Method and apparatus for recording and analyzing body surface electrocardiographic peak maps

A body surface electrocardiographic mapping method comprising:

• continually detecting electrocardiographic signals at n selected points on the surface 8 a person's chest to provide signals in n channels, n being a positive integer, each channel containing signals detected at a selected point on the person's chest;
• and
• identifying and mapping the maxima and minima of the signals with respect to a predetermined reference point in time, processing said maxima and minima, and correlating said maxima or minima of the signals detected at said n selected points.

A body surface electrocardiographic mapping apparatus comprising:

• means adapted for continually detecting electrocardiographic signals at n selected points on the surface of a person's chest to provide signals in n channels, n being a positive integer, each channel containing signals detected at a selected point on the person's chest;
• and
• means for processing the signals into isochronous maps and isopotential maps of the n points, wherein the two types of maps are superposed upon one another with respect to the n selected points to facilitate diagnosis.

A waistcoat suitable for use in electrocardiographic mapping comprising:

• an elastic coat;
• and
• a set of electrodes supported by the coat, said electrodes comprising electrically conductive cloth adapted to contact selected areas of a person's trunk, said cloth comprising a fabric plated with an electrically conducting material, said fabric being soft and adapted to conform to the shape of a person's trunk to increase the areas of contact with the person's trunk, said electrodes having portions that are removable for sterilization and recycling.