US 5,313,942 A · Electrode system and method for EKG testing

Abstract

An electrode system for use in administering an EKG test, provided as a chair with a flexible strap having electrodes embedded therein. The flexible strap is attached to the chair back rest and is tightened around the chest when the patient is seated in the chair. Electrodes fitted in the lower portion of the chair and the armrest make connection, respectively, to the legs and arms, thereby completing the test set-up procedure in a short time period. The electrodes embedded in the flexible strap are adjustable horizontally, and the strap itself is adjustable vertically, so that particular locations on the chest are reachable, making the strap suitable for all size patients. The chair is designed to become a bed to increase patient comfort. A set of exercise accessories is removably attachable to the chair, to permit EKG measurements during physical exertion. The electrode system has many applications, in hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, intensive care units, cardiology units, health institutes, old age homes, and sports medicine clinics.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An electrode system for reducing the set-up time for electrode placement on parts of the body in medical diagnostic testing (EKG) comprising in combination:

support structure means for supporting the body;
a first plurality of electrodes supported by said support structure means, wherein said support structure means is a chair for seating the body, and said first plurality of electrodes is enclosed in a flexible strap attached at one end thereof to said chair, for placement of said flexible strap across the chest;
and
a second plurality of electrodes each fixedly mounted at a location on said chair for contacting the arms and legs,
such that when the body is supported by said chair, said first and second plurality of electrodes contact the body and enable rapid electrical connection thereto for diagnostic testing,
wherein said flexible strap comprises layers of flexible material formed with slots therein, each of said slots having a contact being movable therein in adjustable fashion, said strap being vertically adjustable, enabling said contact to be placed in an optimal location against the body.

3 more elements

A method for reducing the set-up time for placement of electrodes on parts of the body in medical diagnostic testing (EKG) comprising the steps of:

providing a support structure means for supporting the body, having a first plurality of electrodes supported by said support structure means, said first plurality of electrodes being enclosed in a flexible strap attached at one end thereof to said support structure means, for placement of said flexible strap across the chest, and a second plurality of electrodes each fixedly mounted at a location on said support structure means for contacting the arms and legs;
and
supporting the body by said support structure means, such that said first and second plurality of electrodes contact the body and enable rapid electrical connection thereto for diagnostic testing,
wherein said flexible strap comprises layers of flexible material formed with slots therein, each of said slots having a contact being movable therein in adjustable fashion, said strap being vertically adjustable, enabling said contact to be placed in an optimal location against the body.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrode system and method for EKG testing

Life of this patent

Electrode system and method for EKG testing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18