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HIC-2000 Product Information

Front View of the HIC-2000 Bioelectric Impedance Cardiograph

DESCRIPTION:

The HIC-2000 is a noninvasive instrument for detecting and monitoring bioelectric impedance cardiography signals from human subjects. The HIC-2000 is produced by Bio-Impedance Technology, Inc. and uses modern state-of-the-art electronic materials and techniques. The signal and operational specifications are very similar to the "older generation" Minnesota Impedance Cardiograph (Model 304B) instrument, except that the subject excitation current has been reduced by half (2 mA rms) and the Zo output signal is 0.5v/10 ohms instead of 1v/10 ohms. The reduced Zo output voltage results from the instrument's circuitry operating at a greatly reduced voltage of +/- 5 volts. However, the Zo signal output level is more that adequate for any type of external computer signal processing or strip chart application. The output signals and connectors are completely compatible with the COP_WIN cardiac output acquisition and analysis software system available from Bio-Impedance Technology, Inc. The HIC-2000 electronics are housed in a rugged, but attractive, compact steel enclosure with easy-to-use pushbutton controls and computer-driven display. The color of the instrument is light blue with almond- colored front and rear panels. An embedded computer monitors and controls the various functions and operational modes of the instrument. The user can adjust the instrument's sensitivity for both the ECG and Heart Sound signals in order to accommodate the differences in these signals between subjects.

The instrument comes with a 10 ft. 4-lead shielded impedance cable assembly terminated with 4 alligator clips at one end (for use with band electrodes) and a 9-pin connector on the other end which mates with the HIC-2000:

HIC System

An optional separate external ECG cable with three plug-in leads can also be ordered for use with the HIC-2000 in order to achieve greater ECG electrode placement flexibility (see accessories section). The ECG cable consists of a single cable with a 5-pin circular connector on one end, and a receptacle, on the other end, which accepts the three ECG electrode lead wires with clips for use with disposable electrodes.

ECG Cable

All signal input and control circuitry which handles the electrode signals is optically and/or transformer isolated from the rest of the electronic circuitry powered by the system's power supply for subject/patient safety. There is no direct connection of the subject electrodes to either the enclosure or the power supply of the instrument.

TYPICAL HIC-2000 WAVEFORMS:

Sample HIC Waveform
Example of digitized ECG and dZ/dt waveforms from the HIC-2000


HIC-2000 FEATURES:

  • Modern electronic circuitry housed in a rugged compact well-shielded steel enclosure.
  • External table-top medical-grade UL and CSA approved power supply for reduced 60 Hz noise in the impedance signals.
  • Low-power and low-voltage (+/- 5 volts) operation.
  • Embedded microcomputer (Y2K compliant) that monitors impedance signals, controls instrument operation, and displays status information.· Bright blue-green gas-discharge display indicating mode of operation and impedance signal values.
  • Complete electrical isolation of all electrode signals by employing optical and transformer isolation for subject/patient safety.
  • Manually-adjustable sensitivity (gain) controls, located on the front-panel, for both ECG and Heart Sound signals.
  • Push-button operation for power on/off, internal/external ECG electrode selection, and modes of operation selection.· Easy pushbutton selection of all operational modes.

INSTRUMENT CONTROLS:

All of the instrument's controls are located on the front panel of the HIC-2000. Two RED latching pushbutton switches are use for power on/off control and selection of either internal or external ECG electrodes respectively. The internal ECG signal position uses the impedance electrodes to detect the ECG signal, while the external position connects an optional external ECG electrode cable assembly to the HIC-2000's isolated ECG circuitry.

Additionally, there is a row of four gray momentary pushbutton switches that permit the user to select the different modes of operation in the HIC-2000. These gray pushbuttons are monitored by the embedded computer, and when pressed by the operator, cause the computer to setup the instrument's circuitry for the desired operation and functions.

There are also two single-turn rotary gain controls located in the center of the front panel that permit the operator to adjust the sensitivity of both the ECG signal and the Heart Sound signal.

INPUT & OUTPUT CONNECTIONS:

The HIC-2000 has three input connectors located on the front panel, one for the impedance electrode cable assembly, one for an external ECG electrode cable connection, and one for the connection of a Heart Sound microphone. The impedance electrode connector is a 9-pin (DB-9) female connector with jack-screw receptacles for securing the mating impedance electrode cable connector. Four of the nine pins are used for the connections of the four impedance electrodes (2 current and 2 voltage). The remaining five pins are used for electrode shield-drive connections.

The ECG front-panel connector is a circular 5-pin connector that is used when a separate external ECG electrode cable (optional accessory) is employed. The third front panel connector is a 1/8" miniature phone jack intended for use with a Heart Sound microphone. Most heart sound microphone cables will either require an adapter to convert to a 1/8" phone plug, or the cable will have to be modified to accommodate such a plug.

The HIC-2000 rear panel contains five BNC female connectors corresponding to each of the five output signals (ECG, Zo, dZ/dt, Delta Z, and Heart Sounds) produced by the instrument. There is also a 5-pin DIN female power connector located on the lower right corner of the rear panel for connection of the instrument's external medical-grade power supply.

APPLICATIONS:

The HIC-2000 impedance cardiograph is primarily intended for impedance cardiography applications involving the assessment of stroke volume and cardiac output and associated cardiac performance parameters. It is designed for use with human subjects where the total thoracic bioelectric impedance at 100 KHz falls within the range or 5 ohms to 80 ohms. The instrument can also be used for other monitoring applications involving the use of impedance cardiography methodology, such as the monitoring of pulmonary congestion, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, and numerous indices related to cardiac dynamics.

HIC-2000 SPECIFICATIONS:

    Instrument Dimensions 9.25"W x 4.0"H x 7.5"D
    Vacuum Fluorescent Display Area 70.8 mm x 11.5 mm
    Circuitry Operating Voltage +/- 5 Volts
    A.C. Power Requirements for Power Supply 120 VAC 60 Hz @ 0.23 A (Standard USA 3-prong outlet)
    Power Consumption 23.0 W. max.
    Constant Current Waveform Sine Wave
    Constant Current Oscillator Frequency 100 Khz
    Isolated Subject Excitation Current (Leads 1 & 4) 2.0 mA rms
    Subject Isolation Voltage 3 KV
    Imped. Detector Amplifier diff.input impedance 1 Meg. (500 K x 2)
    Zo Signal Linear Range 1 to 70.7 ohms
    Zo Signal Output Voltage Resolution 0.5 V/10 ohms (.05v/Ohm)
    dZ/dt Signal Output Resolution 0.5v/ohm/sec.
    ECG Sensitivity 500 uV for Full Scale Out
    ECG Maximum Output 5.0 Volts peak
    Heart Sound Maximum Sig. Out +/- 5.0 Volts peak
    Delta Z Maximum Sig. Out +/- 5.0 Volts peak
    Delta Z Ranges +/- 10 ohms or +/- 50 ohms
    Output Impedance (all BNC outputs)100 ohms

WARRANTY:

The HIC-2000 Bioelectric Impedance Cardiograph is warranted by Bio-Impedance Technology, Inc. (BIT) for a period of one year from the date of delivery for both parts and labor. The customer must first contact Instrumentation For Medicine, Inc. (IFM) regarding any problems or service needs, and to arrange for shipping to BIT. The customer must pay the shipping to BIT for repair during the warranty period. BIT will pay the cost of return shipping during the warranty period. Following the warranty period, the customer must pay for both the parts and labor and the shipping in both directions.

The HIC-2000 employs high-quality electronic components and rugged materials, and is designed to give long, reliable service.


HIC-2000 ACCESSORIES:
    Separate External 3-Electrode ECG Cable Assembly with 5-pin circular connector: Part No. HIC2000ECG3

    Extra 10 ft. 4-Lead Impedance Electrode Cable Assembly: Part No. HIC2000ZC10

    Extra 15 ft. 4-Lead Impedance Electrode Cable Assembly: Part No. HIC2000ZC15

    Extra 20 ft. 4-Lead Impedance Electrode Cable Assembly: Part No. HIC2000ZC20

    Extra Set of 4, 10 ft. BNC to BNC output cables: Part No. HIC2000BNC10

For pricing and ordering information contact:
    Instrumentation For Medicine, Inc.
    31 Mac Arthur Drive
    Old Greenwich, Conn. 06870
    Phone: (203) 637-8377

    Email: IFM150@aol.com
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