Real-Time Contourography-An Improved Electrocardiographic Display

An extension of the contourography concept forms the basis for a new electrocardiographic (EKG) display system. The EKG is displayed in real time on the face of a variable-persistence cathoderay tube (CRT) in a contourographic format. This particular presentation emphasizes significant changes in the EKG from its established cyclic pattern. The continuous real-time contourogram facilitates on-line comparison of waveforms of successive EKG cycles, and allows instantaneous heart rate to be determined directly from a scale on the CRT face on a beat-by-beat basis. The simple controls and the straightforward nature of the display permit the real-time contourogram to be effectively monitored by qualified personnel without extensive training. Solid-state construction of the contourograph lends component stability, low cost, and high reliability to the entire system.