Instructions for Use

Detailed instructions

This chapter contains all the information required by users of the device for safe, correct and accurate measurement. This chapter includes a detailed and complete description of all the functions of the device, the safety instructions and all the information required to understand the operation of the device.

5.1 FIRST TIME USE

5.1.1 BASIC FUNCTIONALITIES

MESI ECG MODULE package contains ECG wireless module, power adaptor, patient cable for disposable electrodes and a packet of 50 pieces of snap on electrodes. Before first use, the device needs to be paired with MESI mTABLET UNIT. Please follow instructions carefully.

5.1.2 TURNING ON

MESI ECG UNIT comes with an internal battery and is ready to use upon receiving. Press the button on top of the MESI ECG UNIT to wake up the module. If the green light flashes, the module is ready for the next step. Otherwise, please see the following chapter for more information on battery charging.

NOTE: The battery inside a completely new device is most likely not completely empty and can provide enough power to start the device up. Nonetheless, connect the device to the mains electricity using the AC/DC power supply before first use.

NOTE: When the battery needs to be replaced, the mTABLET will display a battery warning. For more information, please see the Errors section.

5.1.3 AC/DC POWER SUPPLY AND BATTERY

The MESI ECG UNIT uses two power sources. The mains electricity, using an AC/DC power supply for charging and battery power while performing measurement.

NOTE: MESI ECG UNIT is not intended to be connected to mains electricity while performing an ECG measurement.

Connect the AC/DC power supply to a wall socket with a mains voltage of 100-240V at 50-60Hz and to the connector at the back of the device. The device is now recharging its battery. During this process the light on the module will be flashing yellow. Only when the device is completely charged will it start flashing green.

5.1.4 PAIRING

Before any recordings can be performed the MESI ECG UNIT needs to be paired to your MESI mTABLET UNIT. Please take the MESI mTABLET UNIT and open Doctor’s profile (for more information about user accounts please see MESI mTABLET instruction manual, chapter MANAGING USERS). Go to Settings > Modules and tap +Add module on the right side. The application will guide you through the next steps.

Step 1

Go to User profile > Settings > Modules > +Add module

MESI mTABLET ECG - Pairing

Step 2

Press button on top of the MESI ECG UNIT.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Pairing - Step 2

Step 3

When the MESI mTABLET UNIT establishes a connection with MESI ECG UNIT, the light on top of the module will change. Confirm the pairing process by pressing the button on top of the module again.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Pairing - Step 3

Step 4

Final screen indicates successful connection between the MESI mTABLET UNIT and the wireless module. You can access all technical information about the connected modules in User profile > Settings > Modules (see Step 1, p. 17).

MESI mTABLET ECG - Pairing - Step 4

NOTE: If you are operating only with one MESI mTABLET UNIT, then performing this operation is required only once. In case of more MESI mTABLET UNITS this process will have to be repeated on each MESI mTABLET UNIT.

5.1.5 CONNECTING PATIENT CABLE

Before first use, during transportation and when storing for longer periods, the patient cable should be disconnected from the ECG. To connect the patient cable, please follow the next steps:

Step 1

Hold resting MESI ECG UNIT in your hands firmly. Connect MESI ECG UNIT and patient cable.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Connecting patient cablet - Step 1

Step 2

Use two thumb screws to secure patient cables to the module.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Connecting patient cable - Step 2

NOTE: MESI ECG MODULE comes with patient cable for disposable electrodes. For connecting other types of patient cable please look at the manual supplied with the patient cable.

5.2 PATIENT SELECTION

Before performing recording, patient needs to be selected or added to your working groups patient list.

5.2.1 SELECTING A PATIENT

Step 1

Select the patient tab button.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Selecting a patient - Step 1

Step 2

Use search bar (1) or scroll (2) to the patient who is having the ECG recorded.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Selecting a patient - Step 2

Step 3

Select the patient.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Selecting a patient - Step 3

5.2.2 ADDING A PATIENT

Step 1

On your home screen, press the + button in the Patient tab.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Adding a patient - Step 1

Step 2

Fill out required fields (Name, Surname, Date of Birth and Gender) and any additional information regarding the patient.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Adding a patient - Step 2

Step 3

Save the patient by pressing the ✔️ button.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Adding a patient - Step 3

5.3 PERFORMING ECG RECORDING

5.3.1 ELECTRODE PLACEMENT

The standard accessories include four (longer) limb and six (shorter) precordial snap cables for single use electrodes. Skin needs to be cleaned with alcohol or ether at the areas where the electrodes will be placed. In some cases, it will be necessary to shave the hair in these areas to provide a better skin surface for good electrical contact. Once the electrodes are attached to patient cable leads, you can apply them to their corresponding positions on the patient’s body.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Electrode placementMESI mTABLET ECG - Electrode placement (2)

NOTE: MESI mTABLET ECG is CF rated. The patient connection is fully isolated and defibrillation protected. However, protection against defibrillation voltage is only ensured if the MESI approved patient cable is used. Make sure that during ECG recording neither the patient nor the conducting parts of the patient connection or the electrodes (including the neutral electrode) come into contact with other persons or conducting objects (even if these are earthed).

5.3.2 RECORDING THE ECG

Step 1

On your MESI mTABLET UNIT select existing patient or add a new one. For additional information please see chapter 5.2 Patient selection.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Performing an ABI measurement - Step 1

Step 2

After selecting the patient, please select the ECG application in application menu.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Step 2

Step 3

When starting the ECG application, you are greeted with an instruction screen that helps you with placing electrodes. At the same time the MESI mTABLET UNIT in this screen connects to ECG module. Only when the connection was successful the start button will turn green.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Step 3

NOTE: If MESI ECG UNIT has low battery or connectivity issues warning will be displayed on instructions screen. In case of errors, please advise the troubleshooting chapter.

Step 4

Prepare application points on the patient before applying the electrodes. (If applying vacuum electrodes please refer to the instructions for use that came with the electrodes).

Step 5

Apply electrodes to their appointed locations. For more information’s please see chapter 5.3 Electrode placement.

Step 6

Once electrodes are applied press button START to begin with the ECG recording.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Step 6

⚠️When electrodes are being applied, be careful that the ECG measurement unit doesn’t touch the patient. Due to its metallic case, it might be cold to touch which can result in muscle tremor that can interfere with ECG signal.

Step 7

Recording screen is combined from 12 lead signal displayed in real time and recording settings. At the same time, it displays the electrode connection status which will notify you if the applied electrode has good or a bad signal strength.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Step 7

NOTE: MESI mTABLET ECG is designed to detect pacemaker impulses. When patients are implanted with the pacemaker, PACE will light up next to electrode status.

Step 8

Fast buttons are there to change between most common filters, recording speed and sensitivity. By pressing on the button repeatedly you can switch between the following options:

  • Myogram filter button rotates between 25 Hz, 35 Hz and “off” options

  • Sensitivity button changes the amplitude settings between 5, 10, 20 mm/mV

  • Recording speed button rotates between 12, 25, 50 mm/s values

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Step 8

Step 9

During recording you can enhance or improve signal display within recording settings menu. It can be accessed with the press on settings icon. For more information about recording settings filter see chapter 5.3.3 Recording settings and filters.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Step 9

NOTE: To zoom in on bipolar limb leads and augmented unipolar limb leads you can press on top part of the recording while to zoom on unipolar chest leads you can press on the bottom part.

Step 10

When the ECG signal is clear and stable press Auto button to save automatic last 10 second ECG recording.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Step 10

NOTE: When a longer signal acquisition is needed, manual mode can be enabled by pressing Manual button. At that moment ECG signal recording will start until pressed for the second time. Manual signal acquisition is limited with 300 second duration.

NOTE: Rotating MTABMDinto landscape position when looking at the measurement will present you with an enhanced view for this recording.

5.3.3 RECORDING SETTINGS AND FILTERS

If necessary, it is possible to activate filters capable of improving the legibility of the signal without modifying its morphology. Activation of the filters has an effect on both the displayed and the printed signal. To guarantee a correct and accurate analysis, any automatic interpretation of the trace is performed always and only on the non-filtered ECG signal.

⚠️Filters may suppress diagnostically relevant portions of the signal, because they limit the transmission range. Therefore, only enable filters if necessary.

5.3.3.1 Recording Speed

The ECG recording speed is by default set to 25mm/s. This translates into each small horizontal box (1 mm) being 0.04 second (40ms). With heavier lines forming larger boxes that include five small boxes and hence represent 0.20 sec (200ms) intervals.

In some cases, the recording speed is increased to 50 mm/s to help with defining some waveforms which would stay hidden with slower recording speed. In this situation, each large box is only 0.10 sec and each small box is only 0.02 sec. In addition, the heart rate appears to be one-half of what is recorded at 25 mm/sec paper speed, and all of the ECG intervals are twice as long as normal.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Recording speed
5.3.3.2 Sensitivity

By default, the sensitivity is set to 10 mm/mV therefore 10 mm (10 small boxes) equals 1 mV with standard calibration. On occasion, particularly when the waveforms are small, double standard is used (20 mm/mV) to help with defining waveforms. On another hand when the wave forms are very large, half standard may be used (5 mm/mV).

MESI mTABLET ECG - Recording the ecg - Sensitivity
5.3.3.3 Low-Pass Filter

A low-pass filter reduces high frequency noise, mainly noise produced by electrical interference from the power grid and in some cases, also by chest and extremity muscles. It has two different filter levels 150 and 250 Hz.

5.3.3.4 High-Pass Filter (Baseline Filter)

High-pass filter can be adjusted with three different filter levels (0.5 Hz / 0.2 Hz / 0.05 Hz) to reduce base line drift on the ECG and keep the signal around centreline. It can be used also to remove the offset which in turn is largely caused by the electrode/gel/body interface.

5.3.3.5 Notching Filter (Mains Filter)

Notching filter can be used for filtering mains interference without distorting the ECG signal. Since power-line noise falls in the region of interest, the setting of Notching filter is by default set to OFF. In case of 50 or 60 Hz pickup in ECG signal accompanying filter can be used.

5.3.3.6 Myogram Filter

Myogram filter can help with suppressing disturbances caused by strong muscle tremor. Filter can be accessed directly on recording screen or in filter menu. The cut-off frequency of the filter can be set to either 25 Hz or 35 Hz. A recorded ECG is stored unfiltered. It is therefore possible to print the stored ECG either with or without passing the myogram filter.

5.3.3.7 Save as Default

Save as default option will save current settings and apply them to all future recordings. Default options can be easily overwritten with new parameters and saved again as default.

5.3.4 AUTO MODE RECORDING

ECG signal can be recorded either up to the point when the Auto button was pressed or from that point on. By default, option “use last 10 second” is enabled where the Auto button will record and save the last 10 seconds up to the point when the button was pressed. On another hand “Use next 10 seconds” will start the recording process only after the Auto button was pressed and record 10 seconds from that point on.

NOTE: When performing a distortion test, the ECG has to be configured with highest bandwidth in filter settings.

5.4 REVIEWING ECG

MESI mTABLET ECG - Reviewing ECG

NOTE: Isoelectric segments at the beginning of a QRS complex are excluded from the first component of the QRS complex.

NOTE: Rotating MTABMD into landscape position when looking at the result will present you with an enhanced view for this recording. When the recording process is completed, result will be displayed on the screen. It consists of five different areas: navigation area, numeric result with interpretations, electrocardiogram and other visual representations, patient’s history of recordings and comments on the result.

If you turn the MTABMD into a landscape position when reviewing the result, you will unlock a new view.

MESI mTABLET ECG - Reviewing ECG (2)MESI mTABLET ECG - Reviewing ECG (3)

5.4.1 MESI MTABLET RESULTS SCREEN

When the recording process is completed, result will be displayed on the screen. It consists of five different areas: navigation area, numeric result with interpretations, electrocardiogram and other visual representations, patient’s history of recordings and comments on the result.

5.4.1.1 Navigation area

All the buttons and information placed in the navigation area are there to help you get around the application. You can toggle between previous results of this patient. If you are not satisfied with the recording for any reason, you can quickly discard it or in case of uncertainty you can consult with other doctors by simply entering their e-mail addresses. It also contains the names of both the doctor performing the recording and the patient.

5.4.1.2 Electrocardiogram

All 12 leads are displayed simultaneously on the electrocardiogram for a faster overview. The ECG recording can be viewed either immediately on the MESI mTABLET UNIT or it can be accessed through mRECORDS for further analysis. In both cases, the recording is standardized with the help of the grid. Time is measured along the horizontal axis while voltage is measured along the vertical axis. By default, each small square is 1 mm in length and represents 0.04 seconds while each larger square is 5 mm in length and represents 0.2 seconds. Similarly, the default value for voltage is set to 10mm/mV which means that each 10mm represents 1 mV. The settings below the electrocardiogram can be used to change these parameters to help you with the interpretation.

5.4.1.3 Automatic interpretation

With the help of the advanced algorithm of the University of Glasgow’s ECG Analysis Software, all recorded data points are analysed automatically. As such it provides a diagnosis which can help you with identifying hidden conditions.

⚠️The data available through automatic interpretation are for informative purposes only and are not intended to constitute professional advice, diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for your professional judgment.

5.4.1.4 Parameters

Parameters are made up of the calculated results and measured values. On the left side under intervals section the duration of RR, PR, P, QT, QRS and QTc are displayed in milliseconds (ms). On the right side of the screen the electrical axes of the heart are determined separately for the P, T and QRS waves. They indicate the main spreading direction of the electrical vector in the frontal plane.

5.4.1.5 History

History holds an overview of recordings done by the same doctor on the same patient. It shows the trend of the patient’s results. With the ECG’s history, it records the number of abnormalities recognized by the University of Glasgow’s ECG Analysis Software.

5.4.1.6 Comment

A comment can be added to every measurement. It will be stored and always available together with recoding report.

5.5 MULTIFUNCTIONAL LED BUTTON

5.5.1 LED INDICATORS

Even though most of the MESI ECG UNIT control is done through the MESI mTABLET UNIT interface there is still a multifunctional LED button on top of the device. Next to basic colour light notification functionalities of this button there is also a possibility to perform some additional operations. These operations are based on the current status of the ECG measurement unit.

5.5.1.1 Standby

Green: Battery capacity is more than 25%.

Red: ECG module battery is almost empty, please recharge the module as soon as possible.

5.5.1.2 Charging

Green: Battery is fully charged.

Orange: ECG module is charging.

5.5.1.3 Pairing

Blue: ECG module is waiting for confirmation from mTABLET.

5.5.2 BUTTON FUNCTIONS

5.5.2.1 Standby
Button functions - Standby
Column AColumn B
Status checkQuick press on button in standby mode will perform a basic status check of MESI ECG UNIT – green, more than 25% battery charge, while red means less than 25% charge is left and the module should be charged.
Pairing modeHolding the button for 4 seconds will put the module into pairing mode where it can be connected to MESI mTABLET UNIT (for more information please look at chapter PAIRING)
Reset moduleTo perform a reset of the MESI ECG UNIT please press and hold the LED button for 10 seconds until it changes colour to red. Module will be ready to use in a few seconds.
5.5.2.2 Recording mode
Recording mode
Column AColumn B
Stop recordingPressing the button quickly while performing an ECG will cancel the recording and return the MESI mTABLET UNIT to the home screen.

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