Ivac Corporation

Camino Laboratories

Richard L Foreman

Wallace L Knute

Heinz W Georgi

A continuity detection method and apparatus for use in a system for monitoring a patient's EKG signal and estimating heartbeat rate. The continuity detection apparatus continuously monitors continuity between two EKG electrodes contacting the patient and inhibits the system from its measuring of heartbeat intervals whenever poor continuity is detected. This eliminates the effects on the system of any undetected heartbeats or heartbeat artifacts of the type caused by poor continuity, and thereby improves the accuracy of the system's heartbeat rate estimate.

Continuity detector for heartbeat rate measuring system

An improved method and apparatus for parenteral administration of medical fluids, wherein a normally shut-off intravenous feeding tube is selectively opened at a frequency and open period duration automatically regulated by a digital control system to establish a fluid flow rate at any selected rate over a wide dynamic range. Measured and desired flow rates are converted to digital electrical signals and compared, the electrical difference being used to vary a control voltage which establishes the width of energizing pulses controlling a member for opening the feeding tube. The frequency of the energizing pulses is preferably a non-integral multiple of the desired drop flow rate and varies from a very high ratio, e.g. 15.5, at very low flow rates to a much smaller ratio, e.g. 2.5, at very high flow rates.

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Lemon Grove, CA, United States of America

Richard L Foreman