Wireless and continuously monitoring electrocardiogram system

Abstract

Techniques are discussed for a continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS). The CWVMS may comprise an external device having at least a first transceiver and a plurality of voltage measuring elements. Each voltage measuring element (VME) of the plurality of voltage measuring elements may include a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample and convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device; and each VME may be configured to produce a timestamp on the digital measured voltage signal.

Description

Attorney Ref. No. MM001WIRELESS AND CONTINUOUSLY MONITORING ELECTROCARDIOGRAM SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application No.63 / 552,612, filed February 12, 2024, entitled “WIRELESS AND CONTINUOUSLY MONITORING MULTI-LEAD ELECTROCARDIOGRAM SYSTEM,” and claims the right of priority under 37 C.F.R. 1.55 and 35 U.S.C. 365(a).TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to wireless measurement systems, and more particularly to electrocardiogram systems.BACKGROUND

[0001] Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death both in the United States and globally, specifically the subset of diseases affecting the heart and the blood vessels supplying the heart. The diagnosis of these diseases, the monitoring of their progression, and the monitoring of treatment efficacy is performed using an electrocardiogram (EKG) device.

[0002] A traditional EKG machine / device obtains its measurement similarly to how a voltmeter obtains a voltage potential between two points on a surface. In the single-lead configuration, the setup includes two adhesive electrodes (which comprise one lead) adhered to the person’s skin, with each electrode connected back to the EKG machine with wires. The EKG machine uses specialized circuitry to find the difference in analog voltages between the two electrodes and outputs this final difference as the EKG trace. The electrodes are separated by a space on the skin that dictates the cardiac plane being measured. For example, the traditional Lead two configuration measures the voltage potential between the electrode on the person’s right shoulder and left leg in a vector nearly parallel to the cardiac electrical axis. Generally, EKG measurements can include any number of leads (and thus, electrodes); the most common configurations are six (6) leads from three (3) electrodes, eight (8) leads from five (5) electrodes, and twelve (12) leads from ten (10) electrodes. More recently, personal health wearable EKG devices — often included as part of a smartwatch — are able to obtain the Lead one EKG trace by setting the first electrode as the back of the watch contacting the person’s wrist and the second electrode as the watch’s crown when the person contacts it withAttorney Ref. No. MM001a finger on their opposite hand. This configuration effectively removes the wires attaching each electrode to the torso of a person and replaces them with the person arms, requiring the person to exert effort in order to obtain the EKG measurement. However, these systems are limited to only a single lead that provides an instantaneous measurement (defined as less than or equal to 30 seconds) when the person exerts effort to obtain the measurement.Generally, in medical settings, a 12-lead EKG is the gold standard for such endeavors; however, access to an EKG device outside of a medical setting is poor. As discussed, in recent years, personal health wearable EKG devices have become popular for their ability to accessibly monitor a person’s heart, leading to earlier diagnoses and thus earlier intervention that ultimately promote better patient outcomes. Yet by nature of their hardwired circuit designs, the current wearable EKG devices are limited to 1-lead, instantaneous measurements. In turn, this limits their ability to effectively detect temporally unpredictable cardiac conditions, such as arrhythmias, as well as provide spatial and severity data during Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) events, such as myocardial infarctions. Moreover, these known personal health wearable EKG devices are not able to continuously monitor a person’s cardiac electrical activity with multiple leads to identify abnormal rhythms both before and during cardiac events and symptoms.

[0003] As such, there is a need for a system and method to address these issues.SUMMARY

[0004] Techniques are discussed for a continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS). The CWVMS may comprise an external device having at least a first transceiver and a plurality of voltage measuring elements. Each voltage measuring element (VME) of the plurality of voltage measuring elements may include a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample and convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device; and each VME may be configured to produce a timestamp on the digital measured voltage signal.

[0005] Also discussed is a VME. The VME may comprise: a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and time-stamp the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, whereinAttorney Ref. No. MM001the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device.

[0006] Further the VME may also, or instead, comprise: at least one transceiver; at least one memory; a VAE; and at least one processor in signal communication with the at least one memory, the VAE, and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, with the VAE, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, time-stamp the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs, and transmit, with the at least one transceiver, the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0007] Moreover, also discussed is a VME comprising: means for receiving a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; means for converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; means for timestamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and means for transmitting the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0008] Further a method is discussed for measuring, with the VME, a voltage at a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, the method comprising: receiving, with a VAE, a measured analog voltage signal from the probe; converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; time-stamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and transmitting, with at least one transceiver, the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0009] Also discussed is a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a VME to process a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising: code for receiving, with a VAE, the measured analog voltage signal from the probe; code for converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; code for time-stamping theAttorney Ref. No. MM001digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and code for transmitting the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0010] Furthermore, also discussed is a CWVMS comprising: an external device having at least a first transceiver; a plurality of VMEs; means for receiving, with a VAE of a VME, of a plurality of VMEs, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; means for converting the measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; means for time-stamping the first digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the first digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs of the plurality of VMEs; means for transmitting the first digital measured voltage signal to the first transceiver of the external device; means for receiving a plurality of digital measured voltage signals from the plurality of VMEs, wherein the plurality of digital measured voltage signals includes the first digital measured voltage signal and each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp; means for aligning the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding time-stamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and means for determining a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.

[0011] Moreover also discussed is a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a CWVMS to process a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, wherein the CWVMS includes an external device having at least a first transceiver and a plurality of VMEs, the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising: code for receiving, with a VAE of a VME, of a plurality of VMEs, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; code for converting the measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; code for time-stamping the first digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the first digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs of the plurality of VMEs; code for transmitting the first digital measured voltage signal to the first transceiver of the external device; code for receiving a plurality of digital measured voltage signals from the plurality of VMEs, wherein the plurality of digital measured voltage signals includes the first digitalAttorney Ref. No. MM001measured voltage signal and each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp; code for aligning the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding timestamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and code for determining a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.

[0012] Other devices, apparatuses, systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional devices, apparatuses, systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. l is a simplified system block diagram of an example of an implementation of a continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS) in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of components of an example of an implementation of the voltage measuring element (VME) shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of components of an example of an implementation of the voltage analysis element (VAE) shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4A is a perspective top view of an example of an implementation of the VME shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4B is a perspective bottom view of an example of an implementation of the VME shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 5A is a perspective top view of an example of an implementation of a probe shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5B is a perspective bottom view of the example of the probe shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5A in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a system block diagram of an example of an implementation of the plurality of VMEs in signal communication with a charging station in accordance with the present disclosure.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0021] FIG. 7 is an example of an implementation of the external device shown in FIG. 1 as a portable computing device.

[0022] FIG. 8 is plot of an electrocardiogram (EKG) trace produced on the portable computing device shown in FIG. 7

[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method performed by a VME shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example of an implementation of a method for generating an EKG trace with CWVMS shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Techniques are discussed for a continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS). The CWVMS may include: an external device having at least a first transceiver; and a plurality of voltage measuring elements (VMEs). Each voltage measuring element (VME) of the plurality of VMEs may include a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample and convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device. In this example, each VME is configured to produce a timestamp on the digital measured voltage signal.

[0026] Also discussed is a VME. The VME may comprise: a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and time-stamp the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device.

[0027] Further the VME may also, or instead, comprise: at least one transceiver; at least one memory; a VAE; and at least one processor in signal communication with the at least one memory, the VAE, and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, with the VAE, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, time-stamp the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestampAttorney Ref. No. MM001is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs, and transmit, with the at least one transceiver, the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0028] Moreover, also discusses is a VME comprising: means for receiving a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; means for converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; means for timestamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and means for transmitting the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0029] Further a method is discussed for measuring, with the VME, a voltage at a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, the method comprising: receiving, with a VAE, a measured analog voltage signal from the probe; converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; time-stamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and transmitting, with at least one transceiver, the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0030] Also discussed is a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a VME to process a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising: code for receiving, with a VAE, the measured analog voltage signal from the probe; code for converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; code for time-stamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and code for transmitting the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0031] Furthermore, also discussed is a CWVMS comprising: an external device having at least a first transceiver; a plurality of VMEs; means for receiving, with a VAE of a VME, of a plurality of VMEs, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; means for converting the measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; means for time-stamping the first digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the first digital measured voltageAttorney Ref. No. MM001signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs of the plurality of VMEs; means for transmitting the first digital measured voltage signal to the first transceiver of the external device; means for receiving a plurality of digital measured voltage signals from the plurality of VMEs, wherein the plurality of digital measured voltage signals includes the first digital measured voltage signal and each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp; means for aligning the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding time-stamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and means for determining a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.

[0032] Moreover also discussed is a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a CWVMS to process a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, wherein the CWVMS includes an external device having at least a first transceiver and a plurality of VMEs, the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising: code for receiving, with a VAE of a VME, of a plurality of VMEs, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; code for converting the measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; code for time-stamping the first digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the first digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs of the plurality of VMEs; code for transmitting the first digital measured voltage signal to the first transceiver of the external device; code for receiving a plurality of digital measured voltage signals from the plurality of VMEs, wherein the plurality of digital measured voltage signals includes the first digital measured voltage signal and each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp; code for aligning the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding timestamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and code for determining a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.EKG Devices

[0033] Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death both in the United States and globally and specifically the subset of CVDs affecting the heart and the blood vessels supplying the heart are of especial concern. The diagnosis of these diseases, the monitoring ofAttorney Ref. No. MM001their progression, and the monitoring of treatment efficacy is generally performed using an electrocardiogram (generally known as an ECG or EKG) device.

[0034] Typically, an EKG is one of the simplest and fastest known tests used to evaluate the heart of a patient. An EKG is a test that measures the rhythm including its nuances by recording the electrical signals in the heart. Generally, in known EKG devices, electrodes (typically small, plastic and foam patches that stick to the skin) are placed at certain spots on the chest, arms, and legs of the patient and the electrodes are connected to an EKG machine by lead wires. The electrical activity of the heart is then measured, interpreted, and printed out.

[0035] In operation, natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the atria and ventricular components of the heart to maintain physiological blood flow patterns in a patient and an EKG records these impulses to show how fast the heart is beating, the rhythm of the heart beats (steady or irregular), a the location of the electrical impulses in the heart tissue, and the timing of the electrical impulses as they move through the different parts of the heart. Any changes in an EKG can be a sign of one of many heart-related conditions. Test results can help diagnose Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) events, such myocardial infarctions colloquially known as heart attacks, and irregular rhythms of heartbeats, called arrhythmias.

[0036] An EKG records the electrical activity (i.e., small electrical changes) generated by heart muscle depolarizations (i.e., a negative change in the electric charge) and repolarizations of the heart tissue that occur in each cardiac cycle to ultimately produce a heart contraction and reset the heart tissue following completion of the contraction, which propagates as pulsating electrical waves towards the skin of a patient. Although the amount of electricity is in fact very small (i.e., having microvolt “uV” levels), it can nonetheless be measured reliably with EKG electrodes attached to the skin.

[0037] In general, a full EKG setup may include, for example, four electrodes which are placed on the chest or at the four extremities (i.e., the right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg) of a patient. Variations of this setup may also be used to allow more flexible and less intrusive recordings if desired, for example, it is possible to attach the electrodes to just the forearms and legs of the patient. As another variation, a two electrode setup may be utilized to produce a single lead such as, for example, on the left and right arm, left arm and left leg, right arm and left leg. In these examples, the EKG electrodes are typically wet sensors, meaning that they require the use of a conductive gel to increase conductivity between skin and electrodes.

[0038] As another example, a conventional / traditional EKG of a human patient generally utilizes twelve (12) leads to produce a 12-lead EKG that is taken while the patient is lyingAttorney Ref. No. MM001down. In this approach, ten (10) electrodes are placed (i.e., attached) on the surface of the chest and limbs of the patient. The overall magnitude of the electrical potential of the heart is the measured from twelve different angles (i.e., “leads”) and is recorded over a period of time (for example, ten seconds). In this way, the overall magnitude and direction of the electrical depolarization of the heart of the patient is captured at each moment throughout the cardiac cycle.

[0039] In general, there are three main components to an EKG trace that include: a P wave, which represents depolarization of the atria; a QRS complex, which represents depolarization of the ventricles; and a T wave, which represents repolarization of the ventricles. The repolarization of the atria on the EKG trace is masked by the higher magnitude repolarization of the ventricles. During each heartbeat, a healthy heart has an orderly progression of depolarization that starts with pacemaker cells in the sinoatrial node, spreads throughout the atrium, and passes through the atrioventricular node down into the Bundle of His (BH) and into the Purkinje fibers, spreading throughout the ventricles. This orderly pattern of depolarization gives rise to the characteristic EKG tracing. To a trained clinician, an EKG generally conveys a large amount of information about the structure of the heart and the function of its electrical conduction system. Among other things, an EKG can be used to measure the rate and rhythm of heartbeats, the size and position of the heart chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart's muscle cells or conduction system, the effects of heart drugs, and the function of implanted pacemakers.The CWVMS

[0040] In this disclosure, the CWVMS may be a personal wearable EKG device that allows a patient (i.e., a person or other animal), to monitor the heart of the patient that may lead to earlier diagnoses and thus earlier intervention that ultimately promote better health outcomes for the patient. Since the CWVMS may be implemented as a portable and wearable multi-lead EKG device producing multiple instantaneous measurements, the CWVMS may be configured to detect temporally unpredictable cardiac conditions, such as arrhythmias, as well as provide spatial and severity data during Acute Coronary Syndrome events, such as myocardial infarctions. In this disclosure, the CWVMS may be, for example, a personal health wearable EKG device that continuously monitors the cardiac electrical activity of a patient with multiple leads to identify any abnormal rhythms both before and during cardiac events and symptoms.

[0041] In this example, as discussed previously, the CWVMS may include an external device having at least a first transceiver; and a plurality of VMEs. As an example, the CWVMS mayAttorney Ref. No. MM001include two (2) to ten (10) VMEs, or even more. If the CWVMS includes ten VMEs, the CWVMS may be configured to produce a 12-lead EKG as previously discussed, were the ten VMEs (in combination with attached probes on the body of the patient) act as the previously described ten electrodes that attached on the surface of the chest and limbs of the patient. The overall magnitude of the electrical potential of the heart may then be the measured from twelve different planes (i.e., “leads”) and is recorded over a period of time (for example, ten seconds).

[0042] However, unlike known EKG devices, the CWVMS is configured to measure each voltage on the surface of the patient at the individual VMEs. These measured voltages are analog voltage values that have been measured by each VME at different and locations along the body of the patient (i.e., along the surface of chest and limbs of the patient) corresponding to the specific locations that each VME has been attached to the body of the patient.

[0043] Each VME may include devices, components, modules, circuitry, and software that allows each VME to receive the measured analog voltage at the specific location, convert that analog voltage to a digital voltage signal that corresponds to measured analog voltage, and time-stamp the digital voltage signal with a timestamp that provides a time reference to the digital voltage signal. The time-stamping of digital voltage signals produced by each VME allows an external device such, for example, the external device, to receive the digital voltage signals from a multiple VMEs and align their respective digital voltage signals such that the external device may then produce an EKG trace from the digital voltage signals.

[0044] In this example, each VME is also configured to wirelessly transmit its corresponding digital voltage signal (with a corresponding timestamp) to the external device (e.g., the mobile device). In this example, each VME may include a VME transceiver capable of communicating with the external device, a VAE configured to measure and convert the measured analog voltage signal to the digital voltage signal with the timestamp.

[0045] Each voltage measuring element (VME) of the plurality of VMEs may include a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample and convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device. In this example, each VME is configured to produce a timestamp on the digital voltage signal. Each VME may also include at least one processor, at least one memory, clock, software, and other optional devices, components, modules, or circuits that are configured to time-stamp, process, and store the measured digital voltage signal. In this example, each VMEAttorney Ref. No. MM001may be configured to store multiple measurements and digital voltage signals for uploading to the external device at a later time (when not making real-time measurements and reporting).

[0046] As such, as a first example, the CWVMS may be a device (such as, for example, an EKG) that continuously monitors a plurality of VMEs that are worn by the patient at different locations along a chest and limbs of the patient, where each of the VMEs acts an individual voltage sensor measuring corresponding voltages at a specific location along the chest of the patient. Each VME is then configured to, for example, convert the measured voltage at the specific location to a digital signal representing the voltage, timestamp the digital signal, and then transmit the digital signal to the external device. As an example, the CWVMS may include, for example, an input / output (VO) device and / or a display on the external device to display any produced EKG traces. In this example, the two or more wireless transmitted digital signal or measured voltage may be aligned utilizing the timestamps of the individual digital signals.

[0047] As an example, the external device may be a fixed device (e.g., an EKG machine at a health facility that is configured to wirelessly communicate with the various VMEs attached to the patient, a desktop computer system with an EKG application, etc.) or a mobile device that may be moved about and even wore by the patient. Examples of mobile devices may be portable EKG machines, EKG watches, smartphones with an EKG application, mobile computers, tablets, etc.

[0048] Utilizing this example, the CWVMW may be configured to measure an EKG trace of a patient either as an interval of time or continuously throughout time, with two or more wireless transmitted measured voltages (i.e., the digital signal of the measured voltages).

[0049] By utilizing these measured EKG traces, the CWVMS may be configured to determine if the patient has a healthy or abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm in real-time. Additionally, the measured EKG tracing may be utilized to predict if the patient will have the healthy or abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm in the future. Moreover, the CWVMS may also be configured to notify the patient and / or other entity of the rhythms that are medical emergencies in real-time, and the rhythms that have the potential to become medical emergencies in the future. Furthermore, the CWVMS may be configured to provide both patients and healthcare providers with temporal, spatial, and severity information about the abnormal cardiac rhythms.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0050] As another example, the CWVMW may also be, an electroencephalogram (EEG) device instead of an EKG device. As an EEG device, the CWVMW may be configured to measure, test, and / or record the brain activity of the patient.

[0051] As a further example, the CWVMS may instead be any device that may be utilized to measure voltage potentials from wireless probes that are remote from the external device such as, for example, a wireless voltmeter. In this example, the CWVMS may be utilized to measure voltages on non-biological samples (i.e., non-patients).

[0052] As an example of an EKG device, the CWVMS may be a completely wireless personal heath wearable EKG device with a real-time, continuous cardiac electrical rhythm monitoring. In this example, the CWVMS may include at least one VME that operates as a voltage analysis unit, where the VME is secured to a probe (which may also be known as a voltage sensing unit (VSU)) and an external device that operates as a personal computing device (PCD). In this example, the at least one VME may include a housing, a mechanism to secure the VME to the VSU (i.e., the probe), a mechanism to electrically couple the VME to the VSU, a power source, a plurality of sensors, and wireless communication and control electronics. The VSU may include a complementary mechanism to secure the VSU to the VME, complementary mechanism to electrically couple the VSU to the VME, an attaching means (e.g., adhesive) to adhere the VSU to skin of a patient, and a plurality of sensors.

[0053] The CWVMS may also include a charging case including an openable housing, dedicated spaces with recharging electronics for the at least one VME to recharge its power source while not in use, a power source, a charging port and an accompanying charging cord, an LED light, a plurality of sensors, and wireless communication and control electronics. In this example, the PCD may include software for the EKG trace calculations, the analysis, and as the primary interface with the user (e.g. the PCD may be a smartphone). As an example, the sensors for the CWVMS may include least one transducer selected from the group comprising: at least one voltage sensing electrode; at least one voltage analog-to-digital converter (ADC); at least one temperature to electrical signal transducer; at least one three-dimensional coordinate gyroscope to electrical signal transducer; at least one blood oxygenation to electrical signal transducer; at least one capacitive sensor; a power source power level sensor; and a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor. Moreover, the wireless communications and control electronics may include circuitry to provide at least one function selected from the group consisting of: using radio wave signals originating from the VME to send the data obtained from the VME and the VSU to the charging case and the PCD; usingAttorney Ref. No. MM001radio waves signals to communicate command signals between the VME, the charging case, and the PCD to modify behavior of the VME, the charging case, and the PCD; and using radio waves to time align the data obtained from the VME and the VSU for analysis.

[0054] Turning to FIG. 1, a simplified system block diagram of an example of an implementation of a CWVMS 100 is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the CWVMS 100 may include an external device 102 (e.g., a fixed or mobile device) and a plurality of VMEs 104. The external device 102 may be, for example, any wireless device such as a mobile terminal, mobile station, portable computing device such as for example, a cellphone, smartphone, computing tablet, laptop / notebook computer, Internet-of-Thing (loT) device, portable digital assistant (PDA), smart watch, or other similar type of portable computing devices.

[0055] The external device 102 includes at least one transceiver 106 configured to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of VMEs 104. As an example, the at least one transceiver 106 may include one or more transceivers that are configured to wirelessly communicate with each VME of the plurality of VMEs 104 and an additional transceiver to wirelessly communicate with a remote entity 108. In this example, the at least one transceiver 106 may be configured to communicate via a short-range wireless configuration with the plurality of VMEs 104 via, for example, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, or other radio communications schemes, while also being configured to communicate with the remote entity 108 via, for example, Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi®, Wi-Max®, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Radio Access Technologies (RAT) such as cellular communications such as, for example, GSM (Global System for Mobiles), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, or 6G, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax®), or other similar radio communications schemes. As an example, the VMEs may also be loT type devices that allow the VMEs to have direct access to the Internet via wireless communication were the VMEs may optionally directly communicate with the remote entity 108 via the Internet.

[0056] In this example, the external device 102 may further include at least one processor 110, at least one memory 112, an I / O device 114, software 116, and a data bus 118. The external device 102 may also further an optional at least one display device 120 and optional other devices 122. In this example, the data bus 118 is shown in signal communication with the at least one transceiver 106, the at least one processor 110, the at least one memory 112,Attorney Ref. No. MM001the I / O device 114, software 116, the optional at least one display 120, and the optional other devices 122.

[0057] Turning to plurality of VMEs 104, in this example, a number “A” of VMEs are generally shown but for easy of illustration, only three (3) VMEs (first (1st) VME 124, second (2nd) VME 126, and A VME 128) are shown. As will be discussed later in relation to FIG. 2, each VME of the plurality of VMEs 104 includes: a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface 130 of a sample 132 and convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage (DMV) signal; and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device 102 and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device 102. Moreover, each VME is configured to produce a timestamp on the DMV signal.

[0058] In this example, the plurality of VMEs 104 are all shown attached on the surface 130 of the sample 132 that may be a patient having a biological body, for example, a human being or an animal. Each VME is attached at specific locations along the surface 130 of the sample 132 to provide specific voltage measurements at those locations. While not explicitly shown in FIG. 1, each VME is attached to the surface 130 via a corresponding probe that is physically attached to a surface 130 of a sample 132. The probes may be attached to the surface 130 utilizing, for example, adhesive; and the each VME may be removably attached to a corresponding probe via a removably attachable mechanical means. As an example, the 1stVME 124 may be attached to the surface 130 at a first (1st) location 134, the 2ndVME 126 may be attached to the surface 130 at a second (2nd) location 136, and the AAVME 128 may be attached to the surface 130 at a / A location 138.

[0059] In this example, the 1stVME 124, the 2ndVME 126, the AAVME 128 are each configured to measure a voltage signal at its corresponding attached probe for the 1stlocation 134, the 2ndlocation 136, and the Nthlocation 138, respectively, and produce the corresponding first (1st) DMV signal 140, second (2nd) DMV signal 142, and AADMV signal 144 that are transmitted to the at least one transceiver 106 at the external device 102.

[0060] As an example, the sample 132 may be the body of patient that may be, for example, a human being having a chest and limbs. In this example, the 1stVME 124, the 2ndVME 126, through the NthVME 128 may be physically attached to the surface 130 (i.e., the skin) of the patient where the 1stlocation 134, the 2ndlocation 136, through the AAlocation 138 are locations along the body of the patient that would optionally include the chest and / or limbs of the patient. In this example, the resulting 1stDMV signal 140, 2ndDMV signal 142, throughAttorney Ref. No. MM001TV* DMV signal 144 are then the measured DMV signals that may be utilized to produce, for example, an EKG trace of the heart of the patient.

[0061] In this example, as an EKG device, the external device 102 may be configured to perform a method for analysis of the EKG traces, where the external device 102 includes software (within one or more applications 150 of the software 116) to identify the healthy and the abnormal electrical rhythms obtained using the CWVMS 100 in real-time; (b) software to predict if future EKG traces will be in the healthy or the abnormal waveform using trend EKG data in real-time; (c) software to present the EKG traces and the findings of its analysis to the user on the external device 102.

[0001] The circuits, components, modules, and / or devices of, or associated with the CWVMS 100, external device 102, each of the VMEs of the plurality of VMEs 104, and other devices are described, or will be described, as being in signal communication, communicatively coupled, and / or electrically coupled (or simply “coupled”) with each other, where signal communication refers to any type of communication and / or connection between the circuits, components, modules, and / or devices that allows a circuit, component, module, and / or device to pass and / or receive signals and / or information from another circuit, component, module, and / or device. The communication and / or connection may be along any signal path between the circuits, components, modules, and / or devices that allows signals and / or information to pass from one circuit, component, module, and / or device to another and includes wireless or wired signal paths. The signal paths may be physical, such as, for example, conductive wires, electromagnetic wave guides, cables, attached and / or electromagnetic or mechanically coupled terminals, semi-conductive or dielectric materials or devices, or other similar physical connections or couplings. Additionally, signal paths may be non-physical such as free-space (in the case of electromagnetic propagation) or information paths through digital components where communication information may be passed from one circuit, component, module, and / or device to another in varying digital formats without passing through a direct electromagnetic connection.

[0002] In FIG. 2, a system block diagram is shown of components of an example of an implementation of a VME 200 in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the VME 200 may be an example of an implementation of any single VME of the plurality of VMEs 104 shown in FIG. 1, i.e., either the 1stVME 124, 2ndVME 126, or W VME 128. In this example, the VME 200 may be physically and electrically attached to a probe 202 that is attached to the surface 130 of the sample 132 at a location 204. In this example, the locationAttorney Ref. No. MM001204 may be either the 1stlocation 134, 2ndlocation 136, or TV* location 138 (shown in FIG. 1) that corresponds to the appropriate VME, i.e., either the 1stVME 124, 2ndVME 126, or NthVME 128.

[0003] In this example, the VME 200 may include voltage analysis element (VAE) 206, at least one VME transceiver 208, and at least one antenna 210. The VME 200 may also include an optional at least one VME processor 212, optional at least one memory 214, optional clock 216, optional software 218 having an optional at least one application 220, optional VME power supply 222, and optional other device 224 and in signal communication with the VAE 206 and at least one VME transceiver 208 via, for example, a system bus 226.

[0004] In an example of operation, the VME 200 may receive a voltage signal 228 from probe 202, where the voltage signal 228 may be an analog voltage potential measured by the probe 202 on the surface 130 of the sample 132 at the location 204. Once received by the VME 200, the VAE 206 may convert the voltage signal 228 to an intermediate digital signal (IDS) 230 that is transmitted to the at least one VME transceiver 208. The VAE 206 may time-stamp IDS 230 utilizing a time reference produced from the optional clock 216. The at least one transceiver 208 is then configured to convert the IDS 230 into the DMVS 232 that is transmitted to the external device 102 via the at least one VME transceiver 208 and at least one antenna 210. In this example, the VAE is generally a voltage sensing unit, component, device, and / or circuit that may include an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter.

[0005] The VME 200 may be configured to communicate with the external device 102 and establish a communication channel via known techniques such as, utilizing, for example, a hand-shake or any other wireless registration procedure to allow the external device 102 to recognize and establish communication with the VME 200.

[0006] In FIG. 3, a system block diagram is shown of components of an example of an implementation of the VAE 206 in accordance with the present disclosure. As an example, the VAE 206 may include a sensing circuit 300 and an ADC 302. The sensing circuit 300 may be any circuit configured to detect the measured analog voltage signal 228 from the probe 202 and produce and intermediate analog signal 304 that is passed to the ADC 302.

[0007] In this example, in general, the sensing circuit 300 may be a circuit that measures and monitors voltage levels within an object, detecting either an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) voltage. The sensing circuit 300 may be configured to an input voltage (i.e., the measured analog voltage signal 228) and output an analog voltage signal or current signal. In this example, the output of the sensing circuit 300 is the intermediate analog signal 304 thatAttorney Ref. No. MM001may be a voltage or current signal. It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the sensing circuit 300, for example, may be implemented as a circuit that is based on a voltage divider, where the sensing circuit 300 may be a capacitive type voltage sensor and resistive type voltage sensor.

[0008] The ADC 302 may be implemented as a system or circuit that converts an analog signal (e.g., the intermediate analog signal 304) into a digital signal (e.g., the IDS 230). The ADC 302 may also convert an analog input voltage or current to a digital number representing the magnitude of the voltage or current. As an example, the digital output may be a two's complement binary number that is proportional to the input, but there are other possibilities. In general, the ADC 302 is configured to convert a continuous-time and continuous-amplitude analog signal to a discrete-time and discrete-amplitude digital signal. The conversion involves quantization of the input (e.g., the intermediate analog signal 304). Further, instead of continuously performing the conversion, the ADC 302 may be optionally configured to do the conversion periodically, sampling the intermediate analog signal 304. Generally, the ADC 302 may be implemented with a number of different ADC architectures that generally include precisely matched components. As such, the ADC 302 may be implemented as, or part of, an integrated circuit (IC). In this example, the ADC 302 may utilize a timing signal 306 to process the conversion. The timing signal 306 may be generated by the optional clock 216 of the VME 200.

[0009] Moreover, the timing signal 306 may be utilized to time-stamp the output of the ADC 302 with a timestamp utilizing the timing signal 306. In this example, the IDS 230 may include the timestamp where the ADC 302 includes additional circuitry to time-stamp the digital signal to generate the IDS 230 with the timing signal 306 or the IDS 230 may be time-stamped later by the at least one VME processor 212 or other device 224 within the VME 200 utilizing the timing signal 306 as a time reference. The IDS 230 is then passed to the VME transceiver 208 that processes the IDS 230 and transmits the information of the IDS 230 via the DMVS 232 to the external device 102.

[0062] Turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an example of an implementation of the VME 400 is shown in accordance with present disclosure. In his example, FIG. 4A is a perspective top view of an example of an implementation of the VME 400 in accordance with the present disclosure. Similarly, FIG. 4B is a perspective bottom view of an example of the implementation of the VME 400 in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the VME 400 may include a housing 402 that includes all the electronics, components, andAttorney Ref. No. MM001systems discussed previously in relation to FIG. 2. In FIG. 4B, an example of physical attaching mechanism 404 is shown at the bottom 406 of the VME 400. The attaching mechanism 404 is configured to attach to a probe. In this example, the housing 402 of the VME 400 may be constructed of a rigid material such as, for example, wood, metal, or plastic. As an example, the outside casing of the housing 402 may comprise a strong and durable but lightweight material that is permeable to radio wave communication, such as a plastic, and is reinforced from the inside by a stronger material structure such as, for example, a metal. The outside casing of the housing 402 may also comprise a mechanism to secure the VME 400 onto the probe 500 in a watertight and / or hermetically-sealed fashion. In this example, the VME 400 may also include: for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) 410 (e.g., a multi-colored LED) for providing information such as, for example, battery and connection status; and a control button 412 to control the VME 400 or perform another function that can be initiate by the user.

[0063] In FIG. 5A, a perspective top view of an example of an implementation of a probe 500 is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the probe 500 may include an electrode 502, probe attaching mechanism 504, and an adhesive patch 506. In FIG.5B, a perspective bottom view of the example of the probe 500 is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In general, the probe 500 is an adhesive electrode that is designed to securely connect to the VME 400 by at least one of the disclosed mechanisms.

[0064] In this example, the probe attaching mechanism 504 is a complementary attaching mechanism that is configured to removably attach to the attaching mechanism 404 of the VME 400. Both the attaching mechanism 404 and probe attaching mechanism 504 may be, for example, a nut and bolt type attaching mechanism that allows the VME 400 to be attached to the probe 500 by screwing on the attaching mechanism 404 on to the probe attaching mechanism 504. Alternatively, the attaching mechanism 404 and probe attaching mechanism 504 may be a part of a latch or snap-on type of attaching and locking mechanism that allows the VME 400 to be physically and removably attached to the probe 500. In this example, the electrode 502 is shown as extending outward from the top surface of the probe 500 and the VME 400 is shown having an electrode opening 408 configured to receive the electrode 502 within the housing 402 of the VME 400. While not shown, the VME 400 includes a sensing circuit 300 within the housing 402 that will be in signal communication (i.e., electrically coupled) to the electrode 502 of the probe 500 when the electrode 502 is pressed into theAttorney Ref. No. MM001electrode opening 408 of the VME 400. In this example, the electrode 502 may be constructed of a rigid conductive material such as, for example, metal or other rigid conductive material.

[0065] On the bottom side (i.e., the backside) of the probe 500, the electrode 502 may be a flat conductive layer 508 on the bottom surface of the probe 500 surrounded by an outer ring that is an adhesive patch 506 having an adhesive material 510 along the bottom surface of the adhesive patch 506. The adhesive patch 506 is configured to be applied and attached to the skin of the patient. Examples of the flat conductive layer 508 may include, for example, a conductive electrolyte gel that, in itself, contains conductive metal-metal salt material for voltage sensing (e.g., a silver / silver chloride conductor) that permits electron conduction from the skin to the electrode 502.

[0066] In general, the attaching mechanism 404, probe attaching mechanism 504, electrode 502 and electrode opening 408 may be designed to be watertight and / or hermetically sealed when the VME 400 is removably attached to the probe 500.

[0067] Turning to FIG. 6, a system block diagram of an example of an implementation of the plurality of VMEs 104 (i.e., 1stVME 124, 2ndVME 126, through NthVME 128) is shown in signal communication with a charging station 600 in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, each VME of the plurality of VMEs 104 may include the optional VME power supply 222 and electronic equipment / circuitry for recharging the VME power supply 222 with the charging station 600, including at least one of the following: (a) metal strips on the outside of the housing of the individual VMEs that interface with internal power supply circuitry, (b) circuitry for receiving wireless charging (e.g. inductive charging), (c) a female end charging port that connects with a male end. Each VMEs may also include an optional power level indication that may be utilized to indicate the level of charge of the VME. In this example, each VME is individually in signal communication with the charging station 600 for power charging and (optionally) communication. The charging station 600 may be utilized to charge the power supplies within the individual VMEs and, as will be discussed later, initialize and synchronize the VMEs to each other for use with the timestamps previously discussed.

[0068] In this example, the charging station 600 may be configured to: store for the VME, or VMEs, when not in use; recharge the VME power supply 222 when the VME is not in use; and synchronizing each VME to the same timeline prior to obtaining measurements. In this example, the charging station 600 may provide a timing signal independent of, or in combination with the timing signal 306, to establish the timestamps for the IDS (including IDS 230) of the different VMEs. As an example, the charging station 600 may establish an initialAttorney Ref. No. MM001time for the timestamps of the VMEs prior to deploying them on the body of a patient and obtaining measurements, while the timing signal 306 from an internal clocks within the VMEs may be utilized to maintain the timing of the system to once the measurements are taken.

[0069] In this example, the charging station 600 may include a housing, the power supply, a charging port with and the accompanying charging cord, at least one processor, and the circuitry for wirelessly communication with the VMEs and the external device 102. Similar to the VME 400, the charging station 600 may have a housing material that is the strong and durable but also of a lightweight material that is permeable to radio wave signals, such as a plastic. The charging station 600 may have a housing that has, for example, an openable hinged lid that is secured using at least one of the following mechanisms: magnets; a latch; a clasp; and / or a button. In this example, with the lid opened, the housing may have at least one dedicated slot for at least one VME; when the lid is closed, the VME inside of the dedicated slot may be held securely and completely enclosed by the charging station 600. The dedicated slot may include electronic equipment, devices, components, and / or circuits configured to interface with the recharging electronic equipment on the VME, including at least one of the following: counterpart metal strips / prongs that interface with the metal strips on the VME outer housing; circuitry for donating wireless charging (e.g. inductive charging); the male end that connects with the female end charging port on the VME. Moreover, the charging station 600 may itself have a power supply that is used for its own processing and communication purposes, as well as to provide the necessary power to recharge the VME or VMEs. The charging station 600 power supply itself may be recharged using the USB charging cable and the USB port on the outer housing, and the power level may be presented to the person via varying colors of the LED light on its housing and via the external device 102 software.

[0070] In order for the EKG traces to be accurate, the voltages obtained at each location on the person by each VME must be synchronized to the same timeline (i.e., via a time alignment algorithm). For example, the EKG trace for Lead 2 must be calculated by finding the difference between the voltages from the VME at the left leg and from the VME at the right shoulder that were measured at the same point in time. If the timestamp of the subtracted voltages differ by a time period greater than a reasonable error margin, the EKG trace will not be an accurate representation of the cardiac electrical rhythm.

[0071] The time between the VMEs can be synchronized by at least one of the following methods: being directly configured by the charging station 600 so as to receive a start signal from the charging station 600; and / or being wirelessly connected and configured by theAttorney Ref. No. MM001charging station 600 or external device 102 so as to receive the start signal. In both examples, either the charging station 600, the external device 102, or both may be in signal communication with all of the VMEs such that either device is capable of establishing the proper timing for all of the VMEs.

[0072] In the directly wired method, each VME may be directly connected in some fashion to the charging station 600; therefore, both the VME and charging station 600 may also contain the circuitry for communicating command signals. For example, the VME processing circuity can interface with the charging station 600 processing circuity while the VME is in its dedicated slot in the charging station 600 using an interface technique that is similar to the interface technique used for charging the VME.

[0073] In this example, when a user signals to begin measuring their EKG via the external device 102 software 116, the VMEs may be inside or in signal communication with the of the charging station 600. The charging station 600 may then provide a signal to start the internal timer on each VME at the same time, thereby synchronizing the timers between each VME. The VMEs can then be removed from, or disconnected from, the charging station 600 and applied to the body of the patient with the VMEs to obtain the voltages. In the wireless method, the system utilizes a similar process flow, except that the signal is provided wirelessly by the external device 102 to each VME at the same time and any delays due to wireless transmission in the timestamps are aligned post-measurement.

[0074] In these examples, the optional clock 216 within the VMEs may be synchronized with a master timing signal from either the charging station 600 and / or external device 102 such that the timing signal 306 is produced by a synchronized time source that is synchronized across all the VMEs.

[0075] FIG. 7 is an example of an implementation of the external device 102 as a portable computing device (PCD) 700. As an example, the PCD 700 may be a portable computer, notebook computer, tablet, or other mobile computing device. The PCD 700 may include all of the components, devices, modules, and circuits described earlier in relation to the external device 102 including a display 702. The display 702 may be used to display the EKG trace 800 shown in FIG. 8.

[0076] Turning to FIG. 9, a flowchart is shown of an example of an implementation of a method 900 for measuring, with a VME 200, a voltage at a probe 202 attached to a surface 130 of a sample 132 being measured in accordance with the present disclosure. The method 900 comprises: receiving, at stage 902 with a VAE 206, a measured analog voltage signal 228 fromAttorney Ref. No. MM001the probe 202; converting, at stage 904, the measured voltage signal 228 to a digital measured voltage signal (i.e., IDS 230); time-stamping, at stage 906, the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, where the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and transmitting, at stage 908, with at least one VME transceiver 208, the digital measured voltage signal (i.e., DMVS 232) to an external device 102.

[0077] In FIG. 10, a flowchart is shown of an example of an implementation of a method 1000 for generating an EKG trace with CWVMS 100. The method 1000 includes: receiving, at stage 1002, with a first VAE, a first measured analog voltage signal from a first probe attached to a skin of a patient, wherein the first VAE is part of a first VME of the plurality of voltage measuring elements; receiving, at stage 1004, with a second VAE, a second measured analog voltage signal from a second probe attached to the skin of the patient, wherein the second VAE is part of a second VME of the plurality of voltage measuring elements; converting, at stage 1006, the first measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; converting, at stage 1008, the second measured voltage signal to a second digital measured voltage signal; time-stamping, at stage 1010, the first digital measured voltage signal with a first timestamp and the second digital measured voltage signal with a second timestamp, where the first timestamp and second timestamp are configured to allow the first digital measured voltage signal and second digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and transmitting, at stage 1012, to the external device, the first digital measured voltage signal from the first VME and the second digital measured voltage signal from the second VME. The method 1000 further includes: aligning, at stage 1014, the first digital measured voltage signal and the second digital measured voltage utilizing the first timestamp and second timestamp; determining, at stage 1016, a voltage difference between the first digital measured voltage and the second digital measured voltage, wherein the voltage difference represents an electrical potential difference value between the first VME and the second VME; and generating, at stage 1018, the EKG trace from the voltage difference.

[0078] Turning back to FIG. 1, software 116 of the external device 102 may have applications 150 that have, for example, the following functions: use the wireless circuitry (i.e., the at least one transceiver 106) existing in the external device 102 to receive the voltage measurements (e.g., the 1stDMV signal 140, the 2ndDMV signal 142, through the NthDMV signal 144) and other communication signals from the plurality of VMEs 104 and the chargingAttorney Ref. No. MM001station 600; allow the user to control the behavior of the individual VMEs in signal communication with the external device 102 and the charging station 600, such as starting and stopping measurements; calculate the EKG traces from the received voltages in real-time, using the a time alignment algorithm; display the calculated EKG traces to the user in real-time via the I / O device 114 and optional display 120; determine if the EKG traces are consistent with a healthy or an abnormal electrical sinus rhythm and display this analysis to the user; determine if the EKG traces calculated in real-time are indicative of a health or an abnormal electrical sinus rhythm in the near future and display this analysis to the user.

[0079] As an example, if the external device 102 determines that the patient is having a health issue, the external device 102 software 116 may determine that the person (i.e., the patient) wearing the EKG system has a real-time electrical sinus rhythm with indications of a subtle ‘ST elevation’; since ST elevations are indicative of acute ST elevation myocardial infarctions, the software 116 on the external device 102 may further analyze the EKG trace to predict if the subtle ST elevation is going to become a more prominent ST elevation, which is consistent with a higher risk of the acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.

[0080] The software 116 on the external device 102 may then interface with the user / patient as a user-friendly application 150, such as a mobile application on a smartphone. Other pertinent features of the application 150 may include: push notifications to notify the user of the findings of the EKG traces and other topics; the ability to share the real-time EKG traces with another person (i.e., a health provider at the remote entity 108) so that they can monitor in real-time as well; the ability to share segments of EKG traces with another person, such as a doctor at the remote entity 108; and the ability to notify emergency medical services (at the remote entity 108) via 911 (or equivalent emergency telephone number in the country that the user is currently in) both manually and automatically if a dangerous EKG trace is detected.

[0081] Based on this disclosure and as a general example of operation of the CWVMS 100 as an EKG, at least two probes (e.g., including probe 202) are attached to the surface of the chest of a patient (e.g., the surface 130 of the sample 132). The at least two probes may be attached to the surface 130, for example, by adhering each probe to the chest and / or limb of the patient with an adhesive backing. An example of the probe 202 may be an adhesive electrode such as, for example, a Red Dot™ (produced by the 3M Company of Saint Paul, MN) or other similar type of device. In this example, each probe is an electrical probe that is configured to sense the voltage from the skin on the chest and / or limb of the patient and each VME is a device configured to physically and removably attach to the a probe and beAttorney Ref. No. MM001electrically coupled to the probe so as to detect and / or receive the sensed voltage from the skin of the chest and / or limb of the patient. As an example, the VME may be physically connected and removed via a detachable mechanism such as, for example, a screw-top mechanism, snap mechanism, etc. The VME may also be connected to a second probe (not shown) which may be a second electrical connection (i.e., a ground probe) that electrically connects an electrical ground of the VME to the skin of the patient to allow for the sensing of the voltage from the skin as a voltage potential that is an electrical measurement of the voltage potential between the probe and the ground probe. In general, the ground probes may be physically separated (by a small distance) from the probe (i.e., the voltage detecting probe) to isolate it from the electrical sensing of the probe.

[0082] In this example each probe may be intended to be single use and disposable after the adhesive degrades (such as after a few days of adherence to the skin). Additionally, the adhesive and connection between the VME and corresponding probe may be watertight such that the patient can leave the system on while showering without damaging the VME electronics or interfering with the electrical signal through the skin / adhesive interface.

[0083] In these examples, the charging station 600 may be utilized to establish an initial time for the VMEs. As an example, when charging and before use, each VME may receive a time value of “zero” via a start signal from the charging station 600 at the same time to begin, or synchronize, the clock on each VME. This step calibrates each VME to have the same timestamp recorded for future voltage measurements that are taken at the same time. In this example, each VME and the charging station 600 are electrically connected to same ground during this process to avoid for a floating signal. In this example, the start signal. The start signal may be activated by a hardwired button on the charging station 600 or a software command from the external device 102 when the user / patient is configuring the CWVMS 100 at the beginning of use.

[0084] In these examples, each VME may be individually paired via, for example, Bluetooth® to the external device 102 and optionally the charging station 600.

[0085] The individual VMEs, of the plurality of VMEs 104, may be predefined to a specific location on the body of the patient where the application 150 of the external device 102 recognizes and then uses their locations to correctly calculate each EKG Lead from their transmitted voltages. For example, in the Lead 1 EKG configuration with 2 VMEs, a first VME may be predefined as Right Arm and the other VME may be predefined as Left Arm. As an example of implementation, the application 150 of the external device 102 may recognizes theAttorney Ref. No. MM001predefined locations through hardcoded variable definitions in the application 150 that correspond with, for example, the Bluetooth ID of each VME. As another example, each VME may include software 218 that is programmed with a location identification (ID), which is transmitted wirelessly in each data packet from the VME to the external device 102. The data packet, for example, may included a Bluetooth® ID, location ID, voltage, and timestamp. In this example, for the convenience of the patient when attaching the VME to their chest and limbs, the individual VMEs may have their location IDs labelled on the VME.

[0086] In an example of operation, the timestamp may be recorded when the at least one VME processor 212 instructs the ADC 302, of the VAE 206, to convert a voltage data point from the voltage signal 228 / intermediate analog signal 304 to the IDS 230. The IDS 230 and timestamp may be saved in an array within the at least one memory 214 that includes the timestamp and voltage information. This array of data may be continuously transmitted (via the DMVS 232) to the external device 102. As an example, these transmissions may be transmitted with a small time delay between transmission to avoid potential signal saturation between the VMEs and the external device 102. Furthermore, this process may optionally also include denoising of the DMVS 232 to reduce the denoising computation load on the external device 102 as well as to increase the accuracy of minutia of the DMVS 232. This denoising may be accomplished by other devices 122 such as banks of filters.

[0087] Once received by the external device 102, applications 150 may be configured to do timestamp alignment on the received DMV signals from the different VMEs. As an example, the alignment my be done by a method that include utilizing the timestamp of a first VME as an initial reference (i.e., Tan= x), where “x” is equal to the timestamp value and “n” is equal to an index of a timestamp array corresponding to plurality of VMEs. The alignment method queries through the timestamp array to find the index (i.e., the “n”) for with the time of, for example, a second VME is equal to “x” (i.e., Tbn = x).

[0088] As an example of operation, a first VME (referred to herein as VMEA for this example) may have a timestamp / voltage array of, for example, [(0, 300), (1, 400), (3, 500)] and the second VME (referred to herein as VMEB for this example) may have a timestamp / voltage array of, for example, [(0, 100), (2, 150), (3, 275)]. The process may begin by setting Tao = 0 using the value (0, 300) from VMEA and then VMEB array may be queried for “n” where Tbn = 0. In this example, the method would find that Tbo = 0 from the array values of (0, 100) from VMEB. An EKG voltage index of 0 (i.e., EKGo) may then be calculated as equal to 300 minus 100 that results in EKGo = 200. The next step may include adding theAttorney Ref. No. MM001value of 1 to “n” and repeat the process. Tai would then be equal to 1 using (1, 400). The VMEB may be queried for “n” where TBn= 1 may find no results. If no results are found, the method may then add the value of 1 to index “n” and the process repeats. The method may set Ta2 = 3 based on (3, 500). The method would query VMEB and may find that n = 2 satisfies Tbn = 3 from (3, 275). In this example, the EKGi = 225 (i.e., EKG voltage index of 1) based on 500 minus 275.

[0089] The method may then perform a denoising procedure plus right leg drive. In this example, the method may utilize Fourier transforms to denoise the specific frequencies causing the noise. Other techniques may also be utilized to adjust the baseline wander of the signals and the voltage signals may be normalized / scaled based on the design.

[0090] The method may also utilize the right leg drive procedure, where a common mode voltage is determined between two plus calculated EKG traces. This common mode voltage would derive from noise that exists in each DMV, for example from environmental power supply noise of an example of 50Hz or 60Hz, from patient musculature or lung movement, or other sources of noise affecting the voltages measured by each VME. In this example, common mode voltage signal may be inverted and transmitted back to VME that is a Right Leg Drive sensor specialized for this function. The inverted signal is then converted from a digital inverted signal to an analog signal and the analog signal is applied to the body of the patient. In this example, the applied analog signal may reduce the constant noise frequencies from the environment and / or the body of the patient. The resulting EKG trace may be, for example, the EKG trace 800 that is shown in FIG. 8 or another similar EKG trace that may show different properties.Implementation examples

[0091] Implementation examples are provided in the following numbered clauses.

[0092] Clause 1. A continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS), the CWVMS comprising: an external device having at least a first transceiver; and a plurality of voltage measuring elements, wherein each voltage measuring element (VME) of the plurality of voltage measuring elements includes a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample and convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device, and is configured to produce a timestamp on the digital measured voltage signal.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0093] Clause 2. The CWVMS of clause 1, wherein the VAE includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert the measured voltage signal into the digital measured voltage signal.

[0094] Clause 3. The CWVMS of clause 1 or 2, wherein each VME further includes a clock and is configured produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

[0095] Clause 4. The CWVMS of clause 1, 2, or 3, wherein each VME further includes a power supply.

[0096] Clause 5. The CWVMS of clause 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein each VME further includes at least one processor configured to produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

[0097] Clause 6. The CWVMS of clause 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the timestamp is produced by a timing signal received from the external device.

[0098] Clause 7. The CWVMS of clause 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the timestamp is produced by another external device that is a charging station for at least one VME.

[0099] Clause 8. The CWVMS of clause 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein each VME further includes a mechanically removeable attaching mechanism configured to mechanically attach and electrically couple the VME to the probe.

[0100] Clause 9. The CWVMS of clause 1, wherein the external device further includes at least one memory, an input and output (I / O) device, at least one processor in signal communication with the at least one memory, the I / O device, and the at least first transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, from a first VME of the plurality of voltage measuring elements, a first digital measured voltage signal having a first timestamp; receive, from a second VME, a second digital measured voltage signal having a second timestamp; align the first digital measured voltage signal and the second digital measured voltage utilizing the first timestamp and second timestamp; and determine a voltage difference between the first digital measured voltage signal and the second digital measured voltage, wherein the voltage difference represents an electrical potential difference value between the first VME and the second VME.

[0101] Clause 10. The CWVMS of clause 9, wherein each VME further includes a clock and is configured produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

[0102] Clause 11. The CWVMS of clause 9 or 10, wherein the timestamp is produced by a timing signal received from the external device.

[0103] Clause 12. The CWVMS of clause 9 or 10, wherein the timestamp is produced by another external device that is a charging station for at least one VME.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0104] Clause 13. The CWVMS of clause 9 or 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to produce a voltage trace of the voltage difference corresponding to the first VME.

[0105] Clause 14. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, or 13, wherein the sample is a patient having a biological body and the voltage trace is an electrocardiogram (EKG) trace or an electroencephalogram (EEG) trace.

[0106] Clause 15. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, or 14, wherein the biological body has a heart and the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the EKG trace represents a healthy or an abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm for the patient in real-time.

[0107] Clause 16. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, 14, or 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify the patient of a medical emergency in real-time in response to the abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm.

[0108] Clause 17. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify a remote entity, via the at least first transceiver, that the patient has the medical emergency.

[0109] Clause 18. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the external device further includes a display configured to notify the patient of the medical emergency.

[0110] Clause 19. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, 14, or 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine from the EKG trace whether the patient will have a healthy or an abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm at a future time.

[0111] Clause 20. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, or 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify the patient of a potential medical emergency in the future time in response to the abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm.

[0112] Clause 21. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19, or 20, wherein the external device further includes a display configured to notify the patient of the potential medical emergency.

[0113] Clause 22. The CWVMS of clause 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19, or 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify a remote entity, via the at least first transceiver, that the patient is going to have the medical emergency.

[0114] Clause 23. The CWVMS of clause 1, wherein the external device further includes at least one memory, an input and output (I / O) device, at least one processor in signal communication with the at least one memory, the I / O device, and the first transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive a plurality of digital measured voltage signals fromAttorney Ref. No. MM001the plurality of voltage measuring elements, wherein each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp; align the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding timestamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and determine a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.

[0115] Clause 24. The CWVMS of clause 23, wherein each VME further includes a clock and is configured produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

[0116] Clause 25. The CWVMS of clause 23 or 24, wherein the timestamp is produced by a timing signal received from the external device.

[0117] Clause 26. The CWVMS of clause 23 or 24, wherein the timestamp is produced by another external device that is a charging station for at least one VME.

[0118] Clause 27. The CWVMS of clause 23, wherein the timestamp is produced by another external device that is a charging station for at least one VME.

[0119] Clause 28. The CWVMS of clause 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to produce a plurality of voltage traces of the corresponding voltage differences corresponding to the plurality of voltage measuring elements.

[0120] Clause 29. The CWVMS of clause 28, wherein the sample is a patient having a biological body and the plurality of voltage traces are electrocardiogram (EKG) traces corresponding to heart beats of a heart of the biological body.

[0121] Clause 30. The CWVMS of clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the EKG traces represent a healthy or an abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm for the patient in real-time.

[0122] Clause 31. The CWVMS of clause 30, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify the patient of a medical emergency in real-time in response to the abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm.

[0123] Clause 32. The CWVMS of clause 31, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify a remote entity, via the at least first transceiver, that the patient has the medical emergency.

[0124] Clause 33. The CWVMS of clause 31, wherein the external device further includes a display configured to notify the patient of the medical emergency.

[0125] Clause 34. The CWVMS of clause 30, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine from the EKG trace whether the patient will have a healthy or an abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm at a future time.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0126] Clause 35. The CWVMS of clause 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify the patient of a potential medical emergency in the future time in response to the abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm.

[0127] Clause 36. The CWVMS of clause 35, wherein the external device further includes a display configured to notify the patient of the potential medical emergency.

[0128] Clause 37. The CWVMS of clause 36, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify a remote entity, via the at least first transceiver, that the patient is going to have the medical emergency.

[0129] Clause 38. A voltage measuring element (VME), the VME comprising: a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, and time-stamp the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and a voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device.

[0130] Clause 39. The VME of clause 38, wherein the VAE includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert the measured voltage signal into the digital measured voltage signal.

[0131] Clause 40. The VME of clause 39, wherein the timestamp is produced by a timing signal received from the external device.

[0132] Clause 41. The VME of clause 39, wherein the timestamp is produced by another external device that is a charging station for at least one VME.

[0133] Clause 42. The VME of clause 39, wherein the timestamp is produced by an initial time provided by the external device.

[0134] Clause 43. The VME of clause 39, wherein the timestamp is produced by an initial time provided by another external device that is a charging station for at least one VME.

[0135] Clause 44. The VME of clause 39, wherein each VME further includes a clock and is configured produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

[0136] Clause 45. The VME of clause 44, wherein each VME further includes at least one processor configured to produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

[0137] Clause 46. The VME of clause 44, wherein each VME further includes at least one processor configured to produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0138] Clause 47. The VME of clause 39, wherein each VME further includes a power supply.

[0139] Clause 48. The VME of clause 38, wherein the VME further includes a mechanically removeable attaching mechanism configured to mechanically attach and electrically couple the VME to the probe.

[0140] Clause 49. The VME of clause 48, wherein the VME and probe are hermetically sealed.

[0141] Clause 50. A voltage measuring element (VME), the VME comprising: at least one transceiver; at least one memory; a voltage analysis element (VAE); and at least one processor in signal communication with the at least one memory, the VAE, and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, with the VAE, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, time-stamp the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs, and transmit, with the at least one transceiver, the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0142] Clause 51. A voltage measuring element (VME), the VME comprising: means for receiving a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; means for converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; means for time-stamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and means for transmitting the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0143] Clause 52. A method for measuring, with a voltage measuring element (VME), a voltage at a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, the method comprising: receiving, with a voltage analysis element (VAE), a measured analog voltage signal from the probe; converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; timestamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and transmitting, with at least one transceiver, the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0144] Clause 53. A continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS), the CWVMS comprising: an external device having at least a first transceiver; a plurality of voltage measuring elements (VMEs); means for receiving, with a voltage analysis element (VAE) of a voltage measuring element (VME), of a plurality of VMEs, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; means for converting the measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; means for time-stamping the first digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the first digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs of the plurality of VMEs; means for transmitting the first digital measured voltage signal to the first transceiver of the external device; means for receiving a plurality of digital measured voltage signals from the plurality of VMEs, wherein the plurality of digital measured voltage signals includes the first digital measured voltage signal and each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp; means for aligning the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding timestamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and means for determining a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.

[0145] Clause 54. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a voltage measuring element (VME) to process a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, comprising: code for receiving, with a voltage analysis element (VAE), the measured analog voltage signal from the probe; code for converting the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal; code for time-stamping the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; and code for transmitting the digital measured voltage signal to an external device.

[0146] Clause 55. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS) to process a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured, wherein the CWVMS includes an external device having at least a first transceiver and a plurality of voltage measuring elements (VMEs), the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising: code for receiving, with a voltage analysis element (VAE) of a voltage measuring element (VME), of aAttorney Ref. No. MM001plurality of VMEs, a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured; code for converting the measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; code for time-stamping the first digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the first digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs of the plurality of VMEs; code for transmitting the first digital measured voltage signal to the first transceiver of the external device; code for receiving a plurality of digital measured voltage signals from the plurality of VMEs, wherein the plurality of digital measured voltage signals includes the first digital measured voltage signal and each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp; code for aligning the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding timestamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and code for determining a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.

[0147] Clause 56. A method for generating an electrocardiogram (EKG) trace with a continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS) wherein the CWVMS has an external device and a plurality of voltage measuring elements, the method comprising: receiving, with a first voltage analysis element (VAE), a first measured analog voltage signal from a first probe attached to a skin of a patient, wherein the first VAE is part of a first voltage measuring element (VME) of the plurality of voltage measuring elements; receiving, with a second VAE, a second measured analog voltage signal from a second probe attached to the skin of the patient, wherein the second VAE is part of a second VME of the plurality of voltage measuring elements; converting the first measured voltage signal to a first digital measured voltage signal; converting the second measured voltage signal to a second digital measured voltage signal; time-stamping the first digital measured voltage signal with a first timestamp and the second digital measured voltage signal with a second timestamp, wherein the first timestamp and second timestamp are configured to allow the first digital measured voltage signal and second digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; transmitting the first digital measured voltage signal to the external device from the first VME and the second digital measured voltage signal to the external device from the second VME; aligning the first digital measured voltage signal and the second digital measured voltage utilizing the first timestamp and second timestamp; determining a voltage difference between the first digital measured voltage signal and the second digital measured voltage, wherein the voltage difference represents an electricalAttorney Ref. No. MM001potential difference value between the first VME and the second VME; and generating the EKG trace from the voltage difference.

[0148] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or a combination of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0149] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, reference to a device in the singular (e.g., “a device,” “the device”), including in the claims, includes at least one, i.e., one or more, of such devices (e.g., “a processor” includes at least one processor (e.g., one processor, two processors, etc.), “the processor” includes at least one processor, “a memory” includes at least one memory, “the memory” includes at least one memory, etc.). The phrases “at least one” and “one or more” are used interchangeably and such that “at least one” referred-to object and “one or more” referred-to objects include implementations that have one referred-to object and implementations that have multiple referred-to objects. For example, “at least one processor” and “one or more processors” each includes implementations that have one processor and implementations that have multiple processors.

[0150] The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including,” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0151] Also, as used herein, “or” as used in a list of items (possibly prefaced by “at least one of’ or prefaced by “one or more of’) indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C,” or a list of “one or more of A, B, or C” or a list of “A or B or C” means A, or B, or C, or AB (A and B), or AC (A and C), or BC (B and C), or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or combinations with more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Thus, a recitation that an item, e.g., a processor, is configured to perform a function regarding at least one of A or B, or a recitation that an item is configured to perform a function A or a function B, means that the item may be configured to perform the function regarding A, or may be configured to perform the function regarding B, or may be configured to perform the function regarding A and B. For example, a phrase of “a processor configured to measure at least oneAttorney Ref. No. MM001of A or B” or “a processor configured to measure A or measure B” means that the processor may be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or may be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or may be configured to measure A and measure B (and may be configured to select which, or both, of A and B to measure). Similarly, a recitation of a means for measuring at least one of A or B includes means for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B), or means for measuring B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or means for measuring A and B (which may be able to select which, or both, of A and B to measure). As another example, a recitation that an item, e.g., a processor, is configured to at least one of perform function X or perform function Y means that the item may be configured to perform the function X, or may be configured to perform the function Y, or may be configured to perform the function X and to perform the function Y. For example, a phrase of “a processor configured to at least one of measure X or measure Y” means that the processor may be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or may be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or may be configured to measure X and to measure Y (and may be configured to select which, or both, of X and Y to measure).

[0152] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a statement that a function or operation is “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the stated item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions in addition to the stated item or condition.

[0153] Substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used, and / or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.) executed by a processor, or both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as network input / output devices may be employed. Components, functional or otherwise, shown in the figures and / or discussed herein as being connected or communicating with each other are communicatively coupled unless otherwise noted. That is, they may be directly or indirectly connected to enable communication between them.

[0154] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in aAttorney Ref. No. MM001similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

[0155] A wireless communication system is one in which communications are conveyed wirelessly, i.e., by electromagnetic and / or acoustic waves propagating through atmospheric space rather than through a wire or other physical connection, between wireless communication devices. A wireless communication system (also called a wireless communications system, a wireless communication network, or a wireless communications network) may not have all communications transmitted wirelessly, but is configured to have at least some communications transmitted wirelessly. Further, the term “wireless communication device,” or similar term, does not require that the functionality of the device is exclusively, or even primarily, for communication, or that communication using the wireless communication device is exclusively, or even primarily, wireless, or that the device be a mobile device, but indicates that the device includes wireless communication capability (one-way or two-way), e.g., includes at least one radio (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver) for wireless communication.

[0156] Specific details are given in the description herein to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations (including implementations). However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the configurations. The description herein provides example configurations, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations provides a description for implementing described techniques. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements.

[0157] The terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media might be involved in providing instructions / code to processor(s) for execution and / or might be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, a processor-readable medium is a physical and / or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, without limitation, dynamic memory.Attorney Ref. No. MM001

[0158] Having described several example configurations, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the disclosure. Also, a number of operations may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description does not bound the scope of the claims.

[0159] Unless otherwise indicated, “about” and / or “approximately” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as appropriate in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein. Unless otherwise indicated, “substantially” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, a physical attribute (such as frequency), and the like, also encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as appropriate in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein.

[0160] A statement that a value exceeds (or is more than or above) a first threshold value is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold value that is slightly greater than the first threshold value, e.g., the second threshold value being one value higher than the first threshold value in the resolution of a computing system. A statement that a value is less than (or is within or below) a first threshold value is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold value that is slightly lower than the first threshold value, e.g., the second threshold value being one value lower than the first threshold value in the resolution of a computing system.

Claims

Attorney Ref. No. MM001CLAIMS:What is claimed.

1. A continuous wireless voltage measurement system (CWVMS), the CWVMS comprising:an external device having at least a first transceiver; anda plurality of voltage measuring elements, whereineach voltage measuring element (VME) of the plurality of voltage measuring elements includesa voltage analysis element (VAE) configured to receive a measured voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample and convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, anda voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device and transmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device, andis configured to produce a timestamp on the digital measured voltage signal.

2. The CWVMS of claim 1, wherein the VAE includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert the measured voltage signal into the digital measured voltage signal.

3. The CWVMS of claim 2, wherein each VME further includesa clock andis configured to produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

4. The CWVMS of claim 3, wherein each VME further includes a power supply.

5. The CWVMS of claim 3, wherein each VME further includes at least one processor configured to produce the timestamp utilizing the clock.

6. The CWVMS of claim 1, wherein the timestamp is produced bya timing signal received from the external device oranother external device that is a charging station for at least one VME,Attorney Ref. No. MM001wherein the timestamp is produced by a difference in a current time from a time recorded at an onset of the timing signal.

7. The CWVMS of claim 1, wherein each VME further includes a mechanically removeable attaching mechanism configured to mechanically attach and electrically couple the VME to the probe.

8. The CWVMS of claim 1, wherein the external device further includes at least one memory,an input and output (VO) device,at least one processor in signal communication with the at least one memory, the I / O device, and the at least first transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:receive, from a first VME of the plurality of voltage measuring elements, a first digital measured voltage signal having a first timestamp;receive, from a second VME, a second digital measured voltage signal having a second timestamp;align the first digital measured voltage signal and the second digital measured voltage utilizing the first timestamp and second timestamp; anddetermine a voltage difference between the first digital measured voltage signal and the second digital measured voltage, wherein the voltage difference represents an electrical potential difference value between the first VME and the second VME.

9. The CWVMS of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to produce a voltage trace of the voltage difference corresponding to the first VME.

10. The CWVMS of claim 9, whereinthe sample is a patient having a biological body with a heart,the voltage trace is an electrocardiogram (EKG) trace or an electroencephalogram (EEG) trace, andthe at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the EKG trace represents a healthy or an abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm for the patient in real-time.Attorney Ref. No. MM00111. The CWVMS of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify the patient and / or a remote entity, via the at least first transceiver, of a medical emergency in real-time in response to the abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm.

12. The CWVMS of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine from the EKG trace whether the patient will have a healthy or an abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm at a future time.

13. The CWVMS of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to notify the patient and / or a remote entity, via the at least first transceiver, of a potential medical emergency in the future time in response to the abnormal cardiac electrical sinus rhythm.

14. The CWVMS of claim 1, wherein the external device further includes at least one memory,an input and output (VO) device,at least one processor in signal communication with the at least one memory, the I / O device, and the first transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:receive a plurality of digital measured voltage signals from the plurality of voltage measuring elements, wherein each digital measured voltage signal includes a corresponding timestamp;align the plurality of digital measured voltage signals utilizing the corresponding timestamps of the plurality of digital measured voltage signals; and determine a plurality of voltage differences between the plurality of digital measured voltage signals.

15. A voltage measuring element (VME), the VME comprising:a voltage analysis element (VAE) configured toreceive a measured analog voltage signal from a probe attached to a surface of a sample being measured,convert the measured voltage signal to a digital measured voltage signal, andAttorney Ref. No. MM001time-stamp the digital measured voltage signal with a timestamp, wherein the timestamp is configured to allow the digital measured voltage signal to be aligned with other digital measured voltage signals from other VMEs; anda voltage measuring element (VME) transceiver configured towirelessly communicate with an external device andtransmit the digital measured voltage signal to the external device.

16. The VME of claim 15, wherein the VAE includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert the measured voltage signal into the digital measured voltage signal.

17. The VME of claim 16, wherein the timestamp is produced bya timing signal received from the external device oranother external device that is a charging station for at least one VME.

18. The VME of claim 16, wherein each VME further includesa clock, andat least one processor configured to produce the timestamp utilizing the clock, wherein the timestamp is produced by a difference in a current time from a time recorded at an onset of the timing signal.

19. The VME of claim 16, wherein each VME further includes a power supply.

20. The VME of claim 16, wherein the VME further includes a mechanically removeable attaching mechanism configured to mechanically attach and electrically couple the VME to the probe, wherein the VME and probe are hermetically sealed.

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