US20050119582A1 - Biological signal detection apparatus holter electrocardiograph and communication system of biological signals - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrode4for detecting a biological signal and a loop antenna3are integrally mounted on a support2placed on the surface of a living body and a transmitter5is placed on the support2. A biological signal detected on the electrode4is input through a connector11to electric circuitry10of the transmitter5and an electric signal processed by the electric circuitry10is output through connectors12and13to both ends of the loop antenna3from which the biological signal is emitted to a receiver. At this time, the opening face of the loop antenna3is in a direction almost perpendicular to the surface of a living body for improving sensitivity.

Description

• This is a Continuation-In-Part application of Ser. No. 09/220,751 filed on Dec. 28, 1998
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
• 1. Field of Invention
• This invention relates to a biological signal detection apparatus and in particular to a biological signal detection apparatus applicable to a medical telemetry system wherein a biological signal detected by an electrode attached to the living tissue surface of a patient can be appropriately processed and the provided signal can be telemetered by a transmitter and can be received at a remotely located monitor for monitoring the disease condition of the patient, and a Holter electrocardiograph incorporating the biological signal detection apparatus.
• Further, this invention relates to a communication system of detection data, etc., provided by detecting biological signals and in particular to a communication system for transmitting and receiving biological signals detected by a Holter electrocardiograph.
• 2. Related Art
• To care for a seriously ill patient directly linked to his or her life as in an ICU (intensive care unit) or a CCU (coronary care unit), biological information needs to be continuously monitored to precisely keep track of the conditions of the patient. Thus, it is important to provide information necessary for treatment conducted at the bedside of the patient using a bedside monitor placed at the bedside of the patient. It is also important to find out an anomaly of the patient promptly and issue an alarm and send data provided from the biological information of the patient to a central monitor placed in a nurse station, a doctor room, etc.
• From the viewpoint, hitherto, to collect necessary data and display the data on monitors placed on the periphery to provide biological information of a patient in moving the patient in emergency, at the bedside of the patient in a hospital, etc., a medical telemetry system of transmitting and receiving wireless signals has been used simply and efficiently to input signals detected by a biological signal detection apparatus made up of various sensor electrodes, etc., attached to the living tissue surfaces of the patient.
• Hitherto, as a biological signal measuring apparatus of converting a biological signal of a patient, etc., into telemetry (cordless) and measuring, a biological signal measuring apparatus has been proposed (Japanese Utility Model Registration No.2558836), the biological signal measuring apparatus comprising a sensor section made up of three electrode parts for detecting a biological signal, a transmission section for transmitting the biological signal detected by each electrode part of the sensor section to an external reception section, and a power supply section for supplying power to the transmission section, wherein the transmission section has the power supply section integrally and can be directly attached and detached by being fitted to any one of the three electrode parts, wherein three contacts corresponding to signal lines from the three electrode parts form contacts made flush with each other, wherein the biological signals detected by the three electrode parts are input to the transmission section, and wherein the electrode parts are made disposable and the transmission section can be recycled.
• That is, in the biological signal measuring apparatus according to the proposition, the transmission section containing the power supply section is made integral with any one of the three electrode parts and the biological signals detected by the electrode parts are input to the transmission section, whereby the constraint feeling of the patient is improved remarkably and no signal cable exists between the transmission section and the sensor section, thus extra connection points are excluded and therefore stable measuring can be conducted over a long time and the reliability is enhanced.
• A Holter electrocardiograph apparatus that can improve the convenience of a communication interface with a computer for analyzing, storing, and arranging data by providing an already existing portable Holter electrocardiograph apparatus with an infrared communication apparatus for inputting electrocardiogram data to a computer in noncontact for storing and analyzing the data simply or by transmitting electrocardiogram data sampled from a patient and compressed to a remotely located computer for storing and analyzing the data using a public telemetry network applied to portable telephones, portable information terminals, etc., has been proposed (JP-A-9-224917).
• That is, this Holter electrocardiograph apparatus according to the proposition is characterized by the fact that an already existing portable Holter electrocardiograph apparatus comprises an infrared communication apparatus as means for inputting highly compressed data stored in memory to an external machine, and the infrared communication apparatus comprises means for communicating according to a predetermined procedure for a computer and inputting monitored electrocardiogram data to the computer in noncontact at high speed. Further, the Holter electrocardiograph apparatus can be configured to use a public telemetry network applied to portable telephones and portable information terminals to transmit highly compressed electrocardiogram data to a remotely located computer for storing and analyzing the data.
• A portable electrocardiogram monitor for monitoring a plurality of electrocardiogram signals led by the electrode attached to the chest of a patient by a monitor circuit carried by the patient and telemetering arrhythmia information detected in the electrocardiogram signals to an emergency medical institution for receiving rescue of diagnosis, instruction for the patient, first aid to be given to the patient, etc., by the expert (JP-A-10-234688).
• That is, the portable electrocardiogram monitor according to the proposition comprises chest side circuitry attached to the chest of a patient and waist side circuitry attached to the waist of the patient. The chest side circuitry has addition means for adding electrocardiogram signals of a plurality of channels and intra-monitor transmission means for telemetering the added electrocardiogram signal provided by the addition means from the chest to the waist and the waist side circuitry has reception means for receiving the transmission signal of the intra-monitor transmission means, arrhythmia detection means for detecting severe arrhythmia that is unignorable in the added electrocardiogram signal received by the reception means, and external transmission means for telemetering information indicating occurrence of arrhythmia together with the identification signal of the patient to an emergency medical institution.
• However, in the biological signal measuring apparatus according to the proposition, if the transmission section having the three electrode parts inputs the biological signal detected by each electrode part and transmits the signal to the outside and is applied as a Holter electrocardiograph, the method of the electrode positioning for providing electrocardiogram data, namely, the position leading electrode-to-electrode potential does not match the position of the electrode that can be led properly and efficiently as a Holter electrocardiograph, thus simple and prompt electrocardiogram data cannot be provided.
• In the Holter electrocardiograph apparatus according to the proposition, an already existing portable Holter electrocardiograph apparatus is provided with an infrared communication apparatus, whereby electrocardiogram data is transmitted to a personal computer or a remotely located computer in non-contact for smoothly storing and analyzing the data and the existing portable Holter electrocardiograph apparatus itself is not improved or modified. Thus, for example, improvement or prevention means for occurrence of inconvenience or discomfort when the electrodes are attached to the patient or occurrence of a malfunction caused by detachment of the electrode is not considered at all. Further, the Holter electrocardiograph apparatus assumes only that the patient sends electrocardiogram data to a medical institution, and the patient must perform the operation of transmitting electrocardiogram data consciously; the operation is burdensome for the patient.
• In the portable electrocardiogram monitor according to the proposition, the arrhythmia detection means is attached to the patient, severe arrhythmia that is unignorable is determined by hardware or software analysis means, and electrocardiogram information at the time is sent. Thus, the information is insufficient for the doctor to finally diagnose the conditions of the patient. If determination of the arrhythmia detection means attached to the patient is only made, when erroneous detection occurs, it is feared that a serial problem that may be developed to a lawsuit against the doctor (for example, electrocardiogram information is not transmitted although the patient is in an actually critical condition) may occur.
• Further, in the apparatus according to the propositions, the fact that it is made possible to telemeter biological signals of a patient to a remotely located monitor is disclosed or suggested, but the configuration of a medical telemetry system for making it possible to smoothly and simply exchange information between the patient and the monitor is not specifically proposed at all.
• As a result of repeating research and trials assiduously, the inventor et al have found out that a communication system of detection data, etc., provided by detecting a biological signal, which can construct a medical telemetry system that can prevent detachment of an electrode from causing a malfunction to occur and can smoothly and simply exchange information between a patient and a monitor can be provided, the communication system adopting the configuration comprising a Holter electrocardiograph comprising a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a biological signal, supports being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the electrodes, and a transmitter for processing the signal detected by the electrode and telemetering the detected signal, a receiver for receiving the signal telemetered from the transmitter of the biological signal detection apparatus and demodulating the received signal, the receiver comprising a terminal for outputting the demodulated signal to a biological signal input section of required record means, and a recorder comprising record means for recording the demodulated signal output from the terminal of the receiver, wherein the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph comprises transmitting and receiving means for telemetering the signal stored in the record means, receiving an external transmission signal, and telemetering some or all of the signals stored in the record means as instructed by the external transmission signal, and a biological signal input apparatus comprising transmitting and receiving means for inputting signals and transmitting and receiving communication information to and from the transmitting and receiving means of the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph through a relay transmitter-receiver and a wide area network is provided.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
• It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a biological signal detection apparatus that can construct a medical telemetry system that can eliminate inconvenience or discomfort when the electrodes are attached to a patient and can prevent detachment of an electrode from causing a malfunction to occur and smoothly and simply exchange information between a patient and a monitor.
• It is another object of the invention to provide an easy-to-handle Holter electrocardiograph which enables the user to properly and promptly monitor electrocardiogram data of a patient by applying such a biological signal detection apparatus.
• It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a communication system of biological signals that can construct a medical telemetry system that can prevent detachment of an electrode from causing a malfunction to occur and can smoothly and simply exchange information between a patient and a monitor.
• To the end, according to the invention, there is provided a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a first electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a first support being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the first electrode group, a second electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a second support being attached to the living tissue surface for supporting the second electrode group, and a transmitter comprising an electric circuit for processing the signals detected by the first and second electrode groups and telemetering the detected signals, characterized in that the transmitter comprises a first connection section for electrically connecting the first electrode group to the transmitter and fixing the transmitter directly onto the first support and a second connection section for electrically connecting signal lines from the second electrode group to the transmitter.
• In this case, a biological signal potential difference between at least one electrode in the first electrode group and at least one electrode in the second electrode group can be measured (CM5 lead and/or NASA lead).
• A potential difference between at least one pair of electrodes in the second electrode group can be measured (CC5 lead).
• In the biological signal detection apparatus, the electric circuit for telemetering the detected signals comprises:
• • a connection section detachment detection section for determining whether or not the second electrode group is connected in the second connection section; and
  • a switch section for measuring the biological signal potential difference between at least one pair of electrodes in the first electrode group if the connection section detachment detection section determines that the second electrode group is not connected in the second connection section and measuring the biological signal potential difference between at least one electrode in the first electrode group and at least one electrode in the second electrode group is measured (CM5 lead and/or NASA lead) if the connection section detachment detection section determines that the second electrode group is connected in the second connection section.
• As an alternative, according to the invention, there is provided a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a first electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a first support being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the first electrode group, a second electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a second support being attached to the living tissue surface for supporting the second electrode group, and an electric circuit for processing the signals detected by the first and second electrode groups, wherein the electric circuit can comprise a first connection section for electrically connecting the first electrode group to the electric circuit and fixing the electric circuit directly onto the first support and a second connection section for electrically connecting signal lines from the second electrode group to the electric circuit, and wherein detachable storage means being contained in a housing for storing the signals processed by the electric circuit can be provided.
• According to the invention, there is provided a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a first electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a first support being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the first electrode group, a second electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a second support being attached to the living tissue surface for supporting the second electrode group, an electric circuit for processing the signals detected by the first and second electrode groups, storage means for storing the signals processed by the electric circuit, and a transmitter-receiver for telemetering the signals processed by the electric circuit and the signals stored in the storage means and receiving an external transmission signal, wherein the transmitter-receiver can telemeter some or all of the signals stored in the storage means or the signal processed by the electric circuit as instructed by the external transmission signal.
• A Holter electrocardiograph provided by applying a biological signal detection apparatus according to the invention comprises:
• • a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a first electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a first support being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the first electrode group, a second electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a second support being attached to the living tissue surface for supporting the second electrode group, and a transmitter comprising an electric circuit for processing the signals detected by the first and second electrode groups and telemetering the detected signals, the transmitter comprising a first connection section for electrically connecting the first electrode group to the transmitter and fixing the transmitter directly onto the first support and a second connection section for electrically connecting signal lines from the second electrode group to the transmitter;
  • a receiver for receiving the signal telemetered from the transmitter of the biological signal detection apparatus and demodulating the received signal, the receiver comprising a terminal for outputting the demodulated signal to a biological signal input section of required record mean; and
  • a recorder comprising record means for recording the demodulated signal output from the terminal of the receiver.
• To the end, according to the invention, there is provided a communication system of biological signals, comprising a Holter electrocardiograph comprising a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a biological signal, supports being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the electrodes, and a transmitter for processing the signal detected by the electrode and telemetering the detected signal, a receiver for receiving the signal telemetered from the transmitter of the biological signal detection apparatus and demodulating the received signal, the receiver comprising a terminal for outputting the demodulated signal to, a biological signal input section of required record means, and a recorder comprising record means for recording the demodulated signal output from the terminal of the receiver, characterized in that the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph comprises transmitting and receiving means for telemetering the signal stored in the record means, receiving an external transmission signal, and telemetering some or all of the signals stored in the record means as instructed by the external transmission signal, and characterized by a biological signal input apparatus comprising transmitting and receiving means for inputting signals and transmitting and receiving communication information to and from the transmitting and receiving means of the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph through a relay transmitter-receiver and a wide area network.
• As an alternative, according to the invention, there is provided a communication system of biological signals, comprising a Holter electrocardiograph comprising a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a biological signal, supports being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the electrodes, an electric circuit for processing the signal detected by the electrode, storage means for storing the signal processed by the electric circuit, and a transmitter-receiver for telemetering the signal processed by the electric circuit and the signal stored in the storage means and telemetering some or all of the signals stored in the storage means or the signal processed by the electric circuit as instructed by an external transmission signal, wherein a biological signal input apparatus comprising transmitting and receiving means for inputting signals and transmitting and receiving communication information to and from the transmitter-receiver of the Holter electrocardiograph through a relay transmitter-receiver and a wide area network is provided.
• In the communication system, the relay transmitter-receiver can transmit and receive the communication information between the transmitting and receiving means or the transmitter-receiver placed in the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph and the wide area network, and
• • the wide area network can be adapted to transmit and receive the communication information between the relay transmitter-receiver and the transmitting and receiving means of the biological signal input-apparatus.
• In the communication system, the biological signal input apparatus can comprise:
• • input data instruction means for indicating data to be input among the signals stored in the record means placed in the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph or stored in the storage means placed in the transmitter-receiver;
  • instruction information transmission means for transmitting instruction information specified by the input data instruction means to the record means placed in the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph or the storage means placed in the transmitter-receiver via the wide area network and the relay transmitter-receiver;
  • input reception means for receiving the signal transmitted based on the instruction information from the transmitting and receiving means or the transmitter-receiver placed in the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph via the relay transmitter-receiver and the wide area network; and
  • input storage means for storing the signal received by the input reception means.
• The communication system can further include:
• • non-reception signal generation means for generating a non-reception signal while a radio signal transmitted from the transmitter or the transmitter-receiver of the biological signal detection apparatus cannot be received in the Holter electrocardiograph; and
  • record means for recording the non-reception signal generated by the non-reception signal generation means.
• The communication system can further include:
• • electrode detachment signal generation means for recognizing detachment of one of the electrodes from the living tissue surface by a radio signal transmitted from the transmitter or the transmitter-receiver of the biological signal detection apparatus in the Holter electrocardiograph and generating an electrode detachment signal while the electrode is detached; and
  • record means for recording the electrode detachment signal generated by the electrode detachment signal generation means.
• Further, according to the present invention, there is provided that a biological signal detection system comprising:
• • electrodes for detecting a biological signal;
  • supports, attached to the living tissue, for supporting said electrodes;
  • a transmitter including:
    • an electric circuit for processing the signals detected by said electrodes;
    • storage means for storing the signals processed by said electric circuit; and a transmitter-receiver for telemetering the signals processed by said electric circuit and the signals stored in said storage means and receiving an external transmission signal, said transmitter-receiver telementers some or all of the signals stored in said storage means or the signal processed by said electric circuit as instructed by the external transmission signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the accompanying drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation to show one embodiment of a basic system configuration of a communication system of biological signals according to the invention;
• FIG. 2(a) is a schematic perspective view to show the separation state of main components of biological signal detection apparatus for detecting a biological signal shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 2(b) is a schematic perspective view to show a modified example of the main components of the biological signal detection apparatus shown inFIG. 2(a);
• FIG. 3(a) is a schematic block diagram to show a configuration example in the joint state of the biological signal detection apparatus shown inFIG. 2;
• FIG. 3(b) is a schematic representation to show an application example of the biological signal detection apparatus shown inFIG. 3(a) as a Holter electrocardiograph;
• FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram to show a configuration example of a receiver of a Holter electrocardiograph applied to a communication system of biological signals according to the invention;
• FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram to show a configuration example of a recorder and a transmitter-receiver of the Holter electrocardiograph applied to the communication system of biological signals according to the invention;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram to show a configuration example of a relay transmitter-receiver for relaying and transmitting/receiving detection data, etc., applied to the communication system of biological signals according to the invention;
• FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram to show a configuration example of a biological signal input apparatus for receiving and recording detection data, etc., and transmitting instruction information, applied to the communication system of biological signals according to the invention;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic representation to show one embodiment of a flow of data and information in the communication system of biological signals according to the invention;
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart to describe the operation of the communication system according to the invention shown inFIG. 8;
• FIG. 10 is a schematic representation to show another embodiment of a flow of data and information in communication system of biological signals according to the invention;
• FIG. 11(a) is a schematic block diagram to show a configuration example of a biological signal detection apparatus applied to the communication system according to the invention shown inFIG. 10;
• FIG. 11(b) is a schematic representation to show another application example of the biological signal detection apparatus according to the invention as a Holter electrocardiograph
• FIG. 12 is a flowchart to describe the basic operation of the communication system according to the invention shown inFIG. 10;
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart to describe another operation of the communication system according to the invention shown inFIG. 10;
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram to describe the operation in an electrode detachment detection state in the communication system of biological signals according to the invention; and —FIG. 15 is a block diagram to describe the operation in a connection section detachment detection state in the communication system of biological signals according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there are shown preferred embodiments of communication system of biological signals according to the invention.
• Basic system configuration for communicating detected data provided by detecting biological signal
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation to show a Holter electrocardiograph attached to the body surface of a patient PB for recording electrocardiogram data and a schematic configuration of a communication system for inputting the electrocardiogram data to a remotely located central monitor, etc. InFIG. 1, the Holter electrocardiograph comprises atransmitter10 attached to the body surface of the patient PB for detecting and telemetering a biological signal (electrocardiogram signal), areceiver14 for receiving and demodulating the signal telemetered from thetransmitter10, and arecorder16 made up of various record means for recording the signal (electrocardiogram signal) received and modulated by thereceiver14. Thereceiver14 and therecorder16 are connected by wire and are attached to parts of the body of the patient PB via abelt18, etc.
• As the communication system with the Holter electrocardiograph, therecorder16 is provided with transmitting and receiving means17 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the outside and the transmitting and receiving means17 is connected to a biological signal input apparatus implemented as a personal computer PC, etc., via relay transmitting and receiving means19 such as a portable telephone using a wide area network.
• Thetransmitter10 will be discussed also with reference toFIG. 2(a). Afirst electrode group20 for detecting a biological signal of the patient PB and afirst support22 attached to the living tissue surface of the patient for supporting thefirst electrode group20 can be joined detachably and asecond electrode group24 for detecting a biological signal of the patient PB andsecond supports26ato26eattached to the living tissue surface of the patient PB for supporting thesecond electrode group24 can be joined detachably.
• That is, as joining of thetransmitter10 and thefirst support22 and the second supports26ato26e, thefirst support22 comprises on the inner side, electrodes Ed1 (−) and Ed2 (−) for positioning at symmetrical positions on the upper end of the sternum of the patient PB as anadhesive pad23 directly attached to the living tissue surface, namely, the body surface (skin).Connection terminals21aand21belectrically connected to the electrodes Ed1 (−) and Ed2 (−) are placed on the outer side of thefirst support22 implemented as theadhesive pad23. Thetransmitter10 is provided withfirst connection sections11 that can be joined to theconnection terminals21aand21bplaced on thefirst support22, so that thetransmitter10 can be placed directly on the top face of thefirst support22 for connection thereof.
• The second supports26ato26eare implemented as adhesive pads for supporting thesecond electrode group24, namely, electrodes Ed1 (+) and Ed3 (+) at the fifth lib position on the left anterior axillary line of the patient PB, electrodes Ed2 (+) and Ed3 (−) at the fifth lib position on the right anterior axillary line of the patient PB, and an electrode EdN on the right lowest lib of the patient PB. Further, thesecond electrode group24 is connected to aconnection connector28 vialeads25a,25b,25c,25d, and25e. Thetransmitter10 is provided with asecond connection section12 that can be joined to theconnection connector28, so that thetransmitter10 can be detachably connected to thesecond electrode group24 supported by the second supports26ato26eevia theconnection connector28 and theleads25ato25e.
• The electrodes Ed1 (−) and Ed1 (+) denote CM5 lead electrodes, Ed2 (−) and Ed2 (+) denote NASA lead electrodes, Ed3 (−) and Ed3 (+) denote CC5 lead electrodes, and EdN denotes a ground electrode. The electrodes can adopt conventionally known body surface electrodes that can be attached directly to the body surface (skin) of the patient PB and are filled with paste made of electrolyte for stably maintaining the space between the skin and each electrode.
• As a modification of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2(a) as specific joining of thetransmitter10 and thefirst support22 and the second supports26ato26e, as shown inFIG. 2(b), thetransmitter10 can comprise a first connection section consisting of side clips13 symmetrically on both sides so as to join to theconnection terminals21aand21bplaced on thefirst support22. In this case, eachside clip13 can comprise a clip part13a1,13b1 at one end and a knob part13a2,13b2 at an opposite end so that theconnection terminals21aand21bplaced on thefirst support22 can be detachably joined to the clip parts13a1 and13b1 by operating the knob parts13a2 and13b2. Other components are identical with those previously described with reference toFIG. 2(a) and are denoted by the same reference numerals inFIG. 2(a) and will not be discussed again in detail.
• Next, embodiments concerning the detailed configuration of thetransmitter10 in the biological signal detection apparatus for detecting a biological signal and the communication system which records detected data (electrocardiogram data) and is communicatably connected to the biological signal input apparatus PC implemented as a personal computer, etc., remotely located using a wide area network for inputting the recorded electrocardiogram data to the biological signal input apparatus PC will be discussed.
First Embodiment
• FIG. 3(a) shows an embodiment of a transmitter of a biological signal detection apparatus for detecting a biological signal according to the invention. That is, the embodiment is applied to the Holter electrocardiograph shown inFIG. 1, and the circuit configuration of atransmitter10 of biological signal detection apparatus with areceiver14 and arecorder16 attached to the body of a patient PB for use is shown. Components identical with those previously described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2(a) and (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals inFIG. 3(a) and will not be discussed again in detail.
• (1) Configuration of Transmitter as Biological Signal Detection Apparatus
• Thetransmitter10 as the biological signal detection apparatus shown inFIG. 3(a) is connected to afirst electrode group20 viafirst connection section11 and is connected to asecond electrode group24 via asecond connection section12. Thetransmitter10 comprises CM5 lead differential amplifiers AMP1a, AMP1b, and AMP1c, NASA lead differential amplifiers AMP2a, AMP2b, and AMP2c, and CC5 lead differential amplifiers AMP3a, AMP3b, and AMP3cconnected to CM5 lead electrodes Ed1 (−) and Ed1 (+), NASA lead electrodes Ed2 (−) and Ed2 (+), and CC5 lead electrodes Ed3 (−) and Ed3 (+) set in thefirst electrode group20 and thesecond electrode group24. A ground electrode EdN is grounded. Output signals of the differential amplifiers AMP1c, AMP2c, and AMP3cat the last stages of the differential amplifiers are input to an A/D (analog-digital)conversion section32.
• On the other hand, a CM5 leadelectrode detachment detector30A, a NASA leadelectrode detachment detector30B, and a CC5 leadelectrode detachment detector30C are placed in connection circuits of the differential amplifiers, and a connection sectiondetachment detection section31 is provided for thesecond connection section12. Each of theelectrode detachment detectors30A,30B, and30C detects an electrode detachment state from the living tissue of the patient PB for each of the electrodes Ed1 (+), Ed3 (+), Ed2 (+), and Ed3 (−) in thesecond electrode group24 connected to thesecond connection section12, and outputs a detection signal.
• The detection signals thus provided by theelectrode detachment detectors30A,30B, and30C are input to a timedivision multiplexing section33 together with output of the A/D conversion section32. For a detection signal of the connection sectiondetachment detection section31, the switch connection operation (described later) is performed for a switch section SW placed between the connection circuits of the differential amplifiers AMP1band AMP1cand AMP2aand AMP2con thefirst connection section11 side, whereby the potential difference between the electrodes Ed1 (−1) and Ed2 (−) in thefirst electrode group20 is detected.Numeral38 denotes a power supply for supplying power to the sections of the electric circuit.
• Further, a real-time biological signal (electrocardiogram data) of the patient PB provided by the timedivision multiplexing section33 is modulated by amodulation section34 together with each electrode detachment detection signal and a connection section detachment signal whenever necessary, and the modulation result is telemetered through atransmission section35 from atransmission antenna36 to the outside. Theantenna36 is wired via a capacitor to at least one of terminals connected to leads of the electrodes in thesecond electrode group24, for example, the terminal connected to the lead25ain thetransmitter10, whereby the lead25a, one of the leads in thesecond electrode group24 can be used as an antenna.
• As described above, the signal telemetered from thetransmitter10 of the biological signal detection apparatus is recorded in therecord section16 through thereceiver14 attached to the body of the patient PB, as shown inFIG. 3(b). Therecord section16 is connected to a personal computer PC, whereby the electrocardiogram data recorded in therecord section16 can be input to the personal computer PC.
• (2) Configuration ofReceiver14 as Holter Electrocardiograph
• In the embodiment, thereceiver14 and therecorder16 for receiving and recording an electrocardiogram signal transmitted from thetransmitter10 are configured as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 respectively.
• First, inFIG. 4, thereceiver14 is provided with areception section50 and ademodulation section51 through areception antenna39. A radiowave cutoff detector52 for detecting a radio wave cutoff from thetransmitter10 is connected to thereception section50 and an electrode detachment detection section53 for detecting an electrode detachment state signal transmitted from thetransmitter10 is connected to thedemodulation section51. Awaveform generation section54 forms required waveforms of detection signals provided by the radiowave cutoff detector52 and the electrode detachment detection section53.
• On the other hand, the electrocardiogram signal provided by thedemodulation section51 is appropriately divided and input through D/A (digital-analog)converters55ato55ctoamplitude adjustment sections56ato56c, which then make amplitude adjustment. The electrocardiogram signal thus undergoing the amplitude adjustment is sent via aswitch57 and an imbalance-to-balance converter58 to anoutput section connector60 for connection to aninput section connector61 of therecorder16 described later so that the electrocardiogram signal and the signal whose waveform is formed accompanying the detection state in the radiowave cutoff detector52 and the electrode detachment detection section53 can be output selectively.Numeral59 denotes a power supply section for supplying power to the sections making up thereceiver14.
• (3) Configuration ofRecorder16 and Transmitter-Receiver17 as Holter Electrocardiograph
• Next, inFIG. 5, in therecorder16,differential amplification sections62ato62care connected via theinput section connector61 and differentially amplified signals are input through an A/D (analog-digital)conversion section63 to a CPU (central processing unit)64 for system control. Acall button switch65, adisplay section66, and adata storage section67 are connected to theCPU64 and a transmitting and receivingsection70 is also connected via asignal conversion section68 to theCPU64.Numeral69 denotes a power supply section for supplying power to the sections making up therecorder16.Numeral71 denotes a transmitting and receiving antenna connected to the transmitting and receivingsection70. For example, the transmitting and receivingantenna71 is placed as a part of a transmitter-receiver17 for enabling connection to a wide area network to transmit and receive data and instruction information to and from remotely located biological signal input apparatus PC directly or via a relay transmitter-receiver19 such as a portable telephone (seeFIG. 1).
• (4) Configuration of Relay Transmitter-Receiver19 in Communication System
• Then,FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the relay transmitter-receiver19 such as a portable telephone for communicating electrocardiogram data recorded in thedata storage section67 of therecorder16 to the remotely located biological signal input apparatus PC via the wide area network.
• That is, inFIG. 6, in the relay transmitter-receiver19, a transmitting and receivingsection73 and asignal conversion section74 are connected via a transmitting and receivingantenna72 connected by telemetering to the transmitting and receivingantenna71 of the transmitter-receiver17 (seeFIG. 5) placed on therecorder16. Thesignal conversion section74 is connected to amain controller75. Themain controller75 is connected to adata storage section76, a communicationinformation storage section77, and akey input unit78. Further, themain controller75 and thedata storage section76 are connected to achannel codec80, and a voice output system consisting of avoice decoder81, a D/A converter82, and aspeaker83 and a voice input system consisting of amicrophone84, an A/D converter85, and avoice coder86 are placed for inputting and outputting voice from and to the outside through thechannel codec80.
• Thechannel codec80 is connected to a transmitting and receivingsection89 via amodulation section87 and ademodulation section88 and further the transmitting and receivingsection89 is connected switchably to atransmission antenna91aand areception antenna91bvia aswitch90 controlled by a signal from themain controller75. Thetransmission antenna91aand thereception antenna91bare joined to the wide area network connected to the remotely located biological signal input apparatus PC.Numeral79 denotes a power supply section for supplying power to the sections making up the relay transmitter-receiver19.
• (5) Configuration of Biological Signal Input Apparatus PC in Communication System
• FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the biological signal input apparatus PC implemented as a personal computer, etc., that can communicate electrocardiogram data recorded in thedata storage section67 of therecorder16 by connecting the transmitting and receivingantenna71 of the transmitter-receiver17 (seeFIG. 5) of therecorder16 and the remotely located biological signal input apparatus PC directly or with the relay transmitter-receiver19 of a portable telephone, etc., (seeFIG. 6) through the wide area network.
• That is, inFIG. 7, in the biological signal input apparatus PC, a transmitting and receivingsection93 and asignal converter94 are connected via a transmitting and receivingantenna92 for directly connecting by telemetering to the transmitter-receiver17 (seeFIG. 5) of therecorder16. Thesignal converter94 is connected to aCPU95 for system control. TheCPU95 is connected to adata storage section96, adisplay section97, adatabase98, adata analysis program100, and akeyboard101.Numeral99 denotes a power supply section for supplying power to the sections making up the biological signal input apparatus PC. Anintranet connection section102 is provided for thesystem control CPU95 of the biological signal input apparatus PC and the biological signal input apparatus PC is connected through theintranet connection section102 to thetransmission antenna91aand thereception antenna91b(seeFIG. 6) of the relay transmitter-receiver19 of a portable telephone, etc., (seeFIG. 6) by the wide area network.
• (6) General System Configuration and Operation Flow of Communication System
• Therefore, the general system configuration of the communication system in the embodiment can be provided as shown inFIG. 8. In this case, an operation flow can be set as shown inFIG. 9.
• That is, according the communication system configuration shown inFIG. 8, the electrocardiogram data recorded in therecorder16 of the Holter electrocardiograph can be communicated with the biological signal input apparatus PC about inputting the electrocardiogram data etc. together with instruction information (message information) over the wide area network through the transmitter-receiver17 of the Holter electrocardiograph and the relay transmitter-receiver19.
• In this case, in the operation flow, as shown inFIG. 9, in the Holter electrocardiograph, a biological signal (electrocardiogram data) is detected and transmitted in thetransmitter10 of the biological signal detection apparatus at step S1. Next, in thereceiver14, the detection signal transmitted from thetransmitter10 is received at step S2 and is recorded as electrocardiogram data in thedata storage section67 of therecorder16 at step S3. Then, in the biological signal input apparatus PC, the ID (identification label) of the patient is input at step S4, next instruction information (message) is added at step S5 and a data input request instruction is given at step S6. The data input request instruction thus given is transmitted to the Holter electrocardiograph via the wide area network (relay transmitter-receiver19). In this case, in the relay transmitter-receiver19, the ID is checked for validity at step S7 and if the ID is valid, the contents of the instruction information are displayed on therecorder16 of the Holter electrocardiograph at step S8, the required electrocardiogram data recorded in thedata storage section67 is read at step S9 and is transmitted to the biological signal input apparatus PC over the wide area network (relay transmitter-receiver19) through the transmitter-receiver17 consisting of the transmitting and receivingsection70 and the transmitting and receivingantenna71 at step S10. At this time, the ID of the patient is added to the electrocardiogram data at step S11 and is checked for validity in the biological signal input apparatus PC at step S12. If the ID is valid, the data is analyzed by thedata analysis program100 and is recorded in thedata storage section96 at step S13. If the patient PB to whom the Holter electrocardiograph is attached makes a request for conversation with a doctor on the biological signal input apparatus PC side, the patient can operate thecall button switch65 of therecorder16, so that they can converse with each other using the wide area network.
Second Embodiment
• FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of transmitter of biological signal detection apparatus for detecting a biological signal according to the invention. That is, in the embodiment, a data storage section and a transmitting and receiving section are contained in the transmitter of the biological signal detection apparatus in the first embodiment to form a transmitter-receiver10A, and as a communication system, the transmitter-receiver10A is communicatably connected to a biological signal input apparatus PC implemented as a remotely located personal computer, etc., directly or via a relay transmitter-receiver19 of a portable telephone, etc., using a wide area network, whereby electrocardiogram data recorded in the data storage section is input to the biological signal input apparatus PC. Of course, as shown inFIG. 10, the transmitter-receiver10A is communicatably connected to the biological signal input apparatus PC via areceiver160 to input electrocardiogram data recorded in the data storage section to the biological signal input apparatus PC.
• (1) Configuration of Transmitter-Receiver as Biological Signal Detection Apparatus
• Therefore, the transmitter-receiver10A as the biological signal detection apparatus in the embodiment can adopt the circuit configuration as shown inFIG. 11. Components identical with those previously described with reference toFIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals inFIG. 11 and will not be discussed again in detail.
• That is, inFIG. 11(a), in the embodiment, a CPU40 is provided in place of the timedivision multiplexing section33 in the first embodiment. In theCPU40, based ontime data41 and an operation program set in amemory section42 consisting of ROM and RAM, detection signals ofelectrode detachment detectors30A,30B, and30C and output of an A/D converter32 are input and required electrocardiogram data is input to and recorded in adata storage section43. The data signal recorded in thedata storage section43 is modulated by amodulation section44 and is telemetered to the outside via a transmitting and receivingsection46 and a transmitting and receivingantenna47 and a signal received from the outside via the transmitting and receivingantenna47 and the transmitting and receivingsection46 is demodulated by ademodulation section45 and is input to theCPU46. Further, as shown inFIG. 11(b), detachable storage means44′ such as a memory card is placed in the data storage section of the transmitter-receiver10A and is connected to a personal computer PC, whereby electrocardiogram data recorded in the storage means44′ could input to the personal computer PC.
• Using the biological signal detection apparatus of the embodiment described above, the transmitter-receiver10A of the biological signal detection apparatus is connected to a remotely located personal computer PC over a wide area network of telephone lines, etc., via the relay transmitter-receiver such as a portable telephone, whereby electrocardiogram data and instruction information of conversation, etc., can be transferred between a patient and a doctor.
• (2) Configuration of Relay Transmitter-Receiver19 and Biological Signal Input Apparatus PC in Communication System
• In the embodiment, the electrocardiogram data detected and recorded in the transmitter-receiver10A of the biological signal detection apparatus is communicated with the remotely located biological signal input apparatus PC over the wide area network directly by the transmitter-receiver10A or via the relay transmitter-receiver19 of a portable telephone, etc., not via thereceiver14, therecorder16, or the transmitter-receiver17 as the Holter electrocardiograph in the first embodiment, whereby the electrocardiogram data and instruction information of conversation, etc., can be transferred between a patient and a doctor. Therefore, in the embodiment, the receiver14 (seeFIG. 4), therecorder16, and the transmitter-receiver17 (seeFIG. 5) as the Holter electrocardiograph can be omitted. In the embodiment, the relay transmitter-receiver19 (seeFIG. 6) and the biological signal input apparatus PC (seeFIG. 7) described in the first embodiment can be used as they area.
• With the relay transmitter-receiver19 (seeFIG. 6) used in the second embodiment, data or instruction information transferred to and from a transmitting and receivingsection73 via a transmitting and receivingantenna72 is transferred to and from the transmitting and receivingantenna47 of the transmitter-receiver10A as the biological signal detection apparatus shown inFIG. 11. Likewise, with the biological signal input apparatus PC (seeFIG. 7) used in the embodiment, data or instruction information transferred to and from a transmitting and receivingsection93 via a transmitting and receivingantenna92 is also transferred to and from the transmitting and receivingantenna47 of the transmitter-receiver10A as the biological signal detection apparatus shown inFIG. 11.
• (3) General System Configuration and Operation Flow of Communication System
• The general system configuration of the communication system in the embodiment can be provided as shown inFIG. 10. In this case, an operation flow can be set as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13.
• That is, according the communication system configuration shown inFIG. 10, as the basic operation, the electrocardiogram data recorded in thedata storage section43 of the transmitter-receiver10A in the biological signal detection apparatus as the Holter electrocardiograph can be communicated with the biological signal input apparatus PC about inputting the cardiogram data etc. together with instruction information (message information) over the wide area network through the transmitter-receiver10A and the relay transmitter-receiver19.
• If the patient PB to whom the Holter electrocardiograph is attached requests a doctor on the biological signal input apparatus PC side to disclose information concerning the data analysis result, etc., aportable information terminal104 is communicatably connected to the relay transmitter-receiver19 connected to the wide area network, whereby communications with the biological signal input apparatus PC can be conducted.
• Then, in the basic operation flow of the communication system in the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 12, in the Holter electrocardiograph, a biological signal (electrocardiogram data) is detected in the transmitter-receiver10A of the biological signal detection apparatus at step S20 and is recorded as electrocardiogram data in thedata storage section67 at step S21. Then, in the biological signal input apparatus PC, the ID (identification label) of the patient is input at step S22, next instruction information (message) is added at step S23 and a data input request instruction is given at step S24. The data input request instruction thus given is transmitted to the Holter electrocardiograph via the wide area network (relay transmitter-receiver19). In this case, in the relay transmitter-receiver19, the ID is checked for validity at step S25 and if the ID is valid, the contents of the instruction information are displayed on the relay transmitter-receiver19 at step S26, the required electrocardiogram data recorded in thedata storage section67 of the transmitter-receiver10A is read at step S27 and is transmitted to the biological signal input apparatus PC over the wide area network (relay transmitter-receiver19) through the transmitting and receivingsection46 and the transmitting and receivingantenna47 at step S28. At this time, the ID of the patient is added to the electrocardiogram data at step S29 and is checked for validity in the biological signal input apparatus PC at step S30. If the ID is valid, the data is analyzed by adata analysis program100 and is recorded in adata storage section96 at step S31. If the patient PB to whom the Holter electrocardiograph is attached makes a request for conversation with a doctor on the biological signal input apparatus PC side, the patient can operate the relay transmitter-receiver19 of therecorder16, so that they can converse with each other using the wide area network.
• If the patient PB to whom the Holter electrocardiograph is attached requests the doctor on the biological signal input apparatus PC side to disclose information concerning the data analysis result, etc., the operation flow is as follows: As shown inFIG. 13, first in the biological signal input apparatus PC, record data is input based on a data request signal and the analysis result of the record data is prepared and is stored in adatabase98 at step S40. Then, in theportable information terminal104, the ID (identification label) of the patient is input at step S41, next a request for sending the data analysis result is made at step S42. The request for sending the data analysis result is transmitted to the biological signal input apparatus PC via the wide area network (relay transmitter-receiver19). In this case, in the relay transmitter-receiver19, the ID is checked for validity at step S43 and if the ID is valid, the ID is added at step S44 and is checked for validity in the biological signal input apparatus PC at step S45 and the required analysis result stored in the database is input at step S46 and is transmitted with the ID added over the wide area network (relay transmitter-receiver19) to theportable information terminal104 at steps S47 and S48. In this case, in the relay transmitter-receiver19, the ID is checked for validity at step S49 and if the ID is valid, the ID is added at step S50 and is received at theportable information terminal104. Also in theportable information terminal104, the ID is checked for validity at step S51 and if the ID is valid, the received data analysis result can be displayed on a display section of theportable information terminal104 at step S52.
• Next, in thesecond connection section12 in the biological signal detection apparatus adopting the configuration described above, the operation of the connectionsection detachment detector31 and the switch SW and the biological signal detection operation in a normal connection state will be discussed with reference toFIG. 14 and the operation of the connectionsection detachment detector31 and the switch SW and the biological signal detection operation in a connection section detachment state will be discussed with reference toFIG. 15. Components identical with those previously described with reference toFIGS. 3 and 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIGS.14 an15 and will not be discussed again in detail.
• Operation in Normal Connection State
• When thefirst connection section11 and thesecond connection section12 and thetransmitter10 are in the normal connection state, the contacts of the switch SW are placed in a connection state, as shown inFIG. 14. That is, the differential amplifiers AMP1band AMP1c(CM5 lead) are placed in a connection state and the differential amplifiers AMP2aand AMP2c(NASA lead) are placed in a connection state. Consequently, the CM5 lead differential amplifiers AMP1a, AMP1b, and AMP1c, the NASA lead differential amplifiers AMP2a, AMP2b, and AMP2c, and the CC5 lead differential amplifiers AMP3a, AMP3b, and AMP3care properly brought into conduction unless electrode detachment is not detected in theelectrode detachment detector30A,30B, or30C, whereby required biological signal can be provided in the A/D conversion section32.
• Operation in Connection Section Detachment State
• When a connection section detachment state is entered in thesecond connection section12 and thetransmitter10 as shown inFIG. 15, the connectionsection detachment detector31 detects this state and switches the contacts of the switch SW in connection. That is, the differential amplifiers AMP1band AMP1c(CM5 lead) are disconnected and the connection of the differential amplifiers AMP2aand AMP2c(NASA lead) is switched to connection of the differential amplifiers AMP2aand AMP1cand a part of the input side connection circuit of the differential amplifier AMP2ais grounded. Consequently, the potential difference between the electrodes Ed1 (−) and Ed2 (−) in thefirst electrode group20 can be provided in the A/D conversion section32. That is, an electrocardiogram waveform sufficient for detecting a heart rate can be provided by measuring the potential difference.
• Although the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof and, for example, the configurations of the supports of the electrodes of the biological signal detection apparatus shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 and the configuration and placement of the connection sections can be changed in design in various manners and other configurations can also be changed in design in various manners without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
• As seen from the described configuration, according to the apparatus of the invention, the first electrode group is supported collectively on a single support, whereby the number of attached electrodes can be decreased and the attachment work is facilitated. That is, according to the invention, one-touch attachment is enabled and the attachment speed can be increased. Thus, in the apparatus of the invention, a simple electrocardiogram waveform can be measured and moreover the potential difference between the electrodes by CM5 lead, etc., can be measured simply by fitting an electrocardiograph electrode code into the second connection section for the second electrode group without changing electrode attachment. For example, in the apparatus of the invention, for a patient requiring a first aid, first a simple electrocardiogram is measured by the transmitter comprising the first electrode group and the transmitter in one piece, then if the conditions of the patient become calm and a long-term or accurate electrocardiogram waveform (CM5 lead) becomes necessary, an electrocardiogram waveform can be easily led simply by connecting the second electrode group to the second connection section without changing electrode attachment.
• As seen from the described embodiments, the biological signal detection apparatus according to the invention comprises a first electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a first support being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the first electrode group, a second electrode group for detecting a biological signal, a second support being attached to the living tissue surface for supporting the second electrode group, and a transmitter comprising an electric circuit for processing the signals detected by the first and second electrode groups and telemetering the detected signals, the transmitter comprising a first connection section for electrically connecting the first electrode group to the transmitter and fixing the transmitter directly onto the first support and a second connection section for electrically connecting signal lines from the second electrode group to the transmitter. Thus, a large number of excellent advantages can be provided such that a medical telemetry system that can eliminate inconvenience or discomfort when the electrodes are attached to a patient and can prevent detachment of an electrode from causing a malfunction to occur and smoothly and simply exchange information between a patient and a monitor can be constructed. The described biological signal detection apparatus according to the invention can be applied to easily provide an easy-to-handle Holter electrocardiograph which enables the user to properly and promptly monitor electrocardiogram data of a patient.
• As seen from the described embodiments, the communication system of biological signals according to the invention comprises a Holter electrocardiograph comprising a biological signal detection apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a biological signal, supports being attached to the living tissue surface of a patient for supporting the electrodes, and a transmitter for processing the signal detected by the electrode and telemetering the detected signal, a receiver for receiving the signal telemetered from the transmitter of the biological signal detection apparatus and demodulating the received signal, the receiver comprising a terminal for outputting the demodulated signal to a biological signal input section of required record means, and a recorder comprising record means for recording the demodulated signal output from the terminal of the receiver, wherein the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph comprises transmitting and receiving means for telemetering the signal stored in the record means, receiving an external transmission signal, and telemetering some or all of the signals stored in the record means as instructed by the external transmission signal, and a biological signal input apparatus comprising transmitting and receiving means for inputting signals and transmitting and receiving communication information to and from the transmitting and receiving means of the recorder of the Holter electrocardiograph through a relay transmitter-receiver and a wide area network is provided. Thus, a large number of excellent advantages can be provided such that a medical telemetry system that can prevent detachment of an electrode from causing a malfunction to occur and can smoothly and simply exchange information between a patient and a monitor can be constructed.
• Particularly, according to the communication system of the invention adopting the configuration described above, if instruction information including a request for sending detection data is transmitted periodically, for example, every 30 minutes from the remotely located biological signal input apparatus to the Holter electrocardiograph, the conditions of the patient can be grasped in time series and moreover the biological signal input apparatus can always make proper data analysis easily and promptly. In the communication system of the invention, data different from the disease conditions of the patient, such as an electrode detachment state from the patient and a radio wave cutoff state with the transmitter-receiver can be detected reliably, so that the reliability of the detection data of a biological signal can be enhanced sufficiently and the accuracy of the data analysis result can also be enhanced; the advantages for patient management are extremely large.
• The disclosures of U.S. Ser. No. 09/220,751 are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (2)

1-17. (canceled)

18. A biological signal detection system comprising:

a first electrode group for detecting a biological signal;

a first support, attached to the living tissue, for supporting said first electrode group;

a second electrode group for detecting a biological signal;

a second support, attached to the living tissue surface, for supporting said second electrode group; and

a transmitter including:

an electric circuit for processing the signals detected by said first and second electrode groups;

a first connection section for electrically connecting said first electrode group to said transmitter and fixing said transmitter directly onto said first support and a second connection section for electrically connecting signal lines from said second electrode group to said transmitter;

storage means for storing the signals processed by said electric circuit;

an external transmission signal comprising instructions; and

a first transmitter-receiver for telemetering the signals processed by said electric circuit and the signals stored in said storage means and receiving an external transmission signal, said transmitter-receiver telemeters some or all of the signals stored in said storage means or the signal processed by said electric circuit based on said instructions received from said external transmission signal.

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