ELECTRODE CHARACTERIZED BY TWO CONDUCTIVE PLATES TO BE PLACED ON A SINGLE LOWER LIMB FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM.

Abstract

- Device for taking an electrical voltage, particularly for medical use, and comprising a set of electrodes, in accordance with claim 1 of the main patent, and comprising for this purpose two conductive plates suitable for being connected by a flexible electrical link to a measuring device such as an electrocardiographic recording device, the two electrodes being mounted on an armature suitable for being held on a lower limb, and the device is characterized in that said armature is made of non-conductive material and is provided to be deformable between at least two positions, namely a position in which the conductive plates are spread apart to allow the armature to be put in place and a position in which the conductive plates are brought together, coming to rest on two diametrically opposed points of the limb.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrode device or assembly of electrodes as described in the main patent and intended for measuring electrical voltage, particularly for medical use and more specifically for establishing an electrocardiogram. It is known that the work of the heart muscle generates an electrical field that can be detected on the body, and the characteristic voltage variations of this electrical field, after amplification, provide information on the functioning and health status of the cardiac system. The electric field must be detected from at least three points corresponding to a triangulation whose The center is largely occupied by the cardiac muscle. For this reason, we usually proceed with the position- electrode placement constituting the sensors for measuring the characteristics of the electric field, approximately on the one hand at the level of the chest and on the other hand on each lateral limbs, either upper or lower. This working method therefore requires that, in addition to the electrode corresponding to the apex of the triangle, the practitioner has two electrodes corresponding to the -2- sockets respectively right and left, which are therefore positioned, for example, on the wrist or on the finger respectively right and left, or even on the lower limbs. This placement of two electrodes, one on the right and one on the left side of the lateral limbs (upper or lower), presents a certain complexity, as each electrode is connected by an independent wire to the electrocardiographic measuring and recording device phique. However, it was noted by the plaintiff that it was possible to obtain two measurements allowing for lower seizures, respectively right and left, at starting from a single member. And under these conditions, the applicant developed and described in the main patent an electrode device suitable for placement on a lower limb and comprising two conductive plates, each connected by a separate flexible electrical link to the detection device measurement and recording. This certificate of addition concerns developments components and additions to the electrode setup such as described and claimed in the main patent. To this end, the invention relates to a device for measuring electrical voltage, particularly for medical use and constituting a set of electrodes, conforming to the claim Description 1 of the main patent, and comprising for this purpose two conductive plates adapted to be connected by a flexible electrical link to a measuring device such as an electrocardiographic recording device, the two electrodes being mounted on a frame adapted to be held on a lower limb, and the device is characterized in that said frame is made of non-conductive material and is provided to be deformable between at least two positions, namely a position in which the conductive plates are separated to allow placement of the frame and a position in which the conductive plates are brought together, making contact with two diametrically opposed points of the limb. More specifically, the frame comprises two arms of variable spacing fixed to each other, each carrying a conductive plate adapted to come into contact with one of the two diametrically opposed faces of said receiving member. More specifically, the two branches are mounted on common articulation means allowing the angular variations of one branch relative to the other. According to one development of the invention, the armature comprises a spring element that elastically returns the two arms towards each other and allows them to separate by tensioning the spring. This is done for the purpose of positioning the armature and the electrodes it comprises on the lower limb. This positioning is followed by the automatic return of the two arms towards each other, thus applying the two arms against the two diametrically opposed faces of the lower limb, with electrical contact between each face of the limb and the plate. corresponding conductor. 4 - According to a further development of the invention, the two arms together form a clamp, and each arm has, on the side opposite its receiving part of the conductive plate, an extension; the two extensions from the two arms together form a means of manual gripping between thumb and forefinger; the bringing together of the two extensions causes, in a manner known per se, the separation of the opposite part of each of the arms constituting the active parts supports for the conductive plates. In a more advantageous embodiment, each branch has a face facing the other branch that follows a concave curviform profile, and the electrically conductive plate located on the concave inner face of said branch is also provided with a concave profile corresponding to the profile of the supporting branch, thus allowing adaptation of each branch and its electrically conductive plate to the curved, preferably lateral, face of the lower limb device receiver. According to yet another, more specific form of implementation, Each of the branches is made of synthetic material. According to yet another characteristic, each conductive plate located on the inner face of the branch is in electrical contact by a pad passing through the wall of said branch and capable of receiving the electrical contact of a flexible conductive wire whose bare end is held in contact with said pad by a physical pressurization device of known type, thus ensuring electrical continuity between the conductive plate and the conductive wire.- According to a more advantageous embodiment of the invention, the armature consisting of the two lateral branches, each carrying a conductive plate, also includes a spring element of the "split tube" type, thus constituting both a means of securing the two branches together and, on the other hand, a means of returning the two branches to the position close to the active parts of the branches carrying the conductive plates, each end of the split tube spring being attached to each branch, the separation of the branches causing the split tube to open and putting it under tension, which tends to bring the two back together. branches towards each other. More specifically, the split tube is made of synthetic material and its free ends near the split are engaged in receiving notches, which have been... of moldings, and arranged on each of the branches, the en- the frame appears to be completely devoid of of a metallic organ. Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description that follows and which is given in relation to a more particular embodiment presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the reinforcement and conductive plates according to the invention to the naked state. Figure 2 shows the frame and electrode setup placed on a patient's lower limb. 6 - According to all the figures, the electrode setup consists of two independent branches, 1 and 2, joined together by a connector. intermediate 3 forming spring of the "split tube" type. The ends of the arms of this spring 3 of the "tube" type "split" are committed and mounted in solidarity, each respecting tively of each of the branches 1 and 2 of the armature by exerting a tension that tends to bring the active end respectively 1 and 2 of each of the branches to one towards the other. The terminal arms of the "split tube" spring 3 are fixed to each of the arms 1 and 2, being engaged in notches 4 and 4' respectively coming from each of the branches. On its active part, branches 1 and 2 have on their inner face, facing the other branch, a plate made of conductive material, for example in metal 5. This plate is integral with a stud 6 which passes through the wall of each of the branches and which allows the stripped end 7 of a flexible wire 8 to be received. The wire is inserted into the stud and held in place by a physical pressure element such as, for example, a pressure screw. operated by the dial 9. Each branch 1 and 2 has its own plate 5 (only plate 5 of branch 2 is visible in Figure 1). Furthermore, the active part 1a or 2a of each branch follows a convex and curved profile, the concavity of which is oriented towards the other branch. This allows the entire assembly of branches and conductive plates to conform to the convex contour of the surfaces, for example, the lateral surfaces, of the lower limb receiving the device. On the terminal ends 1b and 2b of each branch 1 and 2 (each opposite an active part 1a, 2a), there is an extension oriented outwards relative to the median axis of the device. These two extensions 1b and 2b, offset angularly outwards, constitute gripping means for grasping the entire assembly, forming a clamp, between the thumb and forefinger. With a single movement, this causes the two branches 1 and 2, particularly their active ends, to separate. la and 2 a carrier of plates 5. It is then easy to position with a single movement the whole thing on the receiving limb. This device greatly simplifies the setup of the means for capturing the observed electric field parameters, since a single set of clamp electrodes can be attached to the receiving member. The two wires 8 can of course be combined and brought together in a single sheath to avoid any connection problems and complications during installation in place. According to an advantageous provision, the two branches res- respectively 1 and 2, which are made of synthetic, could be provided with characteristics different visual ticks, for example each being 8 - a different color from the other; which allows a convenient location for the practitioner for positioning respectively right / left of each of the plates electrical voltage measurement. -9-

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Device for taking an electrical voltage, in particular for medical use and constituting a set of electrodes, in accordance with claim 1 of the patent main, and comprising for this purpose two conductive plates trices capable of being connected by an electrical connection flexible to a measuring device such as a recording device electrocardiographic recording, the two electrodes being mounted on a frame adapted to be held on a lower limb, and the device is characterized in that said frame is made of non-conductive material and it is designed to be deformable between at least two positions, namely a position in which the conductive plates are spaced apart to allow the fitting of the armature and a position in which the conductive plates are brought together by coming to bear on two diametrically opposite points of the limb. 2 Device according to claim 1, and characterized in that the armature comprises two branches (1, 2) of variable spacing and integral with each other, each carrying a conductive plate (5) adapted to come into contact with one of the two faces diametrically opposed to said receiving member. 3 Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, and characterized in that the two branches are mounted on common articulation means allowing the variations angles of one branch relative to the other. - 4 Device according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, and characterized in that said armature comprises a spring member (3) elastically biasing the two branches (1, 2) towards each other and allowing them to be moved apart by tensioning the spring, this with a view to positioning of the said armature and the electrodes (5) which it comprises on the lower limb, this positioning being followed by the automatic return of the two branches towards each other, thus applying the two branches against the two diametrically opposite faces of the lower limb with electrical contact between each of the sides of the limb and the corresponding conductive plate. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, and characterized in that the two branches (1, 2) together constituting a clamp and each branch comprises on the side opposite to its receiving part of the conductive plate trice an extension, the two extensions - (lb, 2 b) coming from the two branches together constituting a manual gripping means between thumb and index finger, the bringing together of the two extensions towards each other causing, in a manner known per se, the separation of the opposite part of each of the branches constituting the active parts supporting the conductive plates. 6 Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, and characterized in that each branch has a face turned towards the other branch which takes on a curvi- concave shape and the electrically conductive plate (5) located on the concave inner face of said branch is also provided with a concave profile corresponding to the profile of the carrier branch, thus allowing a adaptation of each of the branches and its electronic plate electrically conductive on the domed side, preferably side, of the lower limb receiving the device. 11 - 7 Device according to one of claims l to 6, and characterized in that each conductive plate (5) located on the internal face of the branch is in electrical contact by a stud passing through the wall of the said branch and able to receive the electrical contact of a flexible conductive wire (8) whose stripped end is held in contact with said pad by a physical pressurizing device of known type, thereby ensuring electrical continuity between the conductive plate and the wire driver. 8 Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, and characterized in that the armature consisting of the two lateral branches (1, 2), each carrying a conductive plate (5), also comprises a spring member of the "split tube" type (3) thus constituting at the both a means for securing the two branches together and on the other hand a member for returning the two branches to the close position of the active parts of the branches carrying the conductive plates, each end of the split tube spring being integral with each branch, the separation of the branches causing the opening of the split tube and the tensioning of the latter which tends to bring the two branches towards each other the other. 9 Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, and characterized in that the split tube (3) is made of synthetic material and its free ends close to the slot are engaged in receiving notches, coming from moldings, and arranged on each of the branches (1, 2), the whole of the armature thus being completely devoid of metal parts. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two branches respectively (1 and 2), which are made of synthetic material, are provided with different characteristics, for example each being of a different color from the other; which allows convenient identification for the practitioner with a view to the respectively right / left positioning of each of the electrical voltage tapping plates.