Showing papers on "Heartbeat published in 1973"

Cardiac assist apparatus

Abstract: An apparatus for providing external assistance for the circulation of blood in a patient wherein a substantially rigid housing encloses a portion of the patient's body, such as the legs, and a closed pneumatic pressure actuation system is used to actuate a pressure medium, at least a portion of which is gaseous, within the housing to cyclically apply pressure to the body in synchronism with the patient's heartbeat. The housing may be fabricated to provide either a fixed volume or a variable volume therein. Means are provided for effecting an efficient transfer of energy from the actuation system to the pressure medium and thence to the patient's body.

Portable heart monitor

Abstract: A portable heart monitoring apparatus incorporating unique structural and functional features. Electrodes carried on the apparatus capture electrical signals representing the functioning of a heart beating therewithin and provides sensible output indications corresponding to predetermined characteristics of the electrical signals and, hence, of the detected heartbeat. One of the sensible outputs provided is the selective actuation of either of two logic lights indicating whether the heartbeat is above or below respectively a predetermined beating rate. The unit is automatically turned on by merely holding the instrument in the user's hand and the selective actuation of the various operational modes may be conveniently made by selectively placing one of the hands's digits (such as the thumb) from one touch contact point to another. Part of the operation in the test mode involves the effective testing of the reserve battery power without actually loading the battery. Structurally, the device is convenient to hold in the hand and includes, on one side, a ground plane for establishing electrical contact with the user's hand. The ground plane structure is also formed as an open-sided storage compartment for the electrodes and is surrounded by a wrap-around structure for self-storing of the electrode leads.

Pulse activity indicator

Abstract: A cardiovascular monitoring system employs a photoelectric monitoring circuit to obtain analog signals corresponding to the heartbeat of a subject. Cooperating amplification and detecting circuitry provide an audible tone corresponding to each pulse beat as well as a readout of the pulse rate of the subject and blood pressure. Circuitry is provided which detects and displays both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, an auxiliary input permits selection of the subject''s pulse at separate points. Circuitry providing a simultaneous output for additional electro-physiological measurement, such as electrocardiograph instrumentation, is also included.

Electrocardiogram monitoring apparatus

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus is disclosed for automatically analyzing electrocardiograms in order to detect myocardial infarction. The apparatus for observing heart rhythm disturbances comprises a logic system which establishes a sequence of timed windows occurring during scanned heartbeat intervals. The logic system further electrically records and stores the windows in which electrocardiogram threshold levels occur over several regular heartbeat intervals to provide a normal, reference pattern. After which, the logic system electronically determines the window or windows in which the threshold levels occur in subsequent heartbeat cycles. A compare logic system is then provided to compare the determined window or windows with the normal, reference pattern. Finally, an alarm system is provided that is responsive to any variations or non-identities of the compared patterns.

Heartbeat actuator with controlled pulse amplitude

Abstract: A heartbeat actuator, particularly an implantable heartbeat actuator has means for automatically lowering the amplitude of stimulating impulses produced by the beat actuator. The invention is particularly characterized by a stepwise switching device operated in rhythm with the stimulating impulses and used for connecting switching elements which influence the amplitude of the stimulating impulses. The elements are so dimensioned that the lowering of the amplitudes takes place in predetermined preferably equal steps.

Heart surveillance device

Abstract: A device which monitors the interval between every other heartbeat to determine if the heart rate is too fast or too slow. The previously monitored interval is compared to the present interval to determine whether there has been an abrupt change of heart rate and if there has been a change of heart rhythm. Time intervals are measured digitally using a first pulse train and the determinations are made digitally between two pulses of said first pulse train under the control of a second pulse train. The occurrence of every heart beat is monitored to determine if the heart has stopped beating.

Heart monitoring system

Abstract: A heart monitoring system is disclosed which monitors a heartbeat to determine whether certain arrhythmias, such as extrasystoles, and high and low heartbeat rates, are occurring. The system is primarily composed of digital electronic logic and can be made portable. The logic compares the time intervals between R waves of the heartbeat to determine the occurrence of any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, an alarm associated with the system is sounded to inform the patient to view a visual display of the particular problem.

System and method for determining fetal heart rate

Abstract: System and method for determining fetal heart rate in which a demodulated Doppler signal is passed through a sharply tuned filter to eliminate Doppler components corresponding to heart movement other than the heartbeat. The filtered signal is applied to a comparator which causes a one-shot multivibrator to fire and deliver an output pulse in response to each heartbeat signal. The output pulses are applied to a beat-to-beat counter which produces an analog voltage corresponding to the rate of the pulses. This voltage is utilized to control the period of the multivibrator to prevent false pulses and double counting in response to harmonics of the heartbeat signal.