Portable and separable heart monitor and heart defibrillator apparatus

Abstract

This disclosure describes a portable, separable unit containing heart monitor and defibrillator portions. Both units have separate, rechargeable power supplies. This enables separate operation of the monitor portion when it is removed from the combined unit housing. Switch means within the monitor portion are automatically operated when the latter is placed in the main console thereby interrupting flow of power between the monitor power supply and the various monitor circuits. Additional switch means within the defibrillator portion can then be operated to bypass the interruptive effect of the automatic switch means and enable the monitor circuits to again be powered by its respective power supply.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to combination heart monitor-heart defibrillator units and more particularly one where the monitor and the defibrillator operate in one portable console or as separate portable units.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias with electric countershock requires two capabilities:

1. a means for ascertaining the rhythm of the heart so that suitable diagnosis can be performed, and

2. a means for delivering to the heart electrical energy of proper amount, strength and duration.

The first is accomplished by providing an electrocardiagram either on a cathode-ray oscilloscope or on a strip of recording tape with the latter function provided by a defibrillator.

Originally, the monitor and the defibrillator functions were provided by separate instruments with separate power supplies, and not necessarily of the same manufacture. Subsequently manufacturers began to combine the monitor and the defibrillator functions into a unitary, portable but inseparable package with a single power supply.

In practice, however, the monitor is used much more frequently and for longer periods of time than the defibrillator. For example, the monitor is always used initially to enable diagnosis of the cardiac dysrhythmia but the condition diagnosed may not require use of the defibrillator. Generally the monitor will continue in use until the patient reaches a facility for permanent care, and during transport it is often desirable to have the monitor travel with the patient. If the monitor and the defibrillator are inseparable within a single package, the instrument although portable is often too cumbersome to place on or near the conveying stretcher or too awkward to use conveniently. Further, the defibrillator may be needed constantly at the emergency facility so that transport in a combined unit would be further undesirable.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a portable monitor-defibrillator combination in a single housing with the monitor removable from the main housing for use as a independent instrument.

It is a further object of this invention to provide separate rechargeable power supplies within the monitor and defibrillator, respectively, enabling portable operation alone or together.

It is still another object of this invention to provide master power controlling means in the main housing which enables power to be supplied through the defibrillator during those times when the monitor is within the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention. The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the objects of the invention and its principles, and are not to be construed as restrictions or limitations on its scope. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the monitor portion removed and shown separately.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with the monitor portion positioned in the main console.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back end of the monitor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the heart monitor-heart defibrillator combination 10, with the heart monitor portion 12 removed from the main console 14. The heart monitor is preferably a battery powered, self-contained unit which nests in compartment 16 of the main console. Once removed from the compartment 16 the monitor, since it can be battery powered, can provide a portable means for monitoring a patient's heart thus facilitating diagnosis in remote locations. The defibrillator, likewise is battery operated and is of a construction which makes it, alone or in combination with the heart monitor, a highly portable device. The details of the electrical circuits which comprise each of the monitor and defibrillator portions are not the subjects of this invention and will not be discussed herein.

The monitor unit 12 once removed from the housing operates on its own self-contained battery unit. The batteries employed, typically, might be of the nickel-cadmium variety which are rechargeable and which can provide continuous operation for several hours. The defibrillator is preferably battery operated employing similar type batteries and having suitable capacity for permitting numerous energy discharges of suitable watt--second capacity.

FIG. 3 shows in schematic, functional form the configuration required to allow the monitor unit to operate on its own power supply when removed from the monitor-defibrillator combination and then to operate on its own supply when it is replaced in its compartment 16 within the console 14.

The batteries 18 and 20 internal to the monitor unit each have one terminal thereof 22 and 24 respectively, connected to common or ground potential 26. Their respecive "high" sides, 28 and 30, are connected to corresponding poles a and b of a double pole-double throw switch 32 which is shown schematically as separate units but which in fact is one switch.

Referring to FIG. 4, switch 32 preferably a spring loaded, button type is positioned on the back panel 35 of the monitor unit. The button, 31, protrudes outwardly therefrom so that when the unit 12 is positioned into the compartment 16, the button is depressed into the body of the monitor unit. The switch in the depressed state is shown in FIG. 3, i.e., the wipers 33 a and b are connected to the open contacts 32 c and d. When the unit 12 is removed from the compartment, the spring action of the switch extends the button and draws the wipers to the normally closed contacts 32 e and f.

In addition, the respective high sides of each of the batteries are electrically connected to terminals 34 a and b on the female portion 34 of an interface connector. The female portion 34, of the connector is mounted on the back panel 35 of the monitor unit 12. The corresponding male portion 36 is mounted on the rear wall of the compartment 16 such that it engages the female portion when the monitor unit 12 is positioned into the compartment 16.

Contacts c and d of switch 32 do not have electrical leads connected thereto and are thus considered as the "open" positions. Contacts e and f are connected to female connector contacts 34 c and d respectively. Additionally the latter two contacts, since they carry the power supplied by batteries 18 and 20, are connected to the remaining electrical circuits within the monitor unit shown functionally by "black box" 37.

As noted earlier, positioned on the back wall of compartment 16 is a male connector 36 which is located so as to mate with the female connector 34 when the monitor unit is positioned in the console. Contacts 36 a and b, which mate with female contacts 34 a and b are connected to the poles a and b of a second switch 38 mounted on the front panel of the console 14. This is a double pole triple throw switch, shown schematically as implementing two separate functions.

Switch 38 has an "off" position, c and d; a "Monitor Only" position, e and g and an "ON" position, f and h. Switch contacts e and f are electrically connected to each other and to male connector contact 36c, while switch contacts g and h are connected to each other and to male connector contact 36d.

Operation

When the monitor unit 42 is inserted in the compartment 16 such that the female and male portions 34 and 36, of the connector are mated, again, button 31 of switch 32 positioned on the back panel of the monitor unit contacts the back end of the compartment such that it is depressed. With the switch button depressed as noted earlier the switch wiper arms 33a and 33b are positioned as shown in FIG. 3, i.e., connected to the open contacts c and d.

With the switch in this position, the only path by which electrical power supplied by batteries 18 and 20 can reach the monitor circuits 37 is via the electrical connections to the female connector 34, through the interface connector 34-36, then via the connections to the console switch. With the console switch 38 in the "OFF" position power would be interrupted to the monitor unit. By positioning the console switch in either the Monitor Only position or the ON position power is distributed by switch 38 to the leads returning to the interface connector from where it is then routed to the monitor circuits 37.

Switch 38 has two ON positions as far as the monitor unit is concerned. The reason for the redundancy is that switch 38 can contain a third pole-contact set (not shown) which would be used to supply power to the defibrillator circuits. This third set would be wired such that only when the switch 38 is in the ON position would power be supplied to the defibrillator circuits. The Monitor Only position allows the monitor unit to be used alone while placed in the console.

When the monitor unit is removed from the monitor-defibrillator console, the button which has been depressed because of the close proximity between the back panel 35 of the monitor and the corresponding wall of the compartment, is no longer depressed with wipers 33a and b, because of the switch spring action, returning to contacts e and f. Now the monitor batteries are connected through switch 32 to the various circuits 37 providing suitable operation of the monitor unit as a separate instrument.

It is to be appreciated that changes in the above embodiment can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable unit including heart monitor and heart defibrillator portions which comprises:

a. a removable heart-monitoring portion having a self-contained power supply, said monitoring portion capable of monitoring a patient's heart, while positioned in said unit or removed therefrom;

b. first switch means for interrupting the flow of electric power between said power supply and electrical circuits within said monitor portion when said monitoring portion is positioned in said unit;

c. second switch means within said defibrillator; and

d. means for electrically connecting said power supply and said electrical circuits within said monitoring portion to said second switch means, said second switch means operable to connect said power supply to said electrical circuits.

2. The unit of claim 1 where said first switch means is automatic and is operable when said monitoring portion is positioned in said unit.

3. The unit of claim 2 where said first switch means is a spring loaded, button type switch.

4. The unit of claim 1 where said second switch means includes a first and second ON position, where said first ON position allows only said monitor unit to have said electric power supplied thereto.

5. The unit of claim 1 where said heart-defibrillator portion has its own self-contained power supply for energizing said defibrillator portion with or without said heart monitor portion removed.

6. The unit of claim 5 where both of said power supplies are batteries and rechargeable.

7. The unit of claim 1 where said power supply is a battery and is rechargeable.