U.S. patent number 3,808,502 [Application Number 05/278,638] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-30 for isolator circuit for use with electrical medical equipment.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Birtcher Corporation. Invention is credited to Algis John Babilius.
United States Patent |
3,808,502 |
Babilius |
April 30, 1974 |
ISOLATOR CIRCUIT FOR USE WITH ELECTRICAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Abstract
An isolator circuit for physically and electrically insulating
or isolating electrical equipment from a patient to whom the
equipment is normally connected by electrodes, is disclosed. The
isolator circuit is electrically interposed between the equipment
and the patient by having the electrodes connected to the isolation
circuit. Signals that are provided from the patient are converted
from voltage signals to light signals for transmission via an
optical or photo coupler to an optical receiver for subsequent
reconversion to a voltage signal that is suitable for use by the
electrical equipment. The isolator power supply is multi-staged and
includes a transformer having a high breakdown voltage.
Inventors: |
Babilius; Algis John (La
Puente, CA) |
Assignee: |
The Birtcher Corporation (Los
Angeles, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23065761 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/278,638 |
Filed: |
August 7, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/1;
128/908 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B
10/802 (20130101); A61B 5/301 (20210101); Y10S
128/908 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/0402 (20060101); A61B 5/0428 (20060101); H04B
10/00 (20060101); G08c 019/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;317/9R ;321/2
;128/2.1A,2.6R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Miller; J. D.
Assistant Examiner: Moose, Jr.; Harry E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jackson; Harold L. Jones; Stanley
R. Price; Joseph W.
Claims
1. An isolator circuit for electrically isolating input terminals
from output terminals, body generated signals supplied to said
input terminals from a patient via connecting electrodes being
transmitted from said input terminals to said output terminals
wherein a plurality of different input terminals are available to
provide body generated signals, said isolator circuit
comprising:
optical coupling means for transmitting an optical signal between a
light transmitter and a light receiver thereof, said optical signal
being light having a controlled intensity in response to control
signals applied to said light transmitter;
control means operatively connected to said input terminals, for
continuously applying control signals to said light transmitter for
varying the intensity of said light in response to the amplitude of
body generated signals applied to said input terminals, said
intensity of said light being continuously representative of the
amplitude of said body generated signals;
output means operatively connected to said light receiver for
providing electrical output signals at said output terminals, said
electrical output signals having the same waveshape as said body
generated signals; and
power supply means for providing DC voltages to the components of
said isolator circuit, said power supply means including:
first converter means for converting standard AC voltages to first
DC voltages,
second converter means for converting said first DC voltages to a
chopped DC voltage signal,
third converter means for providing said DC voltages to the
components of said isolator circuit in response to the application
of said chopped DC voltage signals to said third converter means,
and
a low capacitance transformer having a breakdown voltage that is at
least several times the maximum voltage that is applied to said
transformer, said transformer operating to apply said chopped DC
voltage signals to
2. The isolator circuit defined by claim 1, wherein said body
generated signals are voltage signals and said control signals are
current signals, said control means including voltage-to-current
converter means for converting voltage signals representative of
said body generated signals to current signals for use as said
control signals, changes in the amplitude of said current signal
corresponding to changes in the amplitude
3. The isolation circuit defined by claim 1, wherein said light
receiver provides current signals to said output means in response
to light from said light transmitter impinging on said light
receiver, said output means including means for converting the
current signals provided from said light receiver to voltage
signals for use as said electrical output signals, changes in the
amplitude of said electrical output signals corresponding to
changes in the amplitude of said current signals from
4. The isolator circuit defined by claim 1, further including
protection means for protecting said control means against damage
resulting from the
5. The isolator circuit defined by claim 1, said control means
including:
means for providing control signals to said light transmitter to
have light of a selected ambient intensity emitted by said light
transmitter during ambient conditions when no body generated
signals are applied to said input terminals; and
means for causing said control signals to be varied to increase the
intensity of said light beyond said selected ambient intensity in
response
6. The isolator circuit defined by claim 5, said control circuit
further including means for limiting the amplitude of said control
signals to be
7. The isolation circuit defined by claim 5, wherein said light
receiver provides current signals to said output means in response
to light from said light transmitter impinging on said light
receiver, said output means including means for converting the
current signals provided from said light receiver to voltage
signals for use as said electrical output signals, changes in the
amplitude of said electrical output signals corresponding to
changes in the amplitude of said current signals from
8. The isolator circuit defined by claim 7, wherein said body
generated signals are voltage signals and said control signals are
current signals, said control means including voltage-to-current
converter means for converting voltage signals representative of
said body generated signals to current signals for use as said
control signals, changes in the amplitude of said current signal
corresponding to changes in the amplitude
9. The isolator circuit defined by claim 8, said control circuit
further including means for limiting the amplitude of said control
signals to be
10. The isolator circuit defined by claim 9, further including
protection means for protecting said control means against damage
resulting from the
11. An isolator circuit for electrically isolating input terminals
from output terminals, body generated signals supplied to said
input terminals from a patient via connecting electrodes being
transmitted from said input terminals to said output terminals
wherein a plurality of different input terminals are available to
provide body generated signals, said isolator circuit
comprising;
optical coupling means for transmitting an optical signal between a
light transmitter and a light receiver thereof, said optical signal
being light having a controlled intensity in response to control
signals applied to said light transmitter;
control means operatively connected to said input terminals, for
continuously applying control signals to said light transmitter for
varying the intensity of said light in response to the amplitude of
body generated signals applied to said input terminals, said
intensity of said light being continuously representative of the
amplitude of said body generated signals;
output means operatively connected to said light receiver for
providing electrical output signals at said output terminals, said
electrical output signals having the same waveshape as said body
generated signals;
switching means for controllably applying body generated signals to
said control means from selected combinations of said input
terminals; and
blanking means for disabling said control means for selected
periods of time in response to operation of said switching means to
change the combination of input terminals applying said body
generated signals to
12. The isolator circuit defined by claim 11, said switching means
including a plurality of switches, and means for providing a first
signal when any switch thereof is closed and a second signal when
none of the switches thereof are closed, said blanking means
including:
first means, responsive to said second signal, for providing an
enabling signal whenever a closed switch is opened;
second means, responsive to said second signal, for providing an
enabling signal whenever none of said switches are closed;
third means, responsive to said first signal, for providing an
enabling signal whenever a switch is closed following none of said
switches being closed; and
gating means responsive to said enabling signals for providing
said
13. The isolator circuit defined by claim 11, said control means
including:
means for providing control signals to said light transmitter to
have light of a selected ambient intensity emitted by said light
transmitter during ambient conditions when no body generated
signals are applied to said input terminals; and
means for causing said control signals to be varied to increase the
intensity of said light beyond said selected ambient intensity in
response
14. The isolation circuit defined by claim 13, wherein said light
receiver provides current signals to said output means in response
to light from said light transmitter impinging on said light
receiver, said output means including means for converting the
current signals provided from said light receiver to voltage
signals for use as said electrical output signals, changes in the
amplitude of said electrical output signals corresponding to
changes in the amplitude of said current signals from
15. The isolator circuit defined by claim 14, wherein said body
generated signals are voltage signals and said control signals are
current signals, said control means including voltage-to-current
converter means for converting voltage signals representative of
said body generated signals to current signals for use as said
control signals, changes in the amplitude of said current signal
corresponding to changes in the amplitude
16. The isolator circuit defined by Claim 15, said switching means
including a plurality of switches, and means for providing a first
signal when any switch thereof is closed and a second signal when
none of the switches thereof are closed, said blanking means
including:
first means, responsive to said second signal, for providing an
enabling signal whenever a closed switch is opened;
second means, responsive to said second signal, for providing an
enabling signal whenever none of said switches are closed;
third means, responsive to said first signal, for providing an
enabling signal whenever a switch is closed following none of said
switches being closed; and
gating means responsive to said enabling signals for providing
said
17. The isolator circuit defined by claim 16, further including
power supply means for providing DC voltages to the components of
said isolator circuit, said power supply means including:
first converter means for converting standard AC voltages to first
DC voltages;
second converter means for converting said first DC voltages to a
chopped DC voltage signal;
third converter means for providing said DC voltages to the
components of said isolator circuit in response to the application
of said chopped DC voltage signals to said third converter means;
and
a low capacitance transformer having a breakdown voltage that is at
least several times the maximum voltage that is applied to said
transformer, said transformer operating to apply said chopped DC
voltage signals to
18. The isolator circuit defined by claim 17, further including
protection means for protecting said control means against damage
resulting from the
19. The isolator circuit defined by claim 18, said control circuit
further including means for limiting the amplitude of said control
signals to be between preselected positive and negative threshold
values.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to medical electrical equipment
that is designed for use by being maintained in contact with a
patient. More particularly, the subject invention concerns a
circuit for physically and electrically isolating electrical
equipment from a patient to which it is attached while yet
permitting body generated signals to be conducted from the patient
to the equipment for recordation, display or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of electrical equipment is used for medical purposes.
Electrodes are commonly used in conjunction with such equipment to
provide a conductive path for body generated signals indicative of
certain functions of a human body. An electrocardiograph is
exemplary of such equipment wherein a plurality of leads or
electrodes are attached to the body of a patient to permit the
measurement of electrical potentials generated between various
combinations of electrodes at the surface of the body as a result
of activity within the heart. Generally considered, such equipment
is passive in the sense that electrical power is not being applied
to the body by the equipment.
Except for certain purposes such as defibrillation, it is not
desirable to have electrical current applied to the body for
conduction therethrough. Accidental application of electrical
current to a patient may cause serious burning of the patient at
points where a ground return path is available, i.e., through the
electrodes connecting the patient to monitoring or measuring
devices, etc. Depending on the health of a patient, and the amount
of current, death may result from such accidental application of
electrical current. For example, a heart patient in intensive care
would be highly susceptible to the inadvertant application of even
a moderate amount of electrical energy.
Numerous preventive measures have been devised to reduce or
eliminate the accidental electrocution, burning, or other injury of
patients by the malfunctioning of electrical equipment to which
they may be attached. For example, care is taken to design the
equipment to have the casing thereof properly grounded via ground
connections extending through the familiar electrical cord and
three-prong plug which is inserted into the common wall socket to
receive the standard 110 volts, 60 cycle, AC power. Nevertheless,
malfunctions in medical equipment continue to occur causing injury
and an occasional fatality. Even the passive-types of electrical
equipment are problematical since some form of power supply must be
included to provide power to the unit itself.
More complex preventive safety measures have involved the design of
isolator circuits which are interposed between the electrodes and
electrical equipment. The isolator circuits are intended to permit
transmission of information from the body to medical equipment; but
provide electrical isolation between the patient and the measuring
equipment such that a malfunction, i.e., short circuited
transformer, broken ground connections, etc., will not result in
the undesired completion of an electrical path to the patient
through which electrical current may be conducted.
Basically, there are two types of prior art insulator circuits. The
first simply involves the use of an additional transformer.
Electrical body signals from the patient are modulated and
transmitted through the transformer to the electrical medical
device connected thereto. The transformer itself provides the
physical insulation of the patient. In effect, this type of
isolator circuit simply adds another transformer in series with the
power transformer used in the medical equipment. Theoretically, the
possibility of an injury occurring is reduced since the concurrent
breakdown of all of the series connected transformers would be
required to complete a potentially dangerous electrical connection.
Nevertheless, short circuiting of the transformer coils remains as
a possibility. Further, the necessity of modulating and
demodulating the detected body signals introduces inaccuracy and
requires an undesired amount of complexity.
The second type of prior art isolator circuit involves the use of a
light coupling device to transmit the electrical body signals via
the electrodes to the medical equipment. A bttery is employed to
power the active elements of the unit and the body signals are
therefore modulated with a low duty cycle to conserve the battery
power. The low duty cycle modulation has been found to be
inaccurate since heart pulses, for example, occurring during the
off-period may be completely missed. Also, the use of a battery
requires routine periodic replacement of the battery to ensure
operation of the isolator circuit. However, typically there is no
uniform maintenance of battery operated equipment at hospitals,
medical clinics and/or offices and none can be reasonably expected
as a rule. The result is that when such battery powered equipment
is put into use, there is no way of accurately determining, on
site, whether the battery is of full strength, partial strength, or
near dead. Reliability is accordingly a key disadvantage with the
second type of prior art devices.
It is accordingly the intention of the present invention to provide
a reliable and effective patient isolator circuit that may be
readily interposed between the patient and medical electrical
equipment, or built into future equipment, to insulate the patient
from the equipment by preventing the completion of any electrical
path or connection through which electric current may be conducted
through the patient either from the equipment connected to the
isolator circuit or from other equipment connected to the patient
and not having an isolator circuit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention involves a patient
isolator circuit which transmits body generated signals from a
patient to attached medical electrical equipment while insulating
the patient from the electrical equipment to prevent the completion
of an electrical path from the patient to the equipment.
More particularly, the subject patient isolator includes an optical
coupler through which body generated signals are transmitted to the
medical equipment. Voltage signals from the body of a patient are
amplified and converted to current signals for application to a
light transmitter of an optical coupler. Transmitted light signals
are received by a light receiver of the optical coupler and
provided to an output amplifier circuit to be re-converted to
voltage signals for application to the medical equipment. A power
supply including a low capacitance transformer having a high
breakdown voltage insulates the patient from the power supply and
converts AC power available from any conventional wall socket to DC
voltages for the isolator circuit.
The objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will be
more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by
reference to the following detailed description which is to be
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein
like reference symbols designate like parts throughout the figures
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an isolator circuit in
accordance with the present invention operatively connected between
a patient and medical electrical equipment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a patient isolator
circuit in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a detailed circuit diagram of a light emitting diode
control circuit useable with the subject invention.
FIG. 4 is a detailed circuit diagram illustrating an output
amplifier circuit useable with the subject invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a modified
embodiment of a patient isolator circuit in accordance with the
subject invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a blanking circuit
that may be used in conjunction with the isolator circuit shown by
FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a graphic diagram illustrating a series of waveforms that
are useful in discussing the operation of the blanking circuit
shown by FIG. 6 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a patient isolator circuit 10 in accordance
with the present invention is intended to be operatively connected
between a medical electrical device 12 and a patient 14. The
medical electrical device 12 may be an electrocardioscope, or heart
monitor, electrocardiograph, or the like, which are usually
employed by being connected to a patient by a plurality of
electrodes. As shown, such a plurality of electrodes would be
connected to the isolator circuit 10. A standard electrical cable
18 may be used to connect the isolator circuit 10 to the monitor
12.
Generally considered, the isolator circuit 10 must serve to
transmit electrical body signals from the patient 14 to the monitor
12; but at the same time provide physical insulation between the
monitor 12 and the patient 14 to prevent accidental conduction of
electrical energy between the patient 14 and the monitor 12. Such
an accident may occur, for example, as a result of a malfunction in
the monitor 12 such as a breakdown of a power transformer (i.e.,
short circuiting of the coils thereof) or disconnection of a ground
return connection for the equipment, as earlier discussed.
The detailed block diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates that insulation is
effectively provided by the subject isolator circuit 10 by the use
of an optical coupler 20 and a transformer 22 having a high
breakdown voltage. The optical coupler 20 permits the transmission
of body signals from the patient 14 to the monitor 12, but will not
permit the conduction of electrical energy. The transformer 22 by
having a high breakdown voltage permits transfer of power from the
standard AC source to a DC power supply 37 for portions of the
isolator circuit; but effectively prevents accidental transfer of
energy that may be permitted by a breakdown.
Considered in greater detail, the isolator circuit 10 includes an
AC to DC converter circuit 26 which is adapted to be connected to
the standard 110 volt, 60 cycle, AC source by an electrical cable
28 and socket 30. The power supply 26, may be any conventional type
that is adapted to provide positive ane negative DC voltages at a
pair of output leads 32 and 34, respectively. The DC voltages are
provided to a converter circuit 36 which may be a chopper circuit
of conventional type. The converter circuit 36 thus will provide
chopped DC signals to the primary coil of the transformer 22. The
converter circuit 36 is preferably designed to provide high
frequency chopped DC signals. For example, a frequency of 20 kHz
has been found to be suitable.
The use of a high frequency permits the transformers 22 to be of a
low capacitance-type to further enchance the safety factor. The
tranformer 22 preferably has a breakdown voltage in the
neighborhood of 10 kilovolts which far exceeds any possible
electrical power that may be accidentally applied to the
transformer. For example, defibrillators presently in use involve a
maximum of 2 kilovolts.
The chopped DC signals are provided from the secondary coil of the
transformer 22 to a DC power supply 37 which provides DC power to
portions of the isolator circuit 10 that are electrically connected
to a patient by the electrodes 16. The DC power supply 37, for
purposes of the subject isolator circuit 10 may provide .+-.12
volts at output terminals that are appropriately connected (not
shown) as is necessary to provide desired DC power to the various
circuit elements. The power supply 37 may be of any conventional
configuration. As an example, a pair of rectifier circuits may be
used to provide the desired DC voltages.
The electrodes 16, which are connected to the patient 14, are
connected to a bank of protection circuits 38 which serve to
prevent damage to the electronic components in the isolator circuit
10 by high amplitude signals that may be provided from the patient
via the electrodes 16. Any suitable circuit configuration may be
used. A simple protection circuit 38 is shown by FIG. 5 and may
include a neon lamp that connects the associated electrode to a
common terminal. A conventional rectifier pair 40 may be used to
further limit the maximum voltages that may be provided over an
electrode. Each of the electrodes to be accommodated would be
connected to a neon bulb 39 and a rectifier pair 40.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the body signals are provided to an
amplifier circuit 41 from the protection circuits 38. The amplifier
circuit 41 may be designed to provide a gain of fifty-times where
the usual amplitude of an electrical body signal applied thereto is
in the neighborhood of 1 milivolt.
The amplified body signals are applied to a light emitting diode
control circuit 42 for application to a light emitting diode 44
included in the optical coupler 20. The light emitted by the diode
44 is received by a light receiving diode 46 of the optical coupler
20. Current signals from the diode 46 are applied to an output
amplifier circuit 48 which operates to convert the current signals
to voltage signals that are suitable for use by the monitor 12 that
may be connected to an output terminal lead 50.
The light emitting diode control circuit 42 operates to convert the
voltage signals provided from the amplifier 41 to current signals
for application to the diode 44 of the optical coupler 20. The
control circuit 42 also serves to maintain the diode 44 partially
conductive during ambient conditions such that the increases and
decreases in the amplitude of body generated signals can be readily
followed by corresponding changes in the intensity of the light
provided by the diode 44.
A calibration current source 52 of any conventional design well
known in the prior art is connected to provide a calibration
current to the control circuit 42 via the amplifier 41. A switch
may be used to permit manually controlled application of the
calibration current. As an example, a one milivolt calibration
signal may be employed.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary control circuit 42 that may be used
in conjunction with the subject invention. Electrical body signals
are provided from the amplifier 41 via a lead 56 which includes a
serially connected input resistor 58 and capacitor 60 through which
the body signals are applied to the inverting input terminal of an
operational amplifier 62. The output signal of the amplifier 62 is
varied according to the amplitude of input signals and is applied
to the base of an output transistor 64 to control the conductivity
thereof. The amount of current applied to the light emitting diode
44 is varied by control of the conductivity of the transistor
64.
A current limiting resistor 66 is connected in series with the
inverting input terminal of the amplifier 62. A conventional
feedback circuit is provided and includes a feedback resistor 68
connected in series with one of a pair of resistors 70 and 72 to
complete the feedback connection to the emitter terminal of the
output transistor 64. The values of the resistors 70 and 72 may be
suitably adjusted to control the gain of the amplifier 62. A
capacitor 74 is connected in parallel with the feedback resistor 68
to control the roll-off frequency response of the amplifier 62.
The current to be applied through the diode 44 is supplied by an
accurate current source. The combination of a zener diode 76 and a
transistor 78 may be used for this purpose. Current to maintain the
light emitting diode 44 at the desired level of ambient
illumination is provided via a bias resistor 80. The current is
carefully selected to have the diode 44 emit a median amount of
light. Control of the conductivity of the transistor 64 accordingly
permits greater or lessor amounts of current to be conducted via
the transistor 64 and a bias resistor 82 to the diode 44 such that
the intensity of light emitted thereby is varied as a direct
function of the amplitude of electrical body signals provided to
the amplifier 62.
Fine adjustment of the amount of bias current provided to the diode
44 under ambient conditions is permitted by the use of a variable
resistor 84 which is connected to the inverting input of the
amplifier 62 through a connecting resistor 86.
A clamping circuit is provided to limit the maximum output of the
amplifier 62. Such clamping is necessary to prevent damage to the
mechanical meter movements that may result from large transients
such as may be produced by movement of a patient. The clamping
circuit thus prevents voltages exceeding a preselected amount from
being applied to the emitter of the transistor 64. The clamping
circuit includes a serially connected diode 88 and a zener diode 90
which are biased to accommodate positive transient voltages. A
serially connected diode 92 and zener diode 94 are biased to
accommodate negative transient voltages.
The light emitted by the diode 44 is received by the diode 46 of
the optical coupler 20. Resulting current signals are applied to
the output amplifier circuit 48. A suitable output amplifier
circuit 48 for use with the subject invention is illustrated by
FIG. 4. As earlier mentioned, the output amplifier circuit operates
to convert the current signals provided from the light receiving
diode 46 to suitable voltage signals for application to, and use
by, monitoring or other electrical equipment.
As shown by FIG. 4, the output amplifier circuit 48 may also
include an operational amplifier 96. Current signals are provided
from the diode 46 to the inverting input terminal of the amplifier
96. An amplifier feedback path includes a resistor 98 connected in
series with a parallel connected resistor 100 and capacitor 102. As
with the amplifier 62 in the control circuit 42, the capacitor 102
and resistor 100 permit adjustment of the roll-off frequency
response of the amplifier 96. Amplifier gain adjustment is
permitted by a resistor 104 connected in series with a variable
resistor 106.
Fine adjustment of the desired ambient output voltage levels is
permitted by a variable resistor 108 and a connecting resistor 110
connected to the inverting input of the amplifier 96. Capacitors
112 and 114 are connected to provide filtering for the power supply
connections.
Voltage signals to be applied to associated medical equipment is
developed across an output resistor 118 connected in series with a
larger resistor 116. Any suitable output terminal configuration may
be used such as the illustrated socket structure that is designed
to accommodate a standard plug 120.
The embodiment of FIG. 2 is notably designed for use with a three
electrode system. A typical three electrode system would involve an
electrocardioscope which may typically be used to monitor the
heartbeat of a patient. In the case of electrocardiographs, a
greater number of electrodes is normally required. Typically, at
least five electrodes are connected to the arms, legs, and chest of
a patient. Different combinations of these electrodes are
interconnected to obtain standard measurement in accordance with
established medical practice.
Table I hereinbelow identifies seven standard electrocardiograph
measurements and the associated combinations of electrodes.
TABLE I
Measurements Connections (+) (-) Lead I ECG LA RA Lead II ECG LL RA
Lead III ECG LL LA Augmented vector right (aVR) RA LA+LL Augmented
vector left (aVL) LA RA+LL Augmented vector front (aVF) LL RA+LA
Precordial (V) C RA+LA+LL
as may be observed, switching between the various electrodes is
required to obtain these standard measurements. Such switching is
usually accomplished with an appropriate switch bank on the
electrocardiograph. However, the isolator circuit 10 may be
equipped with a bank of mechanical switches 122 to assume the
switching function.
Generally, the switch bank 122 may involve a plurality of
individual switches which when operated will close or make a number
of ganged contacts after opening or breaking the contacts of any
already closed switch. The electrodes are appropriately connected
to the various switch contacts to form the desired combinations. A
single one of the contacts of each switch may be connected to a
voltage source such that a distinguishable high signal is provided
when one of the switches is closed and a negative signal is
provided when any of the switches is closed.
As is well known, transients accompany operation of switches. To
prevent any adverse effects of such transients, the control circuit
42 may be disabled by a blanking circuit 124 which is connected to
provide a blanking pulse whenever any switch in the switch bank is
operated.
Referring briefly to FIGS. 6 and 7, the blanking circuit 124 may
simply include three parallel connections for applying input
signals to an OR gate 126. A high output signal will be provided by
the OR gate 126 whenever a high signal is applied as an input
thereto from any of the input channels. Assume that a contact 128
symbolically represents the switching bank 122 wherein when any
switch in the bank 122 is closed or made, a low voltage signal is
applied to the contact 128 from a negative source 130 and wherein
when none of the switches in the bank 122 is closed, a high voltage
signal is provided to the contact 128 from a positive source
132.
Waveforms A and E of FIG. 7 illustrate pulsed signals that would be
effectively produced by the operation of any switch in the bank
122, i.e., opening a previously closed switch and reclosing a
switch. As shown, the low signal prevailing when any switch is
closed is changed to a high signal by the opening of the closed
switch. The high signal remains until another switch in the bank
122 is closed at which time a low signal is again provided. The
width of the pulse of waveforms A and E corresponds to the length
of time during which none of the switches in the bank 122 is
closed. As indicated by waveforms D and H, the output of the OR
gate 126 immediately becomes high upon all of the switches being
broken due to the attendant high signal provided over the input
lead 133. The high signal also triggers a one-shot circuit 134
which supplies a high signal to the OR gate 126 for a predetermined
length of time as is illustrated by waveforms B and F. Upon any
switch in the bank 122 being subsequently closed, the resulting low
signal triggers a one-shot circuit 136 which receives a high signal
from the inverter circuit 138. A high signal is thus provided to
the OR gate 126 for a predetermined length of time following any
closing of a switch as is illustrated by waveforms C and G.
Accordingly, a blanking pulse will be provided by the output of the
OR gate 126 for at least the time duration during which no switch
is closed plus the preset time corresponding to the pulse provided
by the one-shot 136 as shown by waveform H. However, when a
connected switch is opened and another switch is promptly closed as
shown by waveform A, the duration of the blanking pulse from the OR
gate 126 of the blanking circuit 124 would be shorter as shown by
waveform D of FIG. 7.
The control circuit 42 may be disabled by using the blanking pulse
to operate an appropriate switching element such as a transistor.
For example, a transistor may be connected between the resistor 84
and a common ground terminal and operate to short circuit the
inverting input terminal of the amplifier 62 of the control circuit
42 when the transistor is rendered conductive by the blanking
pulse.
Referring once again to FIG. 5, the plurality of electrodes 16 that
are used would each be connected to have a protection circuit as
earlier discussed in conjunction with FIG. 2. Each of the
electrodes would then be connected to a buffer amplifier before
being appropriately connected to the contacts of the switch bank
122. Each buffer amplifier would preferably have unity gain and
would simply serve to compensate for the high input impedance
presented by the mechanical switches.
Use of the circuit configuration illustrated by FIG. 6 would
eliminate the need for any operation of the switching mechanism on
an electrocardiograph and is as such intended to replace such
switching mechanism. In the instances where the subject isolator
circuit is incorporated with medical electrical equipment as an
integral part thereof, the switching bank 122 would be the same as
the presently used switching mechanism on such equipment.
From the foregoing description it is now clear that the subject
application provides an isolator circuit that may be used to
effectively transmit body generated signals from a patient to
medical electrical equipment for display or recordation without the
use of any modulation technique, or the like, which has heretofore
been used on known prior art devices. The result is that the
subject invention is highly accurate and significantly less
complex. Also of importance is the added reliability of the subject
isolator circuit due to the use of a power supply that is operated
by standard AC power that is readily and continually available. It
is also clear that the subject isolator circuit by the use of the
low capacitance transformer 22 having a high breakdown voltage and
the optical coupler 20 prevents any undesirable electrical path
from being completed through the isolator circuit from the patient
to the electrical equipment. Accordingly, no injury due to the
conduction of electrical energy through a patient via such a path
is possible.
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
described hereinabove, it is intended that all matter contained in
the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense and that
all modifications, constructions and arrangements which fall within
the scope and spirit of the invention may be made.
* * * * *