Portable ECG device with wireless communication interface to remotely monitor patients and method of use

Abstract

A portable ECG monitor and an overall system for remotely monitoring cardiac function of a patient is disclosed, together with a method of use. The portable ECG includes a multi-lead, multi-channel ECG monitor and a wireless communication device connected to the ECG monitor to receive patient ECG data and transmit the patient ECG data to a centralized facility, such as a hospital. The wireless communication device can include a mobile phone and/or an interactive Internet appliance. A method of remotely monitoring ECG data is also disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly useful with patients experiencing symptomatic ischemia. The method includes providing a portable ECG device with wireless communication capabilities to such a patient, acquiring ECG data from the patient at a location remote from a health care facility, then transmitting the ECG data to the centralized facility, and assessing the ECG data at the centralized facility. The patient is then provided with instructions based on the ECG assessment. The centralized facility and the health care facility may be one in the same, or may be two different and distinct facilities.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to electrocardiograms (ECGs) and the use thereof, and more particularly to, a method and apparatus to remotely monitor patients using a portable ECG device with a wireless communication interface. [0002] ECG analysis is a well established method for studying the function of the heart and identifying disorders of the heart. An ECG is a graphic tracing of the variations and the electrical potential caused by the excitation of the heart muscle as detected at the body surface by the leads of the ECG device. A normal electrocardiogram is a scale or representation that shows deflections resulting from cardiac activity as changes in the magnitude of voltage and polarity over time and includes a P-Wave, a QRS complex, a T-Wave, and a U-Wave. These waves are then analyzed using a set of rules and parameters to determine what is normal and what is not. Certain deviations are used to flag possible complications. [0003] ECG is a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] In general, the invention includes the use of a multi-lead, multi-channel ECG monitor that allows 24-hour surveillance by a qualified clinician at a central facility, or hospital, of a patient experiencing symptomatic ischemia without requiring costly hospitalization. The ECG monitor is coupled with a communications device that will automatically communicate with the centralized facility, which may be a hospital, or could be a separate facility providing a specialized service to a hospital. To provide simplicity of use, the system should not require the patient to remember a phone number and require dialing the phone number when the patient is in the middle of experiencing chest pains, and preferably, there should be no extra device to plug into a wall outlet which may be time-consuming and difficult for some patients when experiencing ischemic symptoms.

[0008] Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a portable ECG apparatus is disclosed that includes

Problems solved by technology

Ischemia can lead to or be a symptom of myocardial infarction.

Unfortunately, patients often delay in seeking treatment when they first experience chest pain, which compromises the opportunity that exists for salvaging the heart muscles affected via treatment, such as thrombolytic therapy.

Further ex

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