Cardiovascular monitor

US4803996A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Nippon Colin Company Ltd. · JP

Inventors

• H. Herbert Peel · San Antonio, US
• Merle E. Converse · Helotes, US
• William H. McGinnis · San Antonio, US
• Donald J. Shirley · Leander, US
• John P. Prudhomme · Converse, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 1987
• Grant date: Feb 14, 1989
• Expiry date: Sep 28, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B5/336
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A cardiovascular monitor having improved safety features and data transmission ability. Sensing devices placed on a patient's body, such as electrocardiogram electrodes and phonocardiogram microphones, are electrically isolated from the data recorder and AC powerline, thereby protecting the patient from dangerously high voltages existing in the recorder and the external power source. Isolation amplifiers are employed in the signal conditioning circuitry at the front end of the recorder. Special isolation transformers are also used to prevent ground loop currents between the signal conditioner and the recorder thus minimizing noise due to powerline leakage. Similarly, isolation amplifiers are used during the playback mode between the recorder and a data processor to avoid ground loop currents between the recorder and the processor.