Physiological monitoring device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a physiological monitoring device. Some embodiments of the invention allow for long-term monitoring of physiological signals. Further embodiments may also allow for the monitoring of secondary signals such as motion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 756,326, filed Jan. 24, 2013, entitled PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING DEVICE. The contents of the aforementioned application are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. The benefit of priority to the foregoing application is claimed under the appropriate legal basis, including, without limitation, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e).BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates generally to medical devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a physiological monitoring device and method for use.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, may cause various types of symptoms, such as loss of-consciousness, palpitations, dizziness, or even death. An arrhythmia that causes such symptoms is often an indicator of significant underlying heart disease. It is important to identify w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a device that can be worn for a long time to monitor a person or animal's health, specifically their cardiac rhythm. The device has features to make it comfortable and accurate for diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias. It includes a printed circuit board, a rigid housing to prevent deformation of the circuit board, and a motion sensor to collect data on the person's movement. The device also has an event trigger to activate when the person moves. The electrodes are designed to minimize signal distortion during movement. The device can be easily attached to the person's skin with gaskets. Overall, the device provides a reliable and comfortable way to monitor a person's health and detect potential health risks.

Problems solved by technology

Since the symptoms listed above can often be due to other, less serious causes, a key challenge is to determine when any of these symptoms are due to an arrhythmia.

Oftentimes, arrhythmias occur infrequently and / or episodically, making rapid and reliable diagnosis difficult.

The electrodes need daily changing and the wires are cumbersome.

The devices also have limited memory and recording time.

Wearing the device interferes with patient movement and often precludes performing certain activities while being monitored, such as bathing.

All of these limitations severely hinder the diagnostic usefulness of the device, the compliance of patients using the device and the likelihood of capturing all important information.

Lack of compliance and the shortcomings of the devices often lead to the need for additional devices, follow-on monitoring or other tests to make a correct diagnosis.

Current methods to correlate symptoms with the occurrence of arrhythmias, including the use of cardiac rhythm monitoring devices, such as Holter monitors and cardiac event recorders, are often not sufficient to allow an accurate diagnosis to be made.

Additionally, the medical treatment process to actually obtain a cardiac rhythm monitoring device and initiate monitoring is typically very complicated.

This appointment is usually several weeks from the initial visit with the PCP, which in itself leads to a delay in making a potential diagnosis as well as increases the likelihood that an arrhythmia episode will occur and go undiagnosed.

Once the monitoring has been completed, the patient typically must return the device to the clinic, which itself can be an inconvenience.

This complex process results in fewer patients receiving cardiac rhythm monitoring than would ideally receive it.

However, since the trigger is part of a skin-contacting platform with integrated electrodes, the patient can introduce significant motion artifacts when feeling for the trigger.

Secondly, patient compliance and device adhesion performance are two factors that govern the duration of the ECG record and consequently the diagnostic yield.

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