Ultraviolet cardiac monitoring and analysis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12357178-B2
Application number	US-202217955147-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2022
Priority date	May 31, 2019
Publication date	Jul 15, 2025
Grant date	Jul 15, 2025

Abstract

A mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) device is described, comprising an electrode assembly comprising electrodes that sense heart-related signals when in contact with a body of a user, and produce electrical signals representing the sensed heart-related signals. The mobile ECG device further comprises a light-emitting device to facilitate an optimal placement of the electrode on the body of the user. The mobile ECG device further comprises a housing containing the electrode assembly, the converter assembly, the transmitter, and the light-emitting device. A first electrode of the electrode assembly forms a first side of the housing and comprises an opening through which the light-emitting device provides the UV light.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) device comprising:
an electrode assembly comprising electrodes, wherein the electrode assembly senses heart-related signals when in contact with a body of a user, and produces electrical signals representing the sensed heart-related signals;
a light-emitting device to generate ultra-violet (UV) light to illuminate a marking; and
a cylindrical housing containing the electrode assembly, and the light-emitting device, and wherein a first electrode of the electrode assembly forms a ring around a first side of the cylindrical housing and comprises an opening through which the light-emitting device provides the UV light, and wherein a second electrode of the electrode assembly is located on a second side of the cylindrical housing and is insulated from the first electrode via a dielectric material that is located within the cylindrical housing between the first and second electrodes.

2. The mobile ECG device of claim 1 , wherein the marking indicates a precordial lead location on the body of the user.

3. The mobile ECG device of claim 1 , wherein the marking comprises invisible ink.

4. The mobile ECG device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a converter assembly electrically connected to the electrode assembly, configured to convert the electrical signals to a modulated signal, wherein the modulated signal carries the electrical signals representing the sensed heart-related signals; and
a transmitter that transmits the modulated signal wirelessly to a computing device.

5. The mobile ECG device of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a first male or female connector to snap-fit couple to a corresponding second male or female connector on a removable electrode.

6. A mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) system comprising:
a penlight form factor, wherein the penlight form factor houses:
an electrode assembly comprising electrodes positioned on an exterior surface of the penlight form factor, wherein the electrode assembly senses heart-related signals when in contact with a skin of a user, and produces electrical signals representing the sensed heart-related signals;
an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting device at an end of the penlight form factor, the UV light-emitting device to provide ultra-violet (UV) light to illuminate a marking on the body of the user where an electrode of the electrode assembly is to be placed, wherein a first electrode of the electrode assembly forms a ring around a first side of the penlight form factor and comprises an opening through which the UV light-emitting device may provide the UV light;
a converter assembly electrically connected to the electrode assembly, the converter assembly comprising a processor;
a display electrically connected to the converter assembly, the display positioned on the exterior surface of the penlight form factor; and
a memory comprising instructions to cause the processor to process the sensed heart-related signals and display the heart-related signals on the display.

7. The mobile ECG system of claim 6 , wherein the marking indicates a precordial lead location on the skin of the user.

8. The mobile ECG system of claim 6 , wherein the marking comprises invisible ink.

9. The mobile ECG system of claim 6 , the form factor further comprising a reservoir to store conductive gel and a button which when activated, causes an excretion of the conductive gel.

10. A method, comprising:
activating, by a processor, a light-emitting device of a mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) device to illuminate a marking on a body of a user using ultra-violet (UV) light, wherein the mobile ECG device comprises a cylindrical housing having an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a first electrode that forms a ring around a first side of the cylindrical housing, the first electrode comprising an opening through which the UV light may pass from the light-emitting device to the body of the user;
determining where to place an electrode of the mobile ECG device in view of the marking revealed by the light-emitting device; and
sensing, using the electrode assembly, heart-related signals of the user when the electrode is in contact with the body of the user, and producing electrical signals representing the sensed heart-related signals, wherein the electrode assembly further includes a second electrode that is located on a second side of the cylindrical housing and is insulated from the first electrode via a dielectric material that is located within the cylindrical housing between the first and second electrodes.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the marking on the body of the user corresponds to a precordial lead location on the body of the user.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the marking comprises a tattoo of invisible ink.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the marking comprises a temporary marking of invisible ink.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mobile ECG cylindrical housing comprises a penlight form factor.

Assignees

• Alivecor Inc

Inventors

• Albert David E
• Satchwell Bruce

Classifications

• A61B5/318

  Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG] · CPC title

• A61B5/282

  Holders for multiple electrodes (for introduction into the body A61B5/287) · CPC title

• A61B5/6842 Primary

  by marking the skin · CPC title

• A61B2560/0431

  Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case · CPC title

• A61B5/742

  using visual displays (displays for heart-related electrical signals, e.g. ECG, A61B5/339) · CPC title