A diagnostic system for detection and monitoring of chest bioimpedance and determination of emergent chest conditions
Abstract
The invention relates to the system for detection and monitoring of chest bioimpedance that is suitable for the use in emergency medicine. The system is equipped with a computer program for evaluating the measurement and facilitating the differential diagnostics of some emergent chest conditions, such as pneumothorax with no overpressure, pneumothorax with overpressure, pulmonary embolism or cardiac tamponade.
The system includes a device for detecting and monitoring a chest bioimpedance signal comprising at least three application electrodes (AE) for applying chest currents and at least three sensing electrodes (SE) for sensing the tension on the chest, the generator (G) for generating alternating harmonic currents, the amplifier (Z) and the analogue-to-digital converters (A/D), the unit (EK) for sensing the electrocardiogram and the unit (SO) for heart sounds monitoring; and further it comprises the operational unit (DSP) for signal control, processing and analysis. The method for the subsequent processing of chest bioimpedance signals comprises the steps of generating, from the signals measured, the consequent diagnostically relevant signals, which is, on the basis of the predefined intervals of signal sizes, assigned to one of the clusters indicative for the normal or emergent chest condition. (RIV19) The patent is not yet used under a license agreement.
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