Electrocardiograph bioelectric interface system and method of use

Abstract

A bioelectric interface is disclosed which provides three Einthoven triangle equivalent lead forming electrodes positioned on a subject's chest so as to provide a Wilson common terminal voltage essentially equivalent to that provided by an Einthoven triangle formed using leads positioned conventionally on a subject's limbs. Wilson common terminal forming resistors can be of fixed values or variable to allow adjustment of a produced Wilson common terminal voltage. Additional precordial electrodes are also typiclaly present. Electrodes can consist of single elements or groups of electrode elements, and are present in locational regions of the bioelectric interface which allow a single size system to fit to patients with various sized bodies. The electrodes can be of various physical shapes to allow not only direct signal measurement, but also to allow monitoring of high frequency content of signals and to allow enhanced resolution of a region from which measured signals originate. In addition, the present invention bioelectric interface is preferably held in place on a subject's chest with hydropolymer, and need not be removed to allow cardio-pulmonary-resuscitation, defibrillation, cardiac pacing, electro surgery, electro ablation or impedance cardiography to be performed, and it serves to preserve the relative spatial integrity of the positioning of the electrodes present during use. The presence of a number of spatially separated electrocardiogram system electrodes facilitates reduction of the adverse electrode edge effects when defibrillation is performed through the bioelectric interface.