How Does an EKG Machine Work?
The medical term for an EKG machine is electrocardiogram. It is designed to measure the electrical function of the heart to show a physician what kind of health the heart is in. The cells that are designated to make the heart beat create the sinoatrial node near the right ventricle. The job of this node is to send an impulse to the heart instructing it to beat. This machine is used in emergency rooms and hospital facilities all over the world. Being that this is an external monitoring system, medical compliance in the US, Canada and the UK varies.
Reasons to Use an EKG:
· Fast heartbeats
· Lack of blood flow to the heart
· Weak pulses
· Find a thick heart
· Early detection of heart defects
· Heart valve disease detection
· Pericarditis diagnosis
Machine Makeup
A system of electrodes, connecting leads, a transmission device, a storage center and an amplifier are the main components to an EKG machine. The machines used to be composed of several small transformers to create one device in a single housing. Medical and electronic technology has advanced to include LED readers, real-time viewers and unipolar/bi-polar leads. Bipolar electrodes are placed on the legs, left wrist and right wrist. Unipolar electrodes are placed on the arms, legs and chest areas. Sometimes plate electrodes are used and these are made of stainless steel to prevent allergic reactions.
Additional parts required for an EKG machine:
· Optic isolators
· Magnetic taping units
· Chip boards
· Woven silver
· Solder
· Paper printer
· Silver chloride electrodes
· Silver electrodes
· Output devices
Many of the actual parts are kept classified to prevent home scientists from creating a device for their own personal use. This ensures that each device meets compliance standards for use on patients where saving lives is crucial.
History
The first EKG machines were called galvanometers. These came about in the 1700s, although an exact year or date is not available in regards to actual medical usage. Although this contraption could detect an electronic pulsation, it could not measure strength or send a wavelength report to a physician. Physicians had to continue to listen to the heart or feel for pulsations manually.
In the early 1800s a few developments were made to the original galvanometer. This created a sensory capillary electrometer was added to the original machine to increase sensitivity. With this machine, physicians were actually able to feel or detect a true heartbeat. It took away the need to put electrodes on the body as the machine could produce a reading that was recorded externally.
By the early 1900s up to 1914, further advancements were tested, scientifically produced and proved to be more accurate by leaps and bounds. Essentially what happened was that a scientist by the name of Einthoven, took the two previously made machines by Augustus De'sire' Waller, and combined them together. This, in turn, was called the electrocardiogram. This machine was mostly used in Germany. In 1914 is when it came to be used in America. Since then, further developments to make the machines more technologically advanced and modern have taken place. This is to stay in-tune with technology and the needs of patients in emergency situations.
Compliance Regulations
The medical compliance standards for EKG machines are rather universal. Medical compliance in the UK and medical compliance in Canada follow the same basic guidelines as the United States. In regards to medical compliance in the US, the device must be shown to be accurate in its readings. The readings must also be shown and recorded in real time. This means that the EKG machine must print as it reads. The device must also be calibrated so that it will not send a shock to the patient and must contain only regulatory parts. No hybrid parts may be included in the machine. The leads cannot have material that contains latex.
EKG Machine Manufacturers maintaining pharmaceutical compliance standards:
· General Electric
· Hewlett Packard
· Mortara
· Philips
· QRS
· Ritter
· Schiller
· Cardioline
· Burdick
· Bionet
· Brentwood Midmark
The EKG machine is a medical device that helps to save lives. It is one of the earliest detection machines to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Some heart specialists have an EKG machine in their office. Before technology was available, electrode leads were used to find activity. The device must be inspected for pharmaceutical compliance to ensure that it will not cause a burn or electrocution to a patient. The machine must also be tested for functionality, updated and re-calibrated from time-to-time.
Reasons to Use an EKG:
· Fast heartbeats
· Lack of blood flow to the heart
· Weak pulses
· Find a thick heart
· Early detection of heart defects
· Heart valve disease detection
· Pericarditis diagnosis
Machine Makeup
A system of electrodes, connecting leads, a transmission device, a storage center and an amplifier are the main components to an EKG machine. The machines used to be composed of several small transformers to create one device in a single housing. Medical and electronic technology has advanced to include LED readers, real-time viewers and unipolar/bi-polar leads. Bipolar electrodes are placed on the legs, left wrist and right wrist. Unipolar electrodes are placed on the arms, legs and chest areas. Sometimes plate electrodes are used and these are made of stainless steel to prevent allergic reactions.
Additional parts required for an EKG machine:
· Optic isolators
· Magnetic taping units
· Chip boards
· Woven silver
· Solder
· Paper printer
· Silver chloride electrodes
· Silver electrodes
· Output devices
Many of the actual parts are kept classified to prevent home scientists from creating a device for their own personal use. This ensures that each device meets compliance standards for use on patients where saving lives is crucial.
History
The first EKG machines were called galvanometers. These came about in the 1700s, although an exact year or date is not available in regards to actual medical usage. Although this contraption could detect an electronic pulsation, it could not measure strength or send a wavelength report to a physician. Physicians had to continue to listen to the heart or feel for pulsations manually.
In the early 1800s a few developments were made to the original galvanometer. This created a sensory capillary electrometer was added to the original machine to increase sensitivity. With this machine, physicians were actually able to feel or detect a true heartbeat. It took away the need to put electrodes on the body as the machine could produce a reading that was recorded externally.
By the early 1900s up to 1914, further advancements were tested, scientifically produced and proved to be more accurate by leaps and bounds. Essentially what happened was that a scientist by the name of Einthoven, took the two previously made machines by Augustus De'sire' Waller, and combined them together. This, in turn, was called the electrocardiogram. This machine was mostly used in Germany. In 1914 is when it came to be used in America. Since then, further developments to make the machines more technologically advanced and modern have taken place. This is to stay in-tune with technology and the needs of patients in emergency situations.
Compliance Regulations
The medical compliance standards for EKG machines are rather universal. Medical compliance in the UK and medical compliance in Canada follow the same basic guidelines as the United States. In regards to medical compliance in the US, the device must be shown to be accurate in its readings. The readings must also be shown and recorded in real time. This means that the EKG machine must print as it reads. The device must also be calibrated so that it will not send a shock to the patient and must contain only regulatory parts. No hybrid parts may be included in the machine. The leads cannot have material that contains latex.
EKG Machine Manufacturers maintaining pharmaceutical compliance standards:
· General Electric
· Hewlett Packard
· Mortara
· Philips
· QRS
· Ritter
· Schiller
· Cardioline
· Burdick
· Bionet
· Brentwood Midmark
The EKG machine is a medical device that helps to save lives. It is one of the earliest detection machines to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Some heart specialists have an EKG machine in their office. Before technology was available, electrode leads were used to find activity. The device must be inspected for pharmaceutical compliance to ensure that it will not cause a burn or electrocution to a patient. The machine must also be tested for functionality, updated and re-calibrated from time-to-time.