Abstract:
A method of placing ECG electrodes in an environment where persons of limited training are available includes making a trial placement of the electrodes. Then, the method includes testing the electrodes and evaluating signals from the electrodes as a result of the testing. Verbal or visual feedback can be provided to the person placing the electrodes so that placed electrodes could be adjusted as needed.

Description:
FIELD 
     The invention pertains to monitoring of physiological conditions of individuals. More particularly, the invention pertains to remote monitoring of such individuals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of monitoring systems of physiological conditions of an individual are known. Some of these monitoring systems are intended to be used by individuals in their residences on an on-going daily basis to implement home based disease management programs. 
     Representative monitoring systems are disclosed in the application titled “In-Residence Monitoring System Incorporating Voice Output”, assigned U.S. Ser. No. 11/226,550, and filed Sep. 14, 2005; the application titled “Monitoring System for a Residence”, assigned U.S. Ser. No. 11/189,332, and filed Jul. 26, 2005; and the application titled “Residential Monitoring System for Selected Parameters”, assigned U.S. Ser. No. 11/119,182, and filed Apr. 29, 2005 all of which are assigned to the Assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference. Such systems are often intended to be used in an environment where they communicate, usually intermittently, with a displaced monitoring facility staffed by trained health care professionals who are able to evaluate the results being received from a monitoring unit local to the resident or patient. 
     An electrocardiogram (ECG) is recognized as a non-invasive relatively simply way to diagnose heart conditions. Twelve lead or electrode electrocardiograms are commonly used for diagnosis by trained medical personnel in clinical settings. In such settings, the person conducting the evaluation knows where to place the electrodes on the individual being evaluated. 
     Electrocardiograms have also been recognized as valuable cardiac evaluation tools for remotely monitored patients. However, in these settings, the person who is having the test or a caregiver of limited training will probably be the only ones available to place the electrodes. 
     Currently in such settings, ECGs are limited to 2 electrodes providing a single lead ECG because anything beyond two electrodes becomes too difficult for most patients or their caregivers to apply. Unfortunately, the single lead ECG provides little clinical value beyond heart rate. 
     Color coded electrodes are known and used in monitoring patients. Methods for detecting potentially bad electrode placements are also known and in use. 
     There is a continuing need to make it possible for residents or patients who may be living in their homes with or without caregivers with limited training and who are being remotely monitored to more effectively make ECG electrode placements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a diagram illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a diagram that illustrates additional aspects of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ; and 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention as well as the best mode of practicing the same and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     In embodiments of the invention, combining color coded ECG electrodes (more pronounced size and color), electrode placement evaluation to detect improper electrode placement, and voice guidance provides a higher level of proper successful electrode placement and attachment by untrained patients. If an electrode appears to have been placed incorrectly, then voice feedback locally generated or from a remote monitoring site can be provided to instruct the patient as to which electrode is improperly placed and how to move it to a better location. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the patient is instructed as to correct electrode placement. After placing electrodes the patient requests a test of the electrode placement. During the test, the signal from the electrodes is analyzed in real time to look for likely problems. Common issues (poor contact, reversed electrodes, etc.) are detected by the processing, and additional voice feedback can be used to instruct the patient on what correct action to take. After the patient attempts to correct the problem the electrode placement is retested prior to making a diagnostic evaluation. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate details of an apparatus  10  that embodies the present invention. The apparatus  10  includes a monitoring unit  12  that might be situated proximate to a resident or patient P, for example, in the resident&#39;s house, living room, bedroom, or the like. The unit  12  can receive inputs from a plurality of color coded ECG electrodes  14  each of which is intended to be place on or coupled to the resident at a predetermined location indicated in  FIG. 1A  as, R, L, N, and F. Placement is important in obtaining a diagnostically useful set of signals at the unit  12 . 
     In accordance with the invention, the individual P can place the electrodes on himself or herself as best as possible. The ECG test can then be started at the unit  12 . Current from the electrodes  14  detected by the unit  12  can be processed locally or at a remote monitoring facility M to evaluate placement of the electrodes  14 . For example, if the R and L electrodes are switched, then an absence of expected types of signals, such as Q or R amplitude from the appropriate electrode, can be detected. The unit  12  can then automatically generate a verbal output to the individual P that the two electrodes need to be switched. 
     The individual P, after switching the electrodes and placing them into locations that are as appropriate as possible, can rerun the test. If appropriate signals are detected at the unit  12 , then these can then be analyzed locally, or digital representations thereof can be transmitted to the remote monitoring facility M for analysis. 
     Those of skill will understand that numerous other types of electrode placement errors can be sensed at the unit  12  or at the facility M, and automatic verbal outputs can then be generated at the unit  12  to advise the person P as to how the placement should be adjusted to correct the detected problem. 
     In accordance with the above, the unit  12  can be carried in a housing  20  as seen  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The unit  12  can include control circuitry that could be implemented at least in part with a programmable processor  20   a  and associated control software  20   b . The software  20   b  can be stored in executable form in read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or any other desired medium at the control circuitry. 
     The software  20   b  could carry out local signal analysis to evaluate incoming signals from the electrodes  14  as well as generate and control verbal and/or visual outputs via local output units, such as a speaker  24   a  and a display unit  24   b.    
     The control software  20   b  could carry out other monitoring related functions as would be understood by those of skill in the art. For example, the software  20   b  can present on the visual display  24   b  a graphical, educational display as to how the electrodes should be placed and how they should be rearranged to address a problem or problems detected by the analysis software  20   b.    
     Signals from the ECG electrodes  14  and other types of physiological sensors  26 , such as blood pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and the like, all without limitation, can be coupled to the control circuitry via interface circuits  20   c . The control circuitry can also communicate bi-directionally via an interface  20   d  wired or wirelessly with the remote monitoring facility M. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a method  100  that embodies the invention. Initially, the individual P places the electrodes on himself, herself, or a person that is being tested, as at  102 . The unit  12  is activated to perform an ECG, as at  104 . 
     The unit  12  evaluates signals received from the electrodes  14  or transfers representations of those signals to the facility M for analysis, as at  106 . A determination is made, as at  108 , as to validity of the received signals. If the signals are acceptable, then results can be presented locally, both verbally or audibly and visually via the speaker  24   a  and the graphical display device  24   b , as at  110 . Alternately or additionally, such results can be transmitted to the facility M and reviewed or stored in the chart of the individual P. 
     When analysis of signals from the electrodes  14  reveals a problem with electrode placement, the unit  12  can provide verbal or visual correctional feedback, as at  112 , via the speaker  24   a  and the display device  24   b  to the person P or to that person&#39;s caregiver as to how the placement of the electrodes could be adjusted to provide better results, as at  114 . If the analysis indicates that there is an uncorrectable problem, then verbal or visual feedback can be provided to the user, as at  116 , that service needs to be called. 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.