Device for monitoring and treating bradyarrhythmia

Abstract

A device and method for monitoring a human heart rate to determine whether a bradyarrhythmia event has occurred and if so determined, an electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm strip is begun to be generated on a continuous basis in real-time and wirelessly communicated to a third party such as the patient's treating physician. The method comprises a pair of sensors for detecting heart rate, each sensor in contact with a respective ear of the patient. If a bradyarrhythmia event is determined; applying an anticholinergic medication to the conjunctiva of at least one eye and releasing ammonia vapor for inhalation by the patient.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a patient's heart rate and dispensing an anticholinergic medication onto the conjunctiva of at least one eye in response to a bradyarrhythmia event comprising the steps of: monitoring the patient's heart rate using a pair of sensors, each sensor in contact with a respective ear of the patient to determine an occurrence of the bradyarrhythmia event; the pair of sensors in operative contact with a medication dispenser for delivery of the anticholinergic medication to the conjunctiva of the at least one eye and, if a bradyarrhythmia event has occurred, dispensing the anticholinergic medication to the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating a real-time ECG rhythm strip and wirelessly communicating to a third party on a continuous basis.

3. The method of claim 1 in which an ECG rhythm strip is wirelessly communicated first to a smartphone that thereafter wirelessly communicates the ECG rhythm strip to a third party.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of releasing ammonia vapor after the bradyarrhythmia event.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of generating a real-time ECG rhythm strip and wirelessly communicating to a third party on a continuous basis.

6. A device for monitoring a patient's heart rate and dispensing the medication onto the conjunctiva of at least one eye comprising: an eyeglass frame having a bridge; a pair of sensors; a module connected to the eyeglass frame comprising: an input for operable connections to each sensor; an ammonia inhalant; an alert mechanism selected from the group consisting of audible, vibration or both; and, a transmitter for wireless communication; and, a spray mechanism attached upon the bridge of the frame having a reservoir for containing a predetermined amount of the anticholinergic medication; the spray mechanism having at least one nozzle for discharging the anticholinergic medication.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the anticholinergic medication is Atropine.

8. The device of claim 6 further comprising wires for operable connection of the sensors to the module.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the transmitter is for communication with a handheld unit.

10. A method for monitoring a patient's heart rate and dispensing a medication onto the conjunctiva of at least one eye in response to a bradyarrhythmia event comprising the steps of: monitoring the patient's heart rate to determine an occurrence of the bradyarrhythmia event; and, if a bradyarrhythmia event has occurred, generating a real-time ECG rhythm strip and thereafter, wirelessly communicating to a third party on a continuous basis during which dispensing the medication onto the conjunctiva of the at least one eye.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of releasing ammonia vapor.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device.

(2) FIG. 2 is a close up view of the module illustrated in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a close up view of the bridge portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is an alternate close up view of the bridge portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a view of a sensor wired to the module and attached to an earlobe of a patient.

(6) FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment in which a wireless sensor is attached to an earlobe of a patient.

(7) FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) The figures presented herein are for illustrative purposes and the illustrated parts are not necessarily shown in correct proportion or scale.

(9) The device and methodology described herein is specifically directed to patients who have undergone a TAVR procedure and have been discharged from the hospital. For these patients, the risk of experiencing a bradyarrhythmia event within weeks of hospital discharge is high.

(10) The release of ammonia vapor can be before, concurrently or subsequent to administration of the anticholinergic medication.

(11) The methodology can be implemented by device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 that is wirelessly linked to a smartphone or similar device (not shown). Device 10 comprises an eyeglass frame 100 having a sprayer 200 and a module 300.

(12) Sprayer 200 includes a reservoir (not shown) for storage of an anticholinergic medication such as Atropine. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, sprayer 200 includes a removable cap 202 for refilling the reservoir and a snap-on recess 203. Sprayer 200 can be designed to fit on the bridge of eyeglass frame 100 with recess 203 ensuring a secure attachment. Sprayer 200 includes a pair of nozzles 201 as best shown in FIG. 4. These nozzles discharge the medication from sprayer 200 to the conjunctiva of the patient.

(13) Module 300 is best illustrated in FIG. 2 and comprises wires 301 and 401 for operative connection to respective PPG sensors 400. Wire 305 operably connects module 300 to sprayer 200. Module 300 further comprises a charging terminal 302 for charging an internal battery (not shown), an audio speaker and a vibration unit (not shown), a transmitter/receiver (not shown) for wireless communication of information detected by sensors 400 to a hand held unit or smartphone (not shown). Module 300 further includes a snap-on recess 304 to securely attach Module 300 to eyeglass frame 100.

(14) In order for device 10 to be worn while the patient sleeps, a band (not shown) connected on either end to respective temples of frame 100 is used to maintain the positioning of device 10 to the patient's head. PPG sensors 400 contact respective earlobes of a patient shown as part of human head 500 in FIG. 5.

(15) In an alternative embodiment, wired PPG sensors 400, and wires 301, 401 are replaced with wireless sensors 400a as illustrated in FIG. 6.

(16) One example of use of the method is using wireless sensors 400a utilized for communication with a smartphone. FIG. 7 is a flowchart indicating the methodology. A patient will have his heart rate monitored 1000 by wireless sensors 400a wirelessly transmitted to an app on the smartphone. The app will determine if the monitored heart rate is below 40 beats per minute 2000. If no, the app will next determine if at least a three second pause was measured between consecutive heart beats 3000. If no, the process returns to monitoring heart rate step 1000. If yes to either step 2000 or 3000, a bradyarrhythmia event will be determined to have occurred and the app will begin to generate an ECG rhythm strip in real-time 4000 and transmit a signal to module 300 to administer medication 5000. Module 300 would activate sprayer 200 to release the anticholinergic medication thru nozzles 201 within 10 seconds as well as the release of ammonia vapor from ports 303 of module 300. The smartphone will wirelessly transmit the ECG rhythm strip on a continuous basis for a period of time to a third party such as the patient's treating physician or other medical staff 6000. The period of time would be a sufficient length of time for the third party to evaluate the data transmitted. Module 300 is also equipped with a speaker and vibration device (not shown) for alerting the patient, particularly if asleep.