The Vectraplex Mobile Monitoring System will be the first mobile system to incorporate a cell phone that transmits data to a doctor to view a derived 15 lead ECG. Used in cases where ultra-portability is required, the device can be programmed to send data at predetermined events, times, or patient’s request. For the first time, a derived 15 lead ECG can be printed prior to the patient’s arrival.

Context

The Vectraplex Mobile Monitoring System utilized the algorithm technology and beat detection that BCA designed for VectraCor’s earlier product, the Vectraplex ECG System with AMI. For this new mobile system, BCA designed electronics for the device including a cellular module, firmware based on BCA’s custom operating kernel, and a PC application to review the captured data and create reports.

Solution

The design of all medical products needs to be carefully considered to prevent faults and risks. In the case of this mobile system worn by the patient outside of the hospital or doctor’s office special considerations needed to be made.

To extend battery life, the cell modem was put into reduced power states, namely, airplane mode (i.e.’ wireless transmission disabled) and off, when not needed. Similarly, the display was put into a lower power state (i.e., backlight disabled) when not in use. By design we also limit the activity on the screen so that we are not constantly drawing lead graphs, but rather only updating a small portion of the screen dynamically (when heart rate or CEB value changes.)

The user interface of the handheld needed to be very simple to use for patients. Not adding any additional stress to patients who were potentially ill meant creating a user interface that on the patient side consisted of two screens. The main screen shows the device status and essential information. To send an alert with ECG data sample the patient only has to press a single button. After pressing the alert button a screen of possible symptoms that can be selected by the patient comes up. Regardless if the patient was able to select symptoms and press the alert button again the email would be sent to the doctor. This is a necessary feature for a device used by such a wide demographic of patients. The Vectraplex Mobile Monitoring System is currently undergoing regulatory approval in the United States and Europe.