Electrocardiography signal transmission-reception method including method of measuring pacemaker signal frequency
US3946744A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1974 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/904
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Described is method and apparatus for transmission of electrocardiography (EKG) signal wave trains from a patient's location via common carrier wire lines, such as telephone lines, to a central diagnostic office. The EKG signals consist of a composite train of Pacemaker potentials (artifacts) derived from an implanted Pacemaker, and of potentials derived from the heart itself. At the central, the EKG signals are pen-recorded, but additionally a train of Pacemaker artifacts only, is formed and from it is determined the Pacemaker frequency as an indication of remaining Pacemaker battery life. The central is provided with additional equipment, such as an arrhythmia analyzer which prepares an interval histogram from the patient's EKG signal. The histogram serves as an indication of "loss of capture" of the patient's heartbeat by the Pacemaker and such loss of capture is confirmed by the absence of correlation between the Pacemaker artifact and the "QRS complex" portion of the patient's EKG. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for precisely measuring the frequency of the Pacemaker artifacts in order to detect potential Pacemaker battery failure, which would be indicated by a change…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.