Background of the Invention
Products available in market are not a continuous ECG monitoring system
and require patient to consciously touch the electrodes on the device to
monitor ECG. ECG recorders are generally designed for portable collection
of electrocardiograph data fiom a patient once an initial ECG is taken at a
physician's office, clinic or other health facility having an on-site, nonambulatory
electrocardiograph. Recordings fiom these portable devices are
subsequently used to detect abnormalities in the heart's electrical activity
caused by a patient's routine daily activities or heightened emotional or
physical states. The majority of these portable ambulatory monitors are
bullcy and interfere with the patient's normal life. Patient compliance cannot
always be relied upon and is a common problem in their use. Problems with
body-worn, lead-type portable monitors also include inability to abide
attendant skin irritation. Results fiom such lead-type dependent monitors
may vary depending on the placement of the various multiple electrodes
upon the body of the patient. The most critical time is the first 2 hours of a
heart attack. Research data shows that if the patient is provided medical
help within first 2 hours, the chances of survival increases up to 64
%.However over 85% heart attack starts when patients is outside home or at
place where there is no means to detect an attack. Generally heart attack
takes time to develop, many times, up to five years.
U.S. Patent 4,120,294 (Wolfe) discloses a wrist-worn device for monitoring
electrical heart signals (e.g., heartbeat rate or ECG), but does not include
memory for recording such data. Moreover, the Wolfe unit has only two
electrodes --no ground electrode is contemplated and therefore, is highly
susceptible to muscle artifact signals which can degrade the quality of ECG
data pickup. Consequently, even if memory was provided recording of
medical-grade ECG data by such a unit would be unlikely.
Despite the conventional ECG machines, there is a need to provide an ECG
Recording device that is low in cost and portable in nature. The device
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uploads the vitals on daily basis which can be reviewed on timely basis by
Cardio specialists. This helps users know of any developing problems, may
be years before, it becomes an uncontrollable disease. The data can also
reflect on a person lifestyle. Hence, many other lifestyle diseases like
diabetes can also be avoided using this device.
Objectives of the Invention
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a portable and cost
effective 24x7 ECG recording device for the Heath care industry.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device that can be
monitored 24x7 by web portals and helps in taking corrective actions for
users within time.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device with
minimal size and weight. However the weight and sized can be changed as
per the requirement in different variants.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a ultra-thin ECG
device so that can be used regularly, at all times; & wearable at chest area,
using a smart chest band or can be worn as wrist band or any other body part
as per the requirement of user or as a pocket card which can be easily carried
in pocket and can be used on regular basis to monitor health.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a Device that
can be paired with Smartphone via Bluetooth, WiMAX, USB cable and can
transmit the data to smart phone application.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compact, portable and cost effective 24 X
7 ECG recording device to keep check on the health of a user on daily basis
without any intervention. The device runs on a thin lithium ion battery and
all the time uploads live ECG data on the server for easy access to the
system users as well as doctors. The server monitors the ECG and in case the
ECG shoots in abnormal ranges, it gives a call back to user via IVR. There is
a hardware circuit present in the device with a sensor that passes ECG data
to a microprocessor for determining the user's condition in case of an
emergency or abnormality. The user will be able to log in on their web
accounts and can check there ECG levels for the lifetime. The device has a
web based system that records life time patient ECG data and takes
preventive action within required time. The device tracks essential vitals on
daily basis, which includes ECG, Pulse rates and effects of various drugs.
The major components of the invention are sensor, LED, circuit, power
source and microprocessor.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 : illustrates complete view of the ECG device
Working of the Invention
As illustrated in Fig 1, the present invention relates to a compact, portable
and cost effective ECG recording device to keep check on the health of a
user on daily basis without any intervention. There may be different
preferred embodiments of product.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the ECG
devices comprises of a sensor (I), a first LED (3), a second LED(S), a third
LED (2), a Bluetooth button (4) for enabling Bluetooth connection, a power
button (6) for switching ONIOFF the device, a power source , a hardware
circuit and a microprocessor.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the sensor
reads human voltage level either by touching it or by a distance of 21nm
based on capacitor coupling concept. The voltage is passed to the hardware
circuit attached below the sensor. The hardware circuit therefore receives
voltage as input from a person, when the person touches the sensor. This
voltage is mixed with noise also. The circuit removes noise to a large extent
and then passes the data to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is
controlled by soRware known as "firmware". The fmnware controls how the
data is to be read from the sensor, it performs an algorithm to detect the
ECG. Based on the firmware the microprocessor immediately alarms by the
LED light and Sound buzzer if there is any heart problem in the patient.
The device has three LED'S that perform different hctions, second LED
(5) is used for indicating the charging of the power source i.e. the battery,
third LED (2) is used for determining Bluetooth connection and first
LED(3) for determining the heart condition of the patient. After successful
ECG reading, the third LED will glow green, if user has normal ECG,
yellow if some minor abnormality and red if user has a heart problem.
Various other embodiments of the present invention are a low cost ECG
device that does not have web based connectivity. It will sound a buzzer if
the ECG data is alarming a heart attack. A Web based ECG device that
records continuous ECG data of patient. It can call back via IVR and SMS
patient if the ECG data alarms of a heart attack. In addition it can send daily
SMS or email based ECG reports and a possible prediction of alarming
conditions in terms of days. A standalone ECG wstem that can be used in
hospitals in place of conventional ECG svsterms. This will have web
connectivity to record all patients' data in the server. They will consume
extremely low power as compared to conventional ECG machines. Auxiliary
features like GPS tracking with ambulance support can also be a part of the
device. The other embodiments can be. combination of features mentioned
above.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing fiom the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly,
reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the
foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

e Claim:
1. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring and
recording ECG signals, comprising:
- a sensor (l),wherein said sensor reads the voltage level when in contact by
a user;
- a hardware circuit associated to said sensor, wherein said circuit receives
said voltage and passes ECG data of said user to a microprocessor;
-said microprocessor controls said ECG data and raises a predetermined
alarm or a sound buzzer through a first light emitting diode (LED) (3) in
case of an emergency; and
- a power source associated to a second light emitting diode (LED) (5) that
indicates charging of said power source.
2. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said power
source coupled to said second LED (5) is a battery made up of lithium ion.
3. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, wherein a third
LED (2) determines Bluetooth connection.
4. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in any of the preceding claims ,
wherein said first LED(3) glows green if said user has normal ECG reading
, yellow if some minor abnormality has prevailed and red if said user has a
heart problem.
5. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said software is
"firmware".
5. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said device is
cost effective and simple in design.
6. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said device has a
Bluetooth button (4) for enabling Bluetooth connection and a power button
(6) for switching ONIOFF said device.
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7. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claims 1 and 4, wherein said
sohare runs an algorithm to determine said ECG reading of said user.
7. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said device can
be paired with Smartphone via Bluetooth, WiMAX, USB cable and can
transmit said ECG data to smart phone applications.
8. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said device can
be worn as wrist band, chest band and can even be used as a pocket card and
the likes.
9. A portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said device
monitors and records Pulse rates and effects of drugs on the body.
10. A portable electrocardiogram ( ECG) device for selectively monitoring
and recording ECG signals as claimed in any of the preceding claims
substantially as herein described with the accompanying figures.