Abstract: This disclosure provides cascaded reference circuits and low amplitude signal sensing circuits that are useful in applications where high sensitivity, low noise measurements are needed. Such embodiments may be especially useful in health and fitness wearable devices. Systems incorporating the circuits, as well as methods for using these circuits to determine quantities and qualities of a person's moods, such as how much and what kinds of stress they experience. The provided devices are useful on limbs and appendages, such as in a smart watch that is worn on the wrist. Methods are provided for using the devices of this disclosure to privately alert wearers to an increase in bad stress in the moment when they can take actions to reduce their stress and physiological stress responses. These devices are useful for measuring and increasing the effectiveness of relaxation techniques.

Abstract: A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble is provided. At least one internal structure is formed within a garment and defined by two horizontal bands across a front surface of the garment. An electrode assembly is positioned within the internal structure and includes at least one electrode to sense cardiac electric signals. An electrical connection is connected on one end to one of the electrodes and interfaced on an other end to a monitor recorder that records the cardiac electric signals. The internal structure exerts against a top surface of the electrode assembly a compressive force that presses the electrode assembly against a wearer's skin.

Abstract: A system for secure physiological data acquisition and delivery is provided. The system includes a monitoring patch that includes a flexible backing; a pair of electrocardiographic electrodes included on a contact surface of each end of the flexible backing; a receptacle affixed to a non-contacting surface of the flexible backing and including an electro-mechanical docking interface for interfacing with a monitor recorder; a pair of flexible circuit traces affixed at each end of the flexible backing with each circuit trace connecting one of the electrocardiographic electrodes to the electro-mechanical docking interface; and a circuit operable to store an identifier associated with the patch and an encrypted password necessary to access physiological monitoring data obtained using the patch identified by that identifier, the circuit configured to provide via the electro-mechanical docking interface the password and the identifier to the monitor recorder.

Abstract: An extended wear electrocardiography and physiological sensor monitor is provided. An electrode patch includes an integrated flexible circuit having a single piece of material that includes a longitudinal midsection between upper and lower ends and a mirror image shape of the upper end extending from at least a portion of one side of the upper end that runs substantially parallel to the midsection and folds over the upper end. A receptacle is adhered on an outward surface of the mirror image when the integrated circuit is folded over the upper end. One electrode is positioned on a contact surface of the integrated circuit on the upper end and another electrode is positioned on the contact surface on the lower end. A battery is directly adhered to the outward surface of the mirror image and positioned under the receptacle. A monitor is configured to be removably secured in the receptacle.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed. A housing includes a hollow body forming a first electrode on an outer surface with end caps affixed to opposite ends, one end cap forming a second electrode. A microcontroller circuit is provided and includes a microcontroller operable under program instructions stored within a non-volatile memory device. An analog front end is interfaced to the electrodes to sense electrocardiographic signals. A transceiver circuit is operable to wirelessly communicate with an external data device. The program instructions define instructions to continuously sample the electrocardiographic signals into the non-volatile memory device and to offload the non-volatile memory device to the external data device. A diagnostic overread of the samples can be performed using medical diagnostic criteria and medical care initiated with one of pre-identified care providers based on the overread.

Abstract: An electrocardiography patch is provided. A backing forms an elongated strip with a mid-section connecting two ends of the backing. The mid-section is narrower than the two ends of the backing. An electrocardiographic electrode is provided on each end of the backing to capture electrocardiographic signals. A flexible circuit includes a pair of circuit traces electrically coupled to the electrocardiographic electrodes. A wireless transceiver communicates at least a portion of the electrocardiographic signals.

Abstract: An electrocardiography patch is provided. A backing includes an elongated strip with a midsection connecting two rounded ends. The midsection tapers in from each end and is narrower than each of the two ends. An electrode is positioned on each end of the backing on a contact surface to capture electrocardiographic signals. A circuit trace electrically is coupled to each of the electrodes in the pair. A battery is provided on an outer surface of the backing opposite the contact surface. Memory is provided on the outer surface of the backing to store data regarding the electrocardiographic signals. A processor is powered by the battery to write the data into the memory.

Abstract: A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble is provided. A first receptacle is defined in a wearable garment by two horizontal bands placed across the wearable garment. A second receptacle is defined by two further horizontal bands positioned across the wearable garment under the first receptacle. A first electrode assembly is positioned within the first receptacle and includes a backing with an electrical connection having an electrode on one end of the electrical connection and terminated at the other end of the electrical connection to connect with a monitor recorder. A second electrode assembly is positioned within the second receptacle and includes a backing with an electrical connection having an electrode on one end of the electrical connection and terminated at the other end of the electrical connection to connect with a further monitor recorder, wherein the first and second electrodes are aligned longitudinally in the wearable garment.

Abstract: A subcutaneous electrocardiography monitor configured for self-optimizing ECG data compression is provided. ECG waveform characteristics are rarely identical in patients with cardiac disease making this innovation crucial for the long-term data storage and analysis of complex cardiac rhythm disorders. The monitor includes a memory and a micro-controller operable to execute under a micro-programmable control and configured to: obtain a series of electrode voltage values; select one or more of a plurality of compression algorithms for compressing the electrode voltage series; apply one or more of the selected compression algorithms to the electrode voltage series; evaluate a degree of compression of the electrode voltage series achieved using the application of the selected algorithms; apply one or more of the compression algorithms to the compressed electrode voltage series upon the degree of compression not meeting a predefined threshold; and store the compressed electrode voltage series within the memory.

Abstract: An extended wear electrocardiography patch is provided. A flexible backing is formed of an elongated strip of stretchable material. An electrocardiographic electrode is affixed to and conductively exposed on a contact surface of each end of the elongated strip. A flexible circuit is affixed on each end of the elongated strip. A non-conductive receptacle is adhered on one of the ends of the elongated strip on a surface opposite the contact surface and removably receives an electrocardiography monitor operable to obtain electrocardiographic signals. A physiological sensor is provided with the electrocardiography monitor or on the flexible backing. Memory is provided on the flexible backing and is programmed with a sampling rate to instruct the physiological sensor to obtain readings of physiological data. A battery is positioned on one end of the flexible backing to provide power to one or more of the physiological sensors and the electrocardiography monitor.

Abstract: A remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch is provided. The remotely-interfaceable electrocardiography patch includes a backing formed of a strip of material and an electrocardiographic electrode on each end of the backing to capture electrocardiographic signals. A flexible circuit includes a pair of circuit traces electrically coupled to the electrocardiographic electrodes. A wireless transceiver communicates at least one of the electrocardiographic signals and other physiological measures with one or more of a physiology and activity sensor, communication device, server, and personal computer.

Abstract: A P-wave centric subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) for use in performing long term electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is disclosed. The length of the monitoring performed by the ICM is extended, potentially for a life time of the patient, and the functionality of the ICM is enhanced, by including an internal energy harvesting module in the ICM. The energy harvesting module harvests energy from outside the ICM, and provides the harvested energy for powering the circuitry of the ICM, either directly or by recharging a power cell within the ICM. As the circuitry of the ICM requires a low amount of electrical power, the harvested energy can be sufficient to support the functioning of the ICM even when the electrical power stored on the ICM at the time of implantation runs out.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed. A housing includes a hollow body forming a first electrode on an outer surface with end caps affixed to opposite ends, one end cap forming a second electrode. A microcontroller circuit is provided and includes a microcontroller operable under program instructions stored within a non-volatile memory device. An analog front end is interfaced to the electrodes to sense electrocardiographic signals. A transceiver circuit is operable to wirelessly communicate with an external data device. The program instructions define instructions to continuously sample the electrocardiographic signals into the non-volatile memory device and to offload the non-volatile memory device to the external data device. A receiving coil and a charging circuit are operable to charge an onboard power source for the microcontroller circuit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides cascaded reference circuits and low amplitude signal sensing circuits used to perform a Subsurface Spectrogram (SSG). The Subsurface Spectrogram can detect the conductive properties of skin and the underlying tissues. The conductive properties inform what electrolytes and moisture levels are present, which in turn can provide information about the physiological state of the mammal. The Subsurface Spectrogram uses an arbitrary waveform generator to provide a reference signal, the return signals are captured and compared to their original characteristics for changes in amplitude, phase and frequency. From these calculations insight into the amount of skin moisture and electrolyte configuration can be gained. Embodiments of such systems may be especially useful in health and fitness wearable devices where feedback on health and exercise can help mammals achieve an optimal workout, or help them to know when they are experiencing unhealthy stress levels.

Abstract: Long-term electrocardiographic and physiological monitoring over a period lasting up to several years in duration can be provided through a continuously-recording subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). The sensing circuitry and the physical layout of the electrodes are specifically optimized to capture electrical signals from the propagation of low amplitude, relatively low frequency content cardiac action potentials, particularly the P-waves that are generated during atrial activation. In general, the ICM is intended to be implanted centrally and positioned axially and slightly to either the left or right of the sternal midline in the parasternal region of the chest. Additionally, the ICM includes an ECG sensing circuit that measures raw cutaneous electrical signals and performs signal processing prior to outputting the processed signals for sampling and storage.

Abstract: An electrocardiography monitor configured for self-optimizing ECG data compression is provided. ECG waveform characteristics are rarely identical in patients with cardiac disease making this innovation crucial for the long-term data storage and analysis of complex cardiac rhythm disorders. The monitor includes a memory and a micro-controller operable to execute under a micro-programmable control and configured to: obtain a series of electrode voltage values; select one or more of a plurality of compression algorithms for compressing the electrode voltage series; apply one or more of the selected compression algorithms to the electrode voltage series; evaluate a degree of compression of the electrode voltage series achieved using the application of the selected algorithms; apply one or more of the compression algorithms to the compressed electrode voltage series upon the degree of compression not meeting a predefined threshold; and store the compressed electrode voltage series within the memory.

Abstract: An extended wear electrocardiography patch is provided. A flexible backing includes an elongated strip of stretchable material. An electrocardiographic electrode is respectively affixed to and conductively exposed on each end of the elongated strip. A flexible circuit is affixed on each end to the elongated strip and includes a pair of circuit traces each originating within one of the ends of the elongated strip and coupled to one of the electrocardiographic electrodes. A non-conductive receptacle securely adhered on the one end of the elongated strip and includes electrode terminals aligned to interface the pair of circuit traces to an electrocardiography monitor to obtain electrocardiographic signals through the electrocardiographic electrodes.

Abstract: Long-term electrocardiographic and physiological monitoring over a period lasting up to several years in duration can be provided through a continuously-recording insertable cardiac monitor. The sensing circuitry and the physical layout of the electrodes are specifically optimized to capture electrical signals from the propagation of low amplitude, relatively low frequency content cardiac action potentials, particularly the P-waves that are generated during atrial activation and storing samples of captured signals. In general, the ICM is intended to be implanted centrally and positioned axially and either over the sternum or slightly to either the left or right of the sternal midline in the parasternal region of the chest.

Abstract: A monitor recorder optimized for electrocardiography and respiratory data acquisition and processing is provided.

Abstract: Long-term electrocardiographic and physiological monitoring over a period lasting up to several years in duration can be provided through a continuously-recording subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). The sensing circuitry and the physical layout of the electrodes are specifically optimized to capture electrical signals from the propagation of low amplitude, relatively low frequency content cardiac action potentials, particularly the P-waves that are generated during atrial activation. In general, the ICM is intended to be implanted centrally and positioned axially and slightly to either the left or right of the sternal midline in the parasternal region of the chest. Additionally, the ICM includes an ECG sensing circuit that measures raw cutaneous electrical signals and performs signal processing prior to outputting the processed signals for sampling and storage.