Surgery – Diagnostic testing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-07-31
Evanisko, George R. (Department: 3762)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
C128S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267723
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a medical telemetry system in which an electrode is attached to a patient to monitor the condition of the patient.
2. Related Art
The condition of a patient is monitored in a route from an emergency rescue scene to an emergency rescue facility or the like to which the patient is to be transported. In such a case, conventionally, a sensor and an input cord must be replaced with other ones each time when a different medical apparatus is used in various situations as shown in FIG.
9
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When a sensor and an input cord are replaced with other ones in various situations, however, a burden is imposed on a patient in each replacement. In an emergency rescue scene where prompt treatment is necessary, the time required for the replacement is a problem.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention has been conducted in view of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is an object of the invention to, even when an apparatus for processing a signal from a sensor is replaced with a new apparatus, enable the signal to be rapidly supplied to the new apparatus by a simple operation and without imposing a burden on a patient and medical staff.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical telemetry system comprising:
a sensor device including:
an electrode to be attached to a living body;
first detecting means for detecting electrode detachment on the basis of a signal obtained from said electrode, and for outputting an electrode detachment signal indicative of the electrode detachment;
transmitting means for transmitting the electrode detachment signal from said first detecting means and a biomedical signal from said electrode, in the form of a radio signal;
a receiver including:
receiving means for receiving the radio transmitted from said sensor device;
amplitude adjusting means for attenuating or amplifying the biomedical signal obtained from an output signal of said receiving means to adjust an amplitude of the biomedical signal;
connecting means for supplying an output signal of said amplitude adjusting means to a biomedical signal input portion of another device;
second detecting means for detecting the electrode detachment signal from the output signal of said receiving means; and means, connected between said amplitude adjusting means and said connecting means, for interrupting connection between said amplitude adjusting means and said connecting means or for increasing an impedance of the connection when said second detecting means detects the electrode detachment signal.
In the system, a biomedical signal which is transmitted in the form of a radio signal from the sensor device is received by the receiver. After being attenuated or being amplified, the signal is supplied to a biomedical singal input portion of another device which is connected to the receiver. The other device processes the signal. Since the signal is converted to the same level as a signal supplied from a biomedical electrode through a wire, the result of the process is identical with that for the signal which is directly supplied from a biomedical electrode. Even when the receiver is disconnected from the other device and then connected to a further device while the sensor device remains attached to the living body, therefore, the signal is processed by the further device in the same manner as a signal supplied from a biomedical electrode through a wire.
When the electrode of the sensor device is detached from the living body, the first detecting means detects the electrode detachment, and the transmitting means transmits the electrode detachment signal to the receiving means. The second detecting means of the receiver detects the signal. In response to the detection, the connection between the attenuating means and the connecting means is interrupted or an impedance of the connection is increased. In the other device which is connected to the receiver through the connecting means, the input potential of the biomedical signal input portion is in a floating state. As seen from the other device, this state is strictly identical with that obtained in the case where, when a signal supplied from the biomedical electrode through a wire is being processed, the biomedical electrode is detached.
Usually, a device which processes a signal supplied from a biomedical electrode through a wire has functions of detecting electrode detachment and conducting a process according to the detected detachment. The system of the invention corresponds to such a device. Although the signal transmitted from the electrode is a radio signal, when the electrode is detached from the living body, a state where electrode detachment occurs is artificially produced in the wired sensor input portion of the other device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor device for a medical telemetry system, comprising:
an electrode which is to be attached to a living body;
first detecting means for detecting electrode detachment on the basis of a signal obtained from said electrode, and for outputting an electrode detachment signal indicative of the electrode detachment; and
transmitting means for transmitting the electrode detachment signal from said first detecting means and a biomedical signal from said electrode, in the form of a radio signal.
In the thus configured sensor device, a biomedical signal is transmitted, and, when the electrode which has been attached to the living body is detached, a signal indicative of the electrode detachment is transmitted.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiver for a medical telemetry system, comprising:
receiving means for receiving a radio signal containing a biomedical signal and an electrode detachment signal indicative of electrode detachment;
amplitude adjusting means for attenuating or amplifying the biomedical signal obtained from an output signal of said receiving means to adjust an amplitude of the biomedical signal;
connecting means for supplying an output signal of said amplitude adjusting means to a biomedical signal input portion of another device;
second detecting means for detecting the electrode detachment signal from the output signal of said receiving means; and
means, connected between said amplitude adjusting means and said connecting means, for interrupting connection between said amplitude adjusting means and said connecting means, or for increasing an impedance of the connection when said second detecting means detects the electrode detachment signal.
In the thus configured receiver, a biomedical signal in the received signal is attenuated or amplified, and then supplied to the other device connected to the receiver. The signal has the same level as a signal supplied from a biomedical electrode through a wire. In the receiver, when the electrode detachment signal is detected, the connection between the amplitude adjusting means and the connecting means is interrupted in response to the detection. Therefore, in the other device which is connected to the receiver, the input potential of the biomedical signal input portion is in a floating state.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4121573 (1978-10-01), Corovella et al.
patent: 4319241 (1982-03-01), Mount
patent: 4625733 (1986-12-01), Saynajakangas
patent: 5131399 (1992-07-01), Sciarra
Hosaka Hidehiro
Matsumura Fumiyuki
Ono Kohei
Sakata Hiroshi
Sekiguchi Tetsushi
Evanisko George R.
Nihon Kohden Corporation
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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