, and provides demodulation, processing and storage of the signal as appropriate for the measurements or the processing to be made, all in a manner and with circuitry well-known to those skilled in the art. The unit 34 also includes conventional elements for displaying or otherwise indicating information about the wearer, such as the heartbeat. The unit 34 can also include a memory element for storing the electrode signals it receives, for subsequent off-line analysis and processing by other equipment. In one illustrative form of the device shown in FIGURE 1, the neckstrand 12 with the electrodes 18, 20 and circuit- housing pendant 16 continuously monitors a person's heart activity to provide an extensive cardiac data base. The cardiac database can be stored and processed in the measure and display unit 34. The processing in the measure and display unit 34 of the resulting signals uses known methods and circuits. One example of such processing, aside from medical health care, is for the measure and display unit to compute a caloric consumption rate by measuring the level of the heart rate above a resting rate. In another example, the processor measures cardiovascular fitness. For this purpose the measure and display unit 34 measures and compares the heart pulse rate during various activities. Another illustrative operation is for the device to store a selected cardiac rate and to produce a perceptable signal when the heart rate of the wearer attains that rate. The device moreover can signal when the desired heart rate is achieved and maintained for a selected time. The device can also measure cardiac recovery time, and grade it, according to norms stored in a memory in either the measure and display unit 34 or within the pendant 16. Thus, the necklace-like device 10 facilitates the continuous monitoring of a person's heart throughout varied body activities, and thereby enables various kinds of information to be stored, processed, and displayed. FIGURE 2 shows another nonintrusive necklace-like device according to the invention for monitoring electrical signals produced by human body activity. In this embodiment, two electrodes 42 and 44 are located on either side of a necklace 46 so that they may be fastened to the body of the wearer on opposite sides of the neck. Two electrically isolated wires 48 and 50 are incorporated in the necklace 46 to conduct signals from the two electrodes to the electrical circuitry within a pendant 52 which the necklace 46 supports. The device of FIGURE 2 further illustrates that the measure and display device can be incorporated into a device like a wristwatch 54. The wristwatch 54 accordingly includes electrical circuits for receiving signals transmitted via electromagnetic radiation from the pendant 52 and for providing the desired signal processing, storage, recording and display. The illustrated wristwatch includes a conventional time display 56 and a display 58 of pulse rate information or other cardiac or body activity information as sensed with the electrodes 42 and 44. Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, two electrodes 62,64 connect via snap-connectors 65,66,69 to necklace 63 at diametrically opposed positions thereof. The electrodes are adhesive button electrodes, of conventional type, which adhesively attach to the skin. The pendant of Figure 2 is here replaced by a circuit module 61 affixed to the necklace 63 at the rear or clasp position thereof. Module 61 has a conductive snap-connector 65, mating with the snap-connector 69 of electrode 62. Electrode 64 connects, via its snap-connector, to a mating connector 66 which is affixed to the necklace and serves as an end terminal of conductive lead 67 extending between connector 66 and module 61 along one side of necklace 63. It will be appreciated that the attachment of snap connectors 65,66 to the necklace is such that when fastened to the mating connectors of the electrodes, the necklace is firmly anchored to the skin in a fixed orientation. A second conductive lead 67a, discussed in relation to Figure 3A below, may extend along the other side of the necklace, as an antenna for a transmitter included in module 61. As shown in Figure 3, circuit module 61 conveniently incorporates links or fastening rings 68 of the necklace clasj?. In some embodiments however, it is desirable to locate the module near the breast bones on the front of the wearer, as, for instance, when the module incorporates an ultrasonic rather than an RF transmitter. In such cases, the module would be attached to a continuous region of the necklace at a point removed from the clasp. Figure 3A is a detail of an alternative embodiment, in which the circuit module 61 is affixed to a central portion of necklace 63 spaced apart from the clasp portion thereof. In this embodiment, conductive lead 67 extends from module 61 to the connector 66 for the remotely-spaced electrode. An additional conductor 67a extends within the necklace from the other side of module 61, and serves as an antenna for an RF transmitter in the module. Figure 4 shows the receiver unit 70 according to another embodiment of the invention. Unit 70 has a window display 71, and is adapted to be carried by the wrist strap of a conventional wrist watch. Receiver unit 70 contains circuitry for receiving and demodulating signals transmitted by module 61, and means for driving display 71, to display e.g. the pulse rate. Preferably, unit 70 is replaceably removable from the wrist strap of a conventional watch. Figure 4a shows an end view of the receiver unit 70 along plane IVA of Figure 4. Unit 70 includes a spring clip 72 adapted to firmly grip watch bands of a range of thicknesses. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing circuit components of the module 61 and receiver unit 70 according to the invention. Module 61 preferably comprises a signal amplifier 75 and a transmitter 76, housed as a unit 77 which may comprise the entire module 61. Signal amplifier 75 receives at input lines 78,79 signals from the two electrodes (62,64 of Figure 3) and developes an output representative thereof at line 80, which is the input to transmitter 76. Transmitter 76 developes a transmission signal modulated by the signal on line 80. In the preferred embodiment, tramsmitter 76 is an RF transmitter and its output signal is delivered along line 81 to antenna 82. Antenna 82 may be a single lead antenna such as conductor 67a of Figure 3A. Alternatively, antenna 82 may comprise all or part of the necklace 63, or may comprise a conductive line housed within the module. In an alternative embodiment, transmitter 76 is an ultrasonic transmitter, and an ultrasonic transducer, rather than an antenna, is the radiative transmitting element. Also shown in Figure 5 is a microprocessor 83 used in one alternative embodiment. In the alternate embodiment, the signal from amplifier 75 is processed by microprocessor 83 and the information therein, such as pulse rate or anomalous heart rhythm pattern, is coded and stored in RAM. An output jack 84 is provided for connection to a separate receiving unit for downloading the stored information. The receiving unit 90 comprises means for receiving signals from the sending module, a microprocessor for processing the signals, and means for displaying the processed information. The means for receiving comprises an antenna 91 for RF signals (or a transducer for ultrasonic signals) connected to a receiver circuit for demodulating the received signals. Alternatively, or additionally, for the embodiment in which the necklace unit stores information, the means for receiving may include a plug-in input connector 93. In either case the resultant signals are passed directly to a microprocessor 94, having ancillary component RAM 95, Keyboard 96, clock circuit 97, display driver 98 and display 99. Microprocessor 94 performs the downloading, processing and display of information under the control of an internal instruction set and keyboard entered signals. Receiving unit 90 may also include a power supply for recharging a rechargeable battery (not shown) of the necklace unit. The keyboard may comprise a small number of switch buttons such as those necessary to turn the receiver on, to activate the display, or to download or reset the RAM 83 of the sending unit. The invention described above accordingly provides an ornamental device for wearing on the human body in a suspended manner and which attaches electrodes from widely spaced body locations, between which the device spans, to a circuit which the device carries and which responds to the body signals which the electrodes sense. In addition to the loop element and the two electrodes, the device can have an ornament which houses electrical circuitry for responding to the signals which the electrodes sense. Alternatively the circuitry may be housed in a small module attached to the loop. The circuitry can provide complete processing and produce output information responsive to the signals. Alternatively, it can store the sensed signals for subsequent off-line processing, or it can transmit the signals to a separate receiving and measurement unit. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additions, subtractions and modifications of the invention as shown and described in the illustrated embodiments, other than those noted, can be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. Having described the invention, what is claimed is new and secured by Letter Patent is:

Claims: 1. A personal ornamental device for monitoring body signals comprising: loop means for hanging loosely about a body member, said loop means incorporating electrically conductive means for electrical connection to each of first and second electrode means, first and second electrode means for sensing the electrical potential difference signal associated with the body signals, said electrode means being attached to said loop means at respective first and second positions thereof spaced from each other for placement of electrodes on opposing sides of the body member, each said electrode means bearing means for connection to the skin, whereby the loop means is anchored in a substantially fixed orientation to the body by attachment of an electrode to the skin. 2. A device according to claim 1 in which said loop means comprises a neckstrand, and wherein said first and second electrode means are located relative to the neckstrand for fastening to the skin on opposite sides of the neck. 3. A device according to claim 1 in which said loop means comprises a conductive lead for electrical connection to at least one of said first and second electrode means. 4. A device according to claim 1 in which said conductive means includes a snap connector, affixed to the loop means, for σonductively connecting to a mating connector on one said electrode means. 5. A device according to claim 1 in which said loop means includes module means and electrical circuit means housed in said module means for responding to the electrical signal sensed by said first and second electrode means. 6. A device according to claim 5 in which said electrical circuit means further includes means for transmitting said sensed electrical signal to a receiver separate from said loop means. 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the means for transmitting includes an RF transmitter, and wherein the loop means further includes an RF antenna means incorporated therein and connected electrically to the transmitter. 8. A device according to claim 6 further including a second personal ornamental device for wearing on the body, and means for receiving, storing and processing said transmitted electrical signal, said receiving, storing and processing means being housed in said second personal ornamental device. 9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said second personal ornamental device comprises a housing removably replaceable on a wrist strap. 10. A device according to claim 9 further including means for indicating information about the condition of the body signals generated by said receiving, storing and processing means, and housed in said second personal device. 11. A device according to claim 5 in which said electrical circuit means further includes means for processing and storing data derived from said sensed electrical signal, and also includes an output port, for providing said stored data to an external receiving unit. 12. A device according to claim 11, further including an external receiving unit having means for connecting to the outlet port, such receiving unit further including microprocessor means for downloading and processing the stored data, and data display means for displaying the downloaded processed data. 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the module contains a rechargeable battery in electrical communication with the outlet port, and wherein the receiving unit includes a power source for recharging the battery through the port. 14. A necklace-like device for the nonintrusive monitoring of human body electrical signals, said device comprising first and second electrode means for placement on the body skin, necklace means. electrical circuit means carried by said necklace means and operative in response to body electrical signals sensed by said electrode means, means forming first and second electrical conductor means interconnecting said circuit means and said first and second electrode means, respectively, for placing said electrode means in circuit with said circuit means, said first conductor means extending along said necklace device and concealed therewith from said circuit means to a first body location where it extends from said necklace means and connects to said first electrode means, said second conductor means extending from said circuit means to a second body location where it extends from said necklace means and connects to said second electrode means, said second location being distal along said necklace means and on an opposing side of said body from said first location, each « of said first and second electrode means including means for fixedly attaching the electrode to the skin so that connection of a conductor to an electrode anchors the necklace in fixed orientation about a wearer's neck. 15. A necklace-like device according to claim 14 further comprising a- necklace module carried on said necklace means and housing said electrical circuit means. 16. A necklace-like device according to claim 15 wherein one of said first and second conductor means comprises a conductive snap connector means, affixed to the module, for direct circuit connection of a said electrode to the module. 17. A device for the direct display of cardiac data having a wrist band, and a watch affixed to the wrist band, and further comprising: a receiving unit having a housing removably replaceable on the wrist band and separate from the watch, such receiving unit including: receiving means for receiving signals indicative of cardiac data, processor means for processing the signals; and display means for displaying the processed signals. 18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the receiving means includes a port means, in communication with the processor means, for establishing connection with an external data source and for downloading cardiac data therefrom, for processing and displaying by the processor means and the display means. 19. A device according to claim 17, wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving radiated energy from an external transmitter, such energy being modulated by the sensed signals, and further includes means for demodulating the radiated energy to provide signals to the processor means for processing.

Inventors: THOMIS WENDL, THOMIS, WENDL
Applicants: THOMIS WENDL, THOMIS, WENDL
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A61B5
IPC codes: A61B5