Technique for reading heart and respiration rates is more accurate and direct than the previous method. Index of a plastic calibrated card is aligned with a point on the electrocardiogram. Complexes are counted as indicated on the card and heart or respiration rate is read directly from the appropriate scale

Wise, J. P.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

August 1969	 Brief 69-10188 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Direct Reading of Electrocardiograms and Respiration Rates 
Chart Speed Guide
2 
i	 c	 0l 
Nd2 033 33d5 
400 
300 
200 
50 
2 100-
90-
80-
70 - 
!?	 so-
53- 
—0 50-
-	 45-

-o 
.n	 40 
Respiration 	 35-
 Rate Index
Ci
30 
Second Index
Fig. 1. Scaled card 
The problem: 
To develop a fast, accurate method of reading 
heart and respiration rates. Formerly, the quick 
method of reading recorder traces of electrocardio-
grams and respiration rates consisted in analysis of 
a 10-second period and multiplication by six for a 
count; errors could result. 
The solution: 
A new technique enables quick direct reading of 
heart and respiration rates. The appropriate index 
of a calibrated card of transparent plastic, about 6
ECG Index
R-19 	 Respiration 
88 1 
Speed 	 Sternal ECG 
Axillary EGG 
Fig. 2. Card indicating 19 respiration's per minute 
inches long (Fig. 1), is aligned with a repetitive 
point on the electrocardiogram or respiration com-
plex. For recorder speeds of 10 and 25 mm/sec the 
number of complexes are counted as indicated on 
the card, and the heart or respiration rate is read 
directly from the appropriate scale (Fig. 2); for 
other recorder speeds, the number of complexes to be 
counted is determined by simple numerical conver-
sion (speed 5 mm/sec = 10 ECG, 2 ZPN). The 
readings yielded are accurate as well as immediate; 
they save much time in data analysis.
(continued overleul) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19690000188 2020-03-16T17:38:10+00:00Z
Also incorporated on the card is a second mdi- 	 Patent status: 
cator for aiding measurement of time intervals on 	 Inquiries about rights for commercial use of this 
the electrocardiogram complex at 25 mm/sec. Doc-
	 invention may be made to NASA, Code GP, Wash-
tors, hospitals
.
,'-and health authorities may be inter-	 ington, D C 20546 
ested.	 Source: J. P. Wise 
Note.:	 Kennedy Space Center 
No further documentation is available. Inquiries
	
(KSC-10233)
may be directed: 
Technology Utilization Officer	 .	 .	 . 
Kennedy Space. Center
	 . 
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 
Reference: B69-10188
0


Direct reading of electrocardiograms and respiration rates

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