Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Cardiovascular
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-08
2001-01-23
Layno, Carl H. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Cardiovascular
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178347
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for frequency analysis of atrial fibrillation, i.e. a means for determining a measure of the state of illness in connection with atrial fibrillation. The invention may be used to decide if and how the condition is to be treated.
The invention may be regarded as a further development of conventional ECG equipment. By means of the invention, the ECG signals can be processed in order to acquire information about the atrial fibrillation. This information will provide useful knowledge about the mechanism of the atrial fibrillation and the information will be used for assessing the state of illness of the patient.
STATE OF THE ART
The electrocardiogram technology (ECG) has been used for a long time to study the function of the heart. One disorder of the heart that may be determined by ECG is atrial fibrillation. To date, only superficial qualitative analyses of the atrial fibrillation have been performed, and it has not been possible to draw other clinically useful conclusions than if it is occurring or not.
With atrial fibrillation, the progression of the illness is sometimes such that it will reoccur spontaneously after a treatment. With the previously known technology it has not been possible to determine whether the treatment of the atrial fibrillation will be successful or how long time it will take before the fibrillation will reoccur spontaneously. Consequently, resources have sometimes been used unnecessarily for ineffective treatments.
The present invention eliminates, or at least reduces, this problem through the fact that the atrial fibrillation can be qualitatively analysed by studying its frequency behavior. With the aid of the invention, more accurate predictions can be made about whether a treatment of the atrial fibrillation will be successful or not.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention thus provides an apparatus for frequency analysis of atrial fibrillation. The apparatus comprises a means for registering electrical signals from the heart of a patient, a means for separating a signal originating from the atria and a means for frequency analysis of the atrial signal.
Preferably, the registration means comprises electrodes to be placed on the patient and for simultaneous registration of conventional ECG signals.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4523595 (1985-06-01), Zibell
patent: 5439004 (1995-08-01), Duong-Van et al.
patent: 5772604 (1998-06-01), Langberg et al.
patent: 5843133 (1998-12-01), Routh et al.
patent: 6035231 (2000-03-01), Sörnmo et al.
patent: 2070871 (1981-09-01), None
Ladas and Parry
Layno Carl H.
LandOfFree
Apparatus for frequency analysis of atrial fibrillation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for frequency analysis of atrial fibrillation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for frequency analysis of atrial fibrillation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2510392