Abstract:
A method and apparatus including logic circuitry and interval detectors for selectively gating and evaluating subportions in individual cycles of a variably recurrent wave such as an electrocardiac signal. In distinction to attempting to subdivide such a variably recurrent signal in accordance with a running average rate, and in distinction to utilizing a measure of a preceding cycle time duration for setting desired gating periods to be applied in the immediately succeeding cycle for gating and measurement or evaluation, the present apparatus evaluates each subportion of the variably recurrent wave as a plurality of different subportions and displays one of the evaluations only after subsequent identification of the wave has been made relative to characteristically recurring points of inflection.
Abstract:
A brain wave signal monitor with a warning device actuated by failure of the signals to be present at a preselected minimal level for a specific period of time. The warning device is actuated by a circuit that remains locked in the actuating condition until reset by an attendant. A delay circuit controls the minimum rate by preventing actuation of the warning device until a predetermined time has elapsed since the last brain wave signal. A circuit tuned to the local power line frequency receives signals from electrodes on the patient and provides a second type of warning signal if an electrode becomes dislodged. A third signal circuit is actuated if the power supply voltage drops too low. The second and third warning signals are generated by selectively pulsing a calibration signal generator. The latter also supplies signals of known amplitude to the input circuit. An electrically controlled switching circuit can switch selected electrodes or the calibration signal to the input amplifier.
Abstract:
The method of evaluating electrocardiac signals comprising: DETECTING ELECTROCARDIAC SIGNALS COMPRISING CYCLES OF SUCCESSIVE FUNCTIONAL PERIODS VARIABLE IN BOTH RECURRENCY AND WAVE FORM CHARACTERISTICS, ONE OF SAID VARIABLE PERIODS INCLUDING A QRS wave train having at least one peak; DETERMINING S-wave duration; GENERATING A TRIGGERING SIGNAL RESPONSIVE TO THE SUBSTANTIALLY UNFILTERED DETECTED ELECTROCARDIAC SIGNAL IN SUBSTANTIAL UNIFORM TIME PHASE RELATION WITH THE R wave peak and after a delay of Swave duration; GENERATING GATING PULSES IN DEPENDENCY ON THE TRIGGERING SIGNAL, EACH OF THE GATING PULSES HAVING A DURATION AND TIME PHASE RANGE FOR SELECTING A PRESCRIBED FUNCTIONAL PERIOD OF THE DETECTED SIGNAL; ELECTRICALLY MEASURING THE DETECTED ELECTROCARDIAC SIGNAL DURING EACH GATING PULSE TO EVALUATE AT LEAST ONE PREDETERMINED CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RELATED FUNCTIONAL PERIOD; AND GENERATING A DISTINCTIVE OUTPUT SIGNAL WHEN SAID MEASUREMENT DEVIATES FROM LIMITS PRESCRIBED FOR EACH FUNCTIONAL PERIOD.