Abstract:
A device for localizing the point of emergence of ventricular tachycardias in cardiological medicine is characterized, in comparison with traditional cardiac mapping, by the same degree of precision, rapid installation, low cost, and the additional possibility of localizing the path of the micro-reentries (around anevrisms, for example). Contrary to traditional mapping, the device dispenses with the need to plot an isochronous chart (14). The principle of the device is based on the localization of the propagation of the myocardial cellular depolarization or of the muscular contraction of the heart (15) resulting directly therefrom. This localization is carried out in steps (17), along its path (13), starting from a point (16) on the heart chosen at random by the operator, and the path is traced back to its origin (12'), called the point of emergence.
Abstract:
A method of measuring biopotentials wherein an electrode is brought into contact with or is brought close to a living body in order to detect an electric signal generated in the living body based on a potential induced on the electrode. To inspect the condition where the electrode is contacted, a reference signal is given to the living body. The electrode detects the reference signal of a human body. The reference signal measured from the human body by the electrode represents the condition where the electrode is contacted. The electrode detects the reference signal and an electric signal generated in the living body. The signal level of the living body decreases with the decrease in the reference signal level induced on the electrode. Therefore, the signal level of the living body can be corrected with the reference signal level induced on the electrode.
Abstract:
A system for mapping and/or displaying spatio-temporal features of underlying event-related neural activity involves measuring the event-related evoked potential values at a limited number of points over the region or interest (30), deriving a first grid of potential values at points over the area of interest representing at least a Kriging-type of spatial statistical interpolation (36), and using the first grid to derive for the region of interest a second grid of points of current density values by a Laplacian conversion (40). A plurality of second grids of current density values spaced apart in time are derived and displayed on a monitor in cartoon-type fashion to provide a cartoon-type display of the features of the event-related evoked response over the region of interest varying with time. Various other displays are possible for highlighting specific features.
Abstract:
Comprises an electrode element (1) in the form of a flexible plastic film, the skin contact surface of which is in the form of a zinc layer (3) applied by means of hot spray galvanizing. The electrolytic layer (13) takes the form of a watery dispersion binder layer with bonding emulsion characteristics and which contains a substance dissociating in a watery solution, especially magnesium chloride.
Abstract:
The device enables the movement of the human head in the reclining position of the patient in the form of a torsional pendular acceleration around a horizontal axis and a linear acceleration in the vertical direction to stimulate the human vestibular apparatus and consists of a horizontal drive axle (13) moved by a reversing electro-magnet (20) in a torsional pendular movement, and another reversing electro-magnet (120) connected to the flange of this axle, the rotor (121) of which is attached to a vertical frame (20) which carries a trough-shaped head support (35), in such a way that the frame (30) performs a linear pendular movement in addition to the torsional pendular movement produced by the drive axle (13).
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).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for displaying a topographical map (Fig. 5A) of brain electrical activity of a patient. Input activity signals (14 in Fig. 1A) from the brain of a patient are sensed and evaluated (40 in Fig. 1A) by the apparatus responsive to computer software programs (stored at 29 or 53 in Fig. 1A). The sensed signals undergo line-by-line interpolation (Fig. 3) and are processed to generate video output signals (47 in Fig. 1A) of topographical maps (Fig. 5A) characteristic of brain electrical activity. The apparatus can also be operated at a central site remote from the location where the signals are measured on patients, and the computer software can selectively be downloaded from a remote source for data analysis.
Abstract:
An apparatus for transferring electrical energy to and from living tissue comprises a glove (12) of thin, flexible elastomeric material, which carries electrodes (14, 18, 20, and 24), electrically connected to a connector (42) disposed at the cuff (40) of the glove. The connector (42) permits the electrodes (14, 18, 20, and 24) to be electrically connected to a source of electrical energy or to a load (50), so that electrical energy may be applied to or drawn from living tissue.
Abstract:
In a system in which multiple related parameters, such blood chemistry data, are to be evaluated, such evaluation is facilitated by converting the data into specially normalized units as a percentage on a scale depicting the maximum and minium empirical values for such parameter. Then a normal relationship between pairs of such data (Fig. 1--N) is provided and compared with measured relationships between corresponding pairs of data (Fig. 1--CN to FN) and quantitative and qualitative evaluations are made. Also the complete set of data for such a system is plotted on respective radial axes in such normalized units on a circular coordinate system with the respective maximum and minimum for each parameter being marked on its radius (Fig. 2). The maxima and minima are interconnected to form two closed lines (22), thereby to provide an annulus representing the normal range. Then measured parameters for various entities are similarly plotted and compared with the normal annulus or known abnormal annuli (Fig. 3 to 7). Also circular point diagrams are provided, with points on a circular path representing respective parameters and respective pairs of points being connected in cases where a normal quantitative relationship exists (Fig. 8A) or where a specified type of qualitative abnormal relationship exists (Figs. 8B to 8F), thereby to depict more readily the condition of the system. The data or parameters may be plotted with the aid of an EDP system (Fig. 9).
Abstract:
A system (100) for recording from the respiration (104-118) and electrocardiographic (124-150) channels responsive to respiration (103) and electrocardiographic (123) signals from patient monitor (102) to operate a recorder (122) through circuitry (154, 156, 158) responsive to alarm signals (151, 153, 155) from monitor (102) displaying both short term event data via switches (108, 132), long terms trend data via switches (116, 140) and heart rate signals via switch (150).