A new type of electrode for electrocardiography

A NEW TYPE OF ELECTRODE

FOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY

SIDNEY SCHERLIS, M.D., AND DEXTER BALTIMORE, MD.

S. LEVY, M.D.

N THE electrocardiographic or cardioscopic examination of large numbers of patients in dispensary or hospital, considerable time is consumed in attaching and removing the electrodes. A new type of electrode, which has been devised in the outpatient department of the

I

Fig.

I.-Clips

as applied

to conventional

electrodes.

Johns Hopkins Hospital, may be applied and removed much more rapidly than the usual types. These electrodes are constructed by attaching ordinary bicycle clips to the conventional electrodes by means of a thin metal bridge, as shown in Fig. 1. The clip is so mounted as to permit limited motion of the electrode along the side. A round metal disc, about 13/ inches in diameter, is joined to the upper surface of the right arm electrode, thus making it unnecessary t,o disconnect the wire from the right arm electrode and to connect it again to a chest electrode for chest leads. The right arm electrode is easily slipped off the arm, and the metal disc is applied to the precordium; the reversal of current from left leg to chest is accomplished through the electrocardiograph itself. From the Cardiographic School. Received for publication

Laboratory, July

the

9, 1941.

424

Johns

Hopkins

Hospital

and

Medical

SCHERLIS

AND

LEVY:

ELECTRODE

FOR

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY

425

We have noted no appreciable increase in the tendency of the beam or string of the electrocardiograph to “float” because of the use of dissimilar metals. The electrodes may be used with either string or vacuum tube electrocardiographs. The electrodes, as described, fit most arms and legs. For patients with small, thin arms and legs, a small sponge rubber pad may be used under the bicycle clips to secure a firmer connection.