DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE TOMOGRAPH

Abstract

A connection unit (1) connects an impedance tomograph (3) electrically to first and second skin electrodes (6, 8). The skin electrodes (6, 8) are arranged on an electrode carrier (4) spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction L. First and second opposite contact devices (24, 26) are arranged on the electrode carrier (4) and are respectively connected to associated electrodes (6, 8). First and second contact devices (16, 18) are configured for respective detachable connection to the associated first and second opposite contact devices (24, 26). Each contact device (16, 18) has an electric protective circuit (10, 12). A system is provided for an electrical impedance tomograph (3), which system has the connection unit (1).

Claims

1. A connection unit with which an impedance tomograph can be electrically connected to a first skin electrode and a second skin electrode of an electrode carrier, wherein the skin electrodes are arranged on the electrode carrier at mutually spaced locations from one another in a carrier longitudinal direction, a first opposite contact device is arranged on the electrode carrier and is connected to the first skin electrode, a second opposite contact device is arranged on the electrode carrier and is connected to the second skin electrode, the connection unit comprising: a first contact device configured to be detachably connected to the first opposite contact device; and a second contact device configured to be detachably connected to the second opposite contact device, wherein the first and second contact devices each have a respective electric protective circuit.

2. A connection unit in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an electrical line connection comprising a contact device end with connections to the first contact device and the second contact device and an impedance tomograph end configured to be connected to the impedance tomograph.

3. A connection unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein the electrical line connection and the contact devices form one unit.

4. A connection unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protective circuits each comprise a capacitor or passive components or both a capacitor and passive components.

5. A connection unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protective circuits each comprise electrical shielding.

6. A system for an electrical impedance tomograph, the system comprising: an electrode carrier comprising: a first skin electrode and a second skin electrode, which are arranged on the electrode carrier at mutually spaced locations from one another in a longitudinal direction of the electrode carrier a first opposite contact device arranged on the electrode carrier and connected to the first skin electrodes; and a second opposite contact device arranged on the electrode carrier and connected to the second skin electrode; and a connection unit comprising: a first contact device configured to be detachably connected to the first opposite contact device; and a second contact device configured to be detachably connected to the second opposite contact device, wherein the first and second contact devices each have a respective electric protective circuit.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein: the connection unit further comprises an electrical line connection comprising a contact device end with connections to the first contact device and the second contact device and an impedance tomograph end configured to be connected to the impedance tomograph; and the impedance tomograph is associated with the system and the impedance tomograph is electrically connected to the first and second skin electrodes by the electrical line connection.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein: the protective circuits are each a part of a multipart protective circuit unit; and additional parts of the protective circuit unit are integrated in the electrical line connection or are integrated in the skin electrodes or are integrated in the impedance tomograph or are integrated in any combination of the electrical line connection and the skin electrodes and the impedance tomograph.

9. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the electrical line connection and the contact devices form one unit.

10. A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the protective circuits each comprise a capacitor or passive components or both a capacitor and passive components.

11. A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the protective circuits each comprise electrical shielding.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the connection unit according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 schematically shows the connection unit 1 according to the present invention (box in broken lines) for an electrical impedance tomograph 3. The connection unit 1 comprises a first contact device 16 and a second contact device 18. The contact devices 16, 18 may be configured as devices that are separate from one another. As an alternative, provisions may be made for the contact device to be mechanically connected or coupled with one another in 16, 18.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows, in addition, an electrode carrier 4. It is preferably a so-called electrode belt. The electrode carrier 4 may consequently be placed like a belt around the body of a patient. To transmit the electrical signals necessary for the impedance tomography to the body or to pick up electrical signals, the first and second skin electrodes 6, 8 are arranged on the electrode carrier 4 at mutually spaced locations from one another in the longitudinal direction L of the electrode carrier 4. If the electrode carrier 4 is bent in a ring-shaped manner, the skin electrodes 6, 8 are arranged radially on the inner side. The skin electrodes 6, 8 will consequently come directly into contact with the patient's body and they can thus guarantee the transmission of the desired signals. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the skin electrodes 6, 8 can end continuously flush with an end face 14 of the electrode carrier 4. Thus, they form a common surface of the electrode carrier 4 or of the device 2.

[0035] On the side facing away from the end face 14 of the electrode carrier 4, each of the skin electrodes 6, 8 are connected to a respective opposite contact device 24, 26. Thus, the first skin electrode 6 is connected to the first opposite contact device 24, which is arranged on the rear side of the electrode carrier 4. The second skin electrode 8 is connected to the second opposite contact device 26, which is likewise arranged on the rear side of the electrode carrier 4. The two opposite contact devices are configured each as a terminal element and protrude over the electrode carrier 4. The two opposite contact devices 24, 26 are located at spaced locations from one another in the longitudinal direction L of the electrode carrier 4. The contact devices 16, 18 can be connected to the opposite contact devices 24, 26 in an electrically and mechanically detachable manner. The contact devices 16, 18 may also be completely fastened mechanically to the opposite contact device 24, 26.

[0036] It may happen, in a situation that is critical for a patient, that the impedance tomograph 3 and a defibrillator are used simultaneously. High voltage pulses are emitted by the defibrillator. To prevent the voltage pulses emitted by the defibrillator from damaging or even destroying the impedance tomograph 3, provisions are made according to the present invention for the first contact device 16 to have an electrical protective circuit 10 and for the second contact device 18 to have an electrical protective circuit 12. A voltage pulse of the defibrillator, which is sent from a skin electrode 6, 8 to the corresponding contact device 16, 18, will then reach the corresponding protective circuit 10, 12, which prevents the high voltage pulse from being transmitted. The impedance tomograph 3 is consequently effectively protected against such voltage pulses.

[0037] An electrical line connection 32, i.e., preferably a bundle of electrical lines, is provided to establish an electrical connection between the contact devices 16, 18 and the impedance tomograph 3. The line connection 32 extends from a terminal of the impedance tomograph 3 to the first opposite contact device 24 and to the second opposite contact device 26. One end of the electrical line connection 32 therefore preferably has a multipart configuration. The electrical line connection 32 consequently has an end section, which is split into a plurality of electrical lines.

[0038] For a simple handling of the electrical line connection 32 and of the contact devices 16, 18, the electrical line connection and the contact devices 16, 18 form one unit. To connect the defibrillator 3 to the skin electrodes 6, 8, the aforementioned unit is connected with one end to the impedance tomograph 3 and with the other end, at which the first contact device 16 and the second contact device 18 are arranged, to the first opposite contact device 24 and to the second opposite contact device 26. A quick connection, especially a plug-type connection, is preferably formed between the first contact device 16 and the first opposite contact device 24. Thus, the opposite contact device 16 may have a first receptacle 20, into which the opposite contact device 24 can be plugged in order to subsequently establish the mechanical and/or electrical connection between the first contact device 16 and the first opposite contact device 24. The plug-type connection may also have a reversed configuration. Analogously to the first contact device 16, the second contact device 18 also has a second receptacle 22, into which the second opposite contact device 26 can be plugged in order to then establish the mechanical and/or electrical connection between the second contact device 18 and the second opposite contact device 26. A reversed plug-type connection is possible here as well.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows, in addition, that the first receptacle 20 of the first contact device 16 is electrically connected to the first protective circuit 10 and the first protective circuit 10 is, in turn, connected to a first preprocessing unit 28. The first preprocessing unit 28 is preferably associated with the first contact device 16. The first receptacle 20, the first protective circuit 10 and the first preprocessing unit 28 are consequently connected electrically in series and are preferably enclosed by the first contact device 16. The preprocessing unit 28 may be configured as a processing unit for electric signals, for example, as a data processing unit, as a measuring analysis unit or the like. As an alternative, the preprocessing unit 28 may be configured as a signal-amplifying unit. The preprocessing unit 28 has active electrical components for both alternatives. Based on the above-mentioned series connection, the first protective circuit 10 already protects the active components of the first contact device 16. The first preprocessing unit 28 is joined by the electrical line connection 32 in order to connect the first contact device 16 to the impedance tomograph 3. Just like the first preprocessing unit 28 as well, the impedance tomograph 3 with its active electrical components is also protected by the first protective circuit 10.

[0040] The second contact device 18 is designed and/or configured analogously to the first contact device 16. Reference is therefore analogously made to the above explanations for the second contact device 18. Thus, the second contact device 18 has, for example, a series connection of a second receptacle 22, of the second protective circuit 12 and of a second preprocessing unit 30. The second preprocessing unit 30 is joined by the electrical line connection 32 to the impedance tomograph 3. Therefore, the analogous effects and/or advantages apply.

[0041] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.