Heart data monitoring method and apparatus

For use in ambulatory apparatus providing for the extended monitoring of ECG signals and having at least one semiconductor device therein, a power supplying method comprising:

• providing integral with such an apparatus a first source of DC power having a predefined output voltage level and a predefined nominal energy capacity;
• regulating such output voltage level to produce an operating voltage level lower than such output voltage level;
• and
• supplying said operating voltage level to at least one semiconductor device of the apparatus,
• said regulating being performed in such manner that said operating voltage is substantially lower than a predefined nominal input supply voltage of such a semiconductor device, whereby the predefined nominal energy capacity of such a first source of DC power is increased to provide for extended ECG signal monitoring.

Ambulatory cardiac patient care apparatus comprising:

• a first power with source operatively connected to and normally supplying power at least a first predetermined voltage level to volatile and non-volatile circuit elements, said first predetermined voltage level being substantially lower than a predefined nominal input voltage of said volatile and non-volatile circuit elements;
• a second power source operatively connected to and supplying power, at a second predetermined voltage level which is lower than said first predetermined voltage level, to substantially fewer circuit elements including said volatile circuit elements, when said first power source fails to supply at least said first predetermined voltage level;
• a microprocessor operatively coupled to an ECG signal detector for monitoring a patient's cardiovascular performance and for generating ECG data, the microprocessor further monitoring the voltage level being supplied by said first power source;
• and
• a volatile memory device operatively connected with said microprocessor, said memory device constituting at least a part of said fewer circuit elements, for storage of said ECG data provided thereby.