Detector system and method for detecting excavation of cardiac hypofunction, and, computer readable memory

Description

1 / 18 “DETECTOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING EXACERBATION OF CARDIAC HYPOFUNCTION, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEMORY DIVIDED FROM BR112024023998-5, OF MAY 9, 2023. Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection system and a method for detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a computer program for detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. Background

[0002] Abnormalities that can occur in a cardiovascular system, if not diagnosed and treated and / or resolved appropriately, can progressively diminish an individual's health. For example, pulmonary hypertension (PAH) often represents an early indication of an impending exacerbation phase of cardiac hypofunction that will occur on average three to four weeks after the onset of pulmonary hypertension. In many cases, pulmonary hypertension can predict the exacerbation phase of cardiac hypofunction at such an early stage that traditional indications of cardiac hypofunction, such as weight gain and increased blood pressure, are usually not present. Cardiac hypofunction diagnosed at an early stage can often be treated and / or remedied, and therefore mortality and the need for hospitalization can be significantly reduced.

[0003] Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, USA, has developed a system to detect exacerbation of Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 10 / 69 2 / 18 Cardiac hypofunction. The system comprises a micromechanical sensor and a receiver that receives measurement data from the micromechanical sensor. The micromechanical sensor is placed inside the pulmonary artery through the right side of the heart. Thus, the Abbott Laboratories method for detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction is an invasive method. The Abbott Laboratories system receiver can be placed, for example, on a patient's bed. When the patient is lying in bed, the micromechanical sensor sends measurement data through the receiver to a cloud service. The measurement data may be indicative of the aforementioned pulmonary hypertension (PAH), which in many cases represents an early indication of an impending exacerbation phase of cardiac hypofunction.

[0004] Invasive methods of the type described above have their inherent risks related to the need for invasive operations on a human body. Furthermore, some invasive methods can only be used during surgical procedures. On the other hand, a non-invasive method based on Doppler ultrasound measurement requires expensive equipment and skilled and experienced examination personnel. Thus, there is a need for non-invasive systems and methods to detect exacerbations of cardiac hypofunction. Summary

[0005] The following is a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various embodiments of the invention. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary presents Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, p. 11 / 69 3 / 18 only some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0006] In this document, the word geometric when used as a prefix means a geometric concept that is not necessarily part of any physical object. The geometric concept can be, for example, a geometric point, a straight or curved geometric line, a geometric plane, a non-planar geometric surface, a geometric space, or any other geometric entity that is zero, one, two, or three dimensions.

[0007] According to the invention, a new detector system is provided for non-invasive detection of exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. A detector system according to the invention comprises: - a processing system configured to receive a measurement signal, - a linear motion sensor configured to produce the measurement signal when in a motion detection relationship with an individual's jugular vein (JV, lat. vena jugularis), and - a memory system communicatively connected to the processing system.

[0008] The processing system is configured to: - Compare the initial data stored in the memory system, based on the first part of the previously produced measurement signal, with the second data, based on the second part of the subsequently produced measurement signal. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 12 / 69 4 / 18 - to calculate a frequency spectrum of the measurement signal, - calculate the energy of a portion of the frequency spectrum above a predetermined frequency threshold, and - Define indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses an increase in the energy of the portion of the frequency spectrum above the predetermined frequency limit.

[0009] The jugular vein is directly connected to the right atrium of the heart, and therefore, variations in jugular vein pressure are produced by changes in blood flow and pressure changes caused by fillings and contractions of the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. This opens a door for a non-invasive examination targeting the right side of the heart, i.e., the right ventricle and right atrium, based on changes in jugular vein pressure behavior. In the system according to the invention, possible changes in jugular vein pressure behavior are detected by comparing the first data stored in the memory system and based on the previously produced part of the measurement signal with the second data based on the subsequently produced part of the measurement signal. In addition to the aforementioned first and second parts of the measurement signal, it is possible to produce a third, fourth, etc.parts of the measurement signal and thus monitor the development of the cardiac hypofunction situation over time. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 13 / 69 5 / 18

[0010] According to the invention, a new method is also provided for non-invasively detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. One method according to the invention comprises: - to produce a measurement signal with a linear motion sensor that is in a motion detection relationship with an individual's jugular vein, - compare the first data stored in a memory system, based on the first part of the previously produced measurement signal, with the second data, based on the second part of the subsequently produced measurement signal. - to calculate a frequency spectrum of the measurement signal, - calculate the energy of a portion of the frequency spectrum above a predetermined frequency threshold, and - Define indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses an increase in the energy of the portion of the frequency spectrum above the predetermined frequency limit.

[0011] According to the invention, a novel computer program is also provided for controlling a programmable data processing system to detect exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. The computer program comprises computer-executable instructions for controlling the programmable data processing system to: Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 14 / 69 6 / 18 - to receive a measurement signal from a suitable linear motion sensor to produce the measurement signal when in a motion detection relationship with an individual's jugular vein, - to store, in a memory system, the initial data that is based on an initial part of the previously produced measurement signal, - compare the first data with the second data, which are based on a second part of the measurement signal produced later and - to calculate a frequency spectrum of the measurement signal, - calculate the energy of a portion of the frequency spectrum above a predetermined frequency threshold, and - Define indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses an increase in the energy of the portion of the frequency spectrum above the predetermined frequency limit.

[0012] According to the invention, a new computer program product is also provided. The computer program product comprises a non-volatile computer-readable medium, for example, a compact disc (CD), encoded with a computer program according to the invention.

[0013] Exemplary and non-limiting examples are described in the accompanying dependent claims. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 15 / 69 7 / 18

[0014] Several illustrative and non-limiting embodiments, both in terms of construction and methods of operation, together with additional objectives and advantages, will be better understood from the following description of specific illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] The verbs understand and include are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of features that are also not mentioned.

[0016] The features mentioned in the accompanying dependent claims are mutually combinable unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0017] Furthermore, it should be understood that the use of "um" or "uma," that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Illustrative and non-limiting modalities and their advantages are explained in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting modality for non-invasive detection of exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction,

[0020] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate the functionality of a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting modality for non-invasive detection of exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, p. 16 / 69 8 / 18

[0021] Figure 3 shows exemplary waveforms of jugular vein pressure (JVP) and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to illustrate the functionality of a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting modality for non-invasive detection of exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction, and

[0022] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary and non-limiting modality for non-invasive detection of exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY AND NON-LIMITING MODALITIES

[0023] The specific examples provided in the description below should not be interpreted as limiting the scope and / or applicability of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description are not exhaustive, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment for non-invasively detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. The detector system comprises a sensor 102 that is configured to produce a measurement signal when the sensor 102 is in a motion detection relationship with a jugular vein 105 of an individual 111. The sensor may be, for example, an optical sensor suitable for optically measuring the movement caused by the jugular vein 105 on the skin 104. In a part 106 of Figure 1, the direction perpendicular to the skin 104 is substantially parallel to the z-axis of a coordinate system 199. In this case Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 17 / 69 9 / 18 exemplifying, the sensor 102 is a part of a device 107 that is placed against the skin 104 of the individual 111. The device 107 could be, for example, a mobile phone. The detector system comprises a processing system 101 configured to receive the measurement signal from the sensor 102. In addition, the detector system comprises a memory system 103 that is communicatively connected to the processing system 101. In this exemplary case, the memory system 103 is implemented as a cloud service on an external data network 108.

[0025] The jugular vein 105 is directly connected to the right atrium of the heart and, therefore, the variation in jugular vein pressure (JVP) is produced by changes in blood flow and pressure changes caused by fillings and contractions of the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. This opens a gateway for a non-invasive examination targeting the right side of the heart, i.e., the right ventricle and right atrium, based on changes in jugular vein pressure behavior. To detect possible changes in jugular vein pressure behavior, the processing system 101 is configured to compare the first data stored in the memory system 103, based on a first part of the measurement signal produced earlier, with the second data, based on a second part of the measurement signal produced later.Furthermore, processing system 101 is configured to generate indicative data suggesting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction based on a comparison between the first and second data. Device 107 may include, for example, a display to present the data. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 18 / 69 10 / 18 indicators to a user. The display is not shown in Figure 1. It is also possible that the device is configured to send the indicator data to the 108 data network. The first and second data mentioned above can be defined in different ways based on the first and second parts of the measurement signal.

[0026] In a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the processing system 101 is configured to receive electrical signals from electrodes 109 and 110 on the skin of individual 111 and the processing system 101 is configured to produce an electrocardiogram (ECG) for a time interval of each measurement performed by sensor 102. The ECG signal can be used to improve the determination of an exacerbation phase of cardiac hypofunction.

[0027] The processing system 101 can be implemented, for example, with one or more processor circuits, each of which can be a programmable processor circuit supplied with appropriate software, a dedicated hardware processor, such as, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a configurable hardware processor, such as, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). It is also possible that the device 107 comprises a memory system so that the device 107 can operate autonomously without a connection to the data network 108. The memory system of the device 107 can comprise, for example, one or more memory circuits, each of which can be, for example, a random-access memory (RAM) circuit. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 19 / 69 11 / 18

[0028] Figure 2a illustrates a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment for non-invasively detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. Furthermore, Figure 2a schematically shows the right side of a heart. The detector system comprises a sensor 202 configured to produce a measurement signal when the sensor 202 is in a motion detection relationship with a jugular vein 205 of the individual. In Figure 2, the direction perpendicular to the skin 204 is substantially parallel to the z-axis of a coordinate system 299. The detector system comprises a processing system 201 configured to receive the measurement signal from the sensor 202. The detector system comprises a memory system 203 communicatively connected to the processing system 201. In this exemplary case, the processing system 201 and the memory system 203 are implemented as cloud services on an external data network 208.

[0029] The exemplary detector system illustrated in Figure 2 comprises a sheet of flexible material 212 that is provided with adhesive to fix the sensor 202 to the skin 204 of the individual. Thus, the sensor 202 can be used in different positions of the individual, for example, when the individual is standing. The sensor 202 is configured to maintain a wireless link to transfer the measurement signal from the sensor 202 to a gateway, router or some other suitable element of the data network 208. The wireless link can be, for example, a radio link, such as a Bluetooth® link or a Near Field Communication (NFC) link. Also Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 20 / 69 12 / 18 it is possible that the wireless link is an optical or infrared link.

[0030] Figure 2a schematically shows the right side of a heart during a systolic phase. A leak through the tricuspid valve during the systolic phases is increasing when the pressure in the right ventricle is increasing due to exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. The leak causes turbulent reflux into the right atrium. This turbulent reflux causes high-frequency oscillations in the jugular vein pressure waveform (JVP). Graph 212 in Figure 2b shows a rotational energy spectrum of the gyroscope in a case of cardiac hypofunction, and graph 213 shows a rotational energy spectrum of the gyroscope in a normal case. Therefore, exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction can be detected based on changes in high-frequency oscillations in jugular vein pressure (JVP).

[0031] In the detector system illustrated in Figure 2a, processing system 201 is configured to compute a frequency spectrum of the measurement signal and to compute the energy of a portion of the frequency spectrum above a predetermined frequency limit, which may be, for example, 20 Hz. In this example, the first data may be the computed energy corresponding to a first measurement, and the second data may be the computed energy corresponding to a second measurement made after the first measurement. Processing system 201 is configured to define the indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 21 / 69 The difference between the first and second data points, 13 / 18, indicates an increase in computed energy.

[0032] Figure 3 shows an exemplary waveform 314 of jugular vein pressure (JVP) and an exemplary waveform 315 of an electrocardiogram (ECG). Waveform 314 shows jugular vein pressure during an exhalation phase (expiration) and during an inhalation phase (inhale) as well. During the inhalation stages, intrathoracic pressure in the thoracic cavity decreases, and therefore more blood can enter the right atrium of the heart. As a corollary, the jugular vein is partially emptied. This, in turn, causes the pulmonary artery pulsations to conduct better to a motion sensor. Specifically, the c wave of the jugular vein pulse is modified by the rapid increase in pulmonary artery pressure during a systolic phase. In a case of cardiac hypofunction, when the pressure in the right atrium is higher, the decrease in intrathoracic pressure does not empty the jugular vein to the same extent as in a normal case.Thus, in a case of cardiac hypofunction, the respiratory cycle does not modulate the output signal from the motion sensor in the same way as in a normal case. Therefore, exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction can be detected based on changes in modulation caused by the respiratory cycle.

[0033] In a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the processing system is configured to receive a signal indicative of the inhalation and exhalation phases of an individual's breathing and to detect the modulation of the measurement signal caused by the alternating inhalation and exhalation phases. In this Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 22 / 69 14 / 18 In an illustrative case, the first data could be the modulation detected during a first measurement, and the second data could be the modulation detected during a second measurement taken after the first measurement. Modulation can be expressed, for example, as a difference between amplitudes, powers, etc. of the measurement signals during the exhalation and inhalation phases. The processing system is configured to define the indicator data to express an exacerbation phase of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses a weakening of the modulation.

[0034] In a detector system according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, sensor fusion is used, i.e., different sensors are used to produce the measurement signal dependent on jugular vein pressure. For example, an acceleration sensor can be used together with a gyroscope so that the deviation from a typical signal level of certain gyroscopes is corrected with the aid of an acceleration sensor and, for example, a Kalman filter.

[0035] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary and non-limiting modality for non-invasively detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. The method comprises the following actions: - Action 401: Produce a first part of a measurement signal with a sensor that is in a motion detection relationship with an individual's jugular vein and store the first data based on the first part of the measurement signal in a memory system. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 23 / 69 15 / 18 - Action 402: Produce a second part of the measurement signal with the sensor that is in the motion detection relationship with the individual's jugular vein. - Action 403: Compare the first data stored in the memory system, based on the first part of the previously produced measurement signal, with the second data, based on the second part of the subsequently produced measurement signal, and - Action 404: Generate indicative data suggesting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction based on a comparison between the initial data and the second data.

[0036] A method according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment comprises calculating a frequency spectrum of the measurement signal, calculating the energy of a portion of the frequency spectrum above a predetermined frequency threshold, and defining indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses an increase in the energy of the portion of the frequency spectrum.

[0037] A method according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment comprises receiving a signal indicative of the inhalation and exhalation phases of the individual's breathing, detecting the modulation of the measurement signal caused by the alternating inhalation and exhalation phases, and defining the indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses a weakening of the modulation. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 24 / 69 16 / 18

[0038] A method according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment comprises receiving one or more electrical signals from electrodes on the individual's skin and producing electrocardiograms (ECGs) for time intervals corresponding to the first and second data.

[0039] In the method according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the sensor maintains a wireless link to transfer the measurement signal from the sensor to a processing system configured to form the indicator data.

[0040] In the method according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the sensor is a part of a mobile phone.

[0041] A computer program according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment comprises computer-executable instructions for controlling a programmable data processing system to perform actions related to a method according to any of the exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described above.

[0042] A computer program according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment comprises software modules for controlling a programmable data processing system to detect exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction. The software modules comprise executable computer instructions for controlling the programmable data processing system to: - receive a measurement signal from a suitable sensor to produce the measurement signal when it is in Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 25 / 69 17 / 18 a motion detection ratio with an individual's jugular vein, - to store, in a memory system, the initial data based on an initial part of the measurement signal, - compare the first data with the second data based on a second part of the measurement signal produced subsequently and - To generate indicative data suggesting the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction based on a comparison between the initial data and the subsequent data.

[0043] Software modules can be, for example, subroutines or functions implemented with programming tools suitable for the programmable data processing system.

[0044] A computer program product according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment comprises a computer-readable medium, for example, a compact disc (CD), encoded with a computer program according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0045] A signal according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment is encoded to carry information that defines a computer program according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The specific examples given in the description above should not be interpreted as limiting the scope and / or applicability of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples given in the description above are not exhaustive, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 26 / 69 18 / 18 stated otherwise. Correspondingly, exemplary waveforms and other illustrative results presented above and / or in figures should not be interpreted as limiting the scope and / or applicability of the appended claims. Petition 870260045367, dated 05 / 13 / 2026, page 27 / 69

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. A detector system for detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction, the detector system comprising: - a processing system (101, 201) configured to receive a measurement signal, - a linear motion sensor (102, 202) configured to produce the measurement signal when in a motion detection relationship with an individual's jugular vein, and - a memory system (103, 203) communicatively connected to the processing system, wherein the processing system is configured to: - compare first data stored in the memory system and based on a first part of the measurement signal produced previously with second data based on a second part of the measurement signal produced subsequently, and - form indicative data indicative of exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction based on the comparison between the first data and the second data,characterized by the fact that the processing system is configured to calculate a frequency spectrum of the measurement signal, to calculate the energy of a portion of the frequency spectrum above a predetermined frequency limit, and to define the indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses an increase in the energy of the portion of the frequency spectrum. Petition 870260084732, dated 20 / 08 / 2026, page 5 / 12 2 / 3, 2. A detector system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing system is configured to receive a signal indicative of the inhalation and exhalation phases of the individual's breathing, to detect modulation of the measurement signal caused by the alternating inhalation and exhalation phases, and to define the indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses a weakening of the modulation.

3. A detector system, according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing system is configured to receive one or more electrical signals from electrodes on the individual's skin and the processing system is configured to produce electrocardiograms for time intervals corresponding to the first and second parts of the measurement signal.

4. Detector system, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the processing system and the linear motion sensor are configured to maintain a wireless link to transfer the measurement signal from the linear motion sensor to the processing system.

5. Detector system, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the linear motion sensor (102) is a part of a mobile phone.

6. Method for detecting exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction, the method comprising producing (401, 402) a measurement signal with a linear motion sensor which is in Petition 870260084732, dated 20 / 08 / 2026, page.6 / 12 3 / 3 motion detection relationship with an individual's jugular vein, and the method comprising: - comparing (403) first data stored in a memory system and based on a first part of the measurement signal produced previously with second data based on a second part of the measurement signal produced subsequently, and - forming (404) indicator data indicative of the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction based on the comparison between the first data and the second data, characterized in that the method comprises calculating a frequency spectrum of the measurement signal, calculating the energy of a part of the frequency spectrum above a predetermined frequency limit and defining the indicator data to express the exacerbation of cardiac hypofunction in response to a situation in which the comparison between the first data and the second data expresses an increase in the energy of the part of the frequency spectrum.

7. Computer-readable memory characterized in that it comprises instructions stored therein which, when executed by a computer, perform the method as defined in claim 6. Petition 870260084732, dated 20 / 08 / 2026, page 7 / 12

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