Folder-type portable electrocardiogram monitor
A portable electrocardiogram monitor includes: an upper housing and a lower housing coupled to each other via a hinge; and a positive electrode formed on lateral sides of the upper and lower housings, which are disposed opposite sides centering on the hinge.
1. A portable electrocardiogram monitor comprising:
an upper housing and a lower housing coupled to each other; and
a single positive electrode formed on lateral sides of the upper and lower housings and formed as first and second electrode portions which are electrically connected with each other in each of a folded state and an extended state of the upper and lower housings,
wherein the upper and lower housings unfold into the extended state, and the first and second electrode portions face each other in the extended state at a central region of the monitor, and
wherein the upper and lower housings fold into the folded state, with the first and second electrode portions juxtaposed with each other and lying in the same plane on one side of the upper and lower housings in the folded state to present the single positive electrode with a substantially continuous surface area comprising the first and second electrode portions.
2. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a display formed on an upper side of the upper housing; and
a monitor button formed on a part of the upper side of the upper housing.
3. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first electrode portion of the positive electrode is formed on the lateral side of the upper housing and the second electrode portion of the positive electrode is formed on the lateral side of the lower housing, and wherein the first and second portions of the positive electrode are electrically connected with each other through a hinge for coupling the upper and lower housings to each other.
4. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the hinge comprises a conductive material.
5. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed on claim 1 , wherein the positive electrode comprises stainless steel, brass or copper.
6. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the image display comprises an organic liquid crystal display.
7. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a surface of the positive electrode is embossed or formed with grooves.
8. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a wireless communication means; and
a monitor button formed on a part of an upper side of the upper housing.
9. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the monitor button comprises a conductive material.
10. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the hinge operates to fold the upper housing and the lower housing into the folded state such that the positive electrode is substantially exposed.
11. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the hinge operates to unfold the upper housing and the lower housing into the extended state such that the positive electrode is substantially hidden.
12. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the upper housing and the lower housing are substantially flush in the folded state of the upper and lower housings.
13. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the positive electrode in the folded state has an area corresponding to a multiple of the cross-sectional area of the electrocardiogram monitor in the extended state of the monitor in the unfolded state of the upper and lower housings.
14. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the positive electrode has a surface area substantially corresponding to two times the cross-sectional thickness of the electrocardiogram monitor in the folded state of the upper and lower housings.
15. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the lateral sides of the upper and lower housings are opposite sides centering on the hinge, so that the first and second electrode portions are positioned directly opposed to each other and in two parallel planes when the upper and lower housings are unfolded, and the first and second electrode portions are positioned adjacent one another and in substantially a single plane when the upper and lower housings are folded.
16. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 15 , where during the folded state of the monitor the hinge causes the positive electrode to be exposed and the portable electrocardiogram monitor operable to provide an electrocardiogram measurement, and during the extended state of the monitor, the hinge causes the positive electrode to not be exposed, and the portable electrocardiogram monitor inoperable to provide an electrocardiogram measurement.
17. The portable electrocardiogram monitor as claimed in claim 15 , where a ground electrode is disposed on a lateral side of at least one of said upper and lower housings which is directly opposite the lateral sides on which said positive electrode is disposed.