ABP signal determination method, ABP signal determination system, and computer program product

Abstract

A method for determining an ABP signal, a system for determining an ABP signal, and a computer program product are provided. The present invention relates to a method and system for determining an ABP signal, as well as to a computer program product, in which at least one cardiac motion induced signal is detected and the detected cardiac motion induced signal is converted into at least one ABP signal, said conversion being performed by a model determined by machine learning, in which the cardiac motion induced signal constitutes an input value to be converted and in which the ABP signal constitutes an output value to which it is converted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining an ABP signal (sometimes referred to as a generation method), a system for determining an ABP signal, and a computer program product including the method or system for determining an ABP signal. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, blood pressure is an important indicator for medical diagnosis, such as in the case of hypertension-related diseases. In many cases, it is necessary or desirable to detect a continuous blood pressure signal, i.e., the so-called aortic blood pressure signal, or ABP signal, for diagnostic purposes. Such continuous blood pressure signals must usually be recorded invasively to avoid injury to the body. In this regard, conventional methods require, for example, introducing a cannula or a catheter into a blood vessel to continuously detect blood pressure. Additionally, non-invasive measurement devices for measuring blood pressure are known, such as, for example, upper arm cuff devices. However, these blood pressure measurement methods have the problem that they can only measure blood pressure at individual points in time, i.e., they can only measure blood pressure discontinuously, rather than continuously. Furthermore, these blood pressure measuring devices have the problem that they must mechanically block or at least reduce the blood flow. Furthermore, because the cuff needs to be attached to a stable part of the body, for example, about 1 to 2 cm above the bend of the arm on the upper arm, there is a problem that errors are likely to occur depending on the measurement procedure, such as when the cuff is inflated. Similarly, there is the issue of use in that the cuff should not be too tight or too loose relative to the measurement site. Furthermore, repeated blood pressure measurements without sufficient rest periods may result in changes in the measured values, and continuous blood pressure detection may further reduce its accuracy.

[0003] Similarly, these conventional blood pressure measurement methods are contact-based, which can increase the risk of infection for the patient. Furthermore, conventional blood pressure measurement methods have been found to be uncomfortable or even painful for some patients.

[0004] Therefore, other known approaches utilize multiple measurement systems, such as an ECG device or an SCG detector and a PPG device, to measure the so-called pulse transit time between two points, such as the heart and a finger, which then allows for a subsequent blood pressure measurement. However, such a blood pressure measurement method requires a combination of various measurement systems and methods, and while it is relatively sophisticated, it also has the drawback of being prone to inaccuracy. Similarly, such measurement methods have the drawback that conventional blood pressure measurements require a person-specific calibration before each measurement.

[0005] An improved approach to other known blood pressure measurement methods has been proposed that utilizes the PPG signal to make such blood pressure measurements more accurate. Furthermore, a conventional method for measuring blood pressure is known to detect an electrocardiogram signal (SCG signal), which is also called a vestibular motion signal. Here, the vestibular signal refers to a portion of the chest wall in front of the heart. Therefore, the vestibular motion signal can contain information about the movement of a portion of the chest wall. In particular, such anterior cardiac motion signal contains information about vestibular movements, especially vibrations, caused by cardiac motion. Therefore, based on such anterior cardiac motion signals, the motion of the heart valves, for example the aortic valve and the mitral valve, can also be detected and associated characteristics identified. While the electrical impulses visualized in an ECG study represent the electrical impulses that occur before each muscle movement within the cardiac cycle, the SCG signal represents the resulting movement measured at the cardiac vestibular location. Such approaches to blood pressure measurement use widely used inertial sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, as well as pressure and radar sensors.

[0006] Similarly, conventional blood pressure measurement methods are also known that rely on the detection of phonocardiogram signals, which detect audio signals determined by receiving sound waves, which are therefore said to be caused by cardiac activity.

[0007] Similarly, conventional methods of measuring blood pressure are known to detect phonocardiogram signals, which detect resonances throughout the body caused by cardiac activity. Therefore, such electrocardiogram waveforms are advantageously detected over the entire body and are not limited to specific measurement points.

[0008] Also, most of the research in the field of mobile and portable electrocardiography has focused on extracting vital parameters such as cardiac frequency, cardiac frequency variability, and respiratory frequency. Although these vital parameters provide valuable information regarding a user's medical condition, continuous blood pressure monitoring may be desirable to enhance a physician's diagnostic possibilities.

[0009] Furthermore, machine learning methods are known in cardiology, where several known methods feature the use of convolutional autoencoders to compress health data by reducing the complexity and noise of biological signals, as demonstrated in EEG and ECG signals.

[0010] And in addition to using neural networks to analyze ECG data, there are many papers that apply machine learning to signals from other types of sensors. CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) can be used to estimate heart rate from PPG sensors (Photoplethysmography sensors) and for automatic identification of cardiovascular disorders from SCG data.

[0011] Therefore, Patent Document 1, WO2020 / 009387A1, is known, which discloses a method and device for estimating segmental blood pressure using a circular neural network. This patent document discloses that a biological signal is detected and analyzed, while characteristic information is extracted, and blood pressure parameters are calculated based on the characteristic information. Furthermore, the blood pressure at a future time point is determined by a neural network, the input for this determination being the calculated blood pressure.

[0012] Furthermore, Patent Document 2, US2019 / 274552A1, is known, which discloses blood pressure measurement without using a cuff. To this end, the blood pressure monitor comprises a processor for extracting blood pressure related features from the BCG signal and estimating blood pressure based at least in part on the extracted features, and the blood pressure estimator, the processor for estimating blood pressure, can be determined by machine learning methods.

[0013] Furthermore, Patent Document 3, US2020 / 330050A1, discloses a health monitoring system. In particular, it discloses that the output signal of an acceleration sensor is supplied to a "peak pattern detector" and becomes the input signal of a blood pressure estimator.

[0014] As explained above, these patent documents disclose the extraction of features from the detected signal as a key feature for determining blood pressure, the extracted features forming input values ​​for the method for determining / estimating blood pressure. For example, patent document 3, US2020 / 330050A1, discloses the detection and estimation of peak values ​​as a key feature, and the time points of these peak values ​​constitute input values ​​for a non-linear regression model that estimates blood pressure.

[0015] Furthermore, Patent Document 2, US2019 / 274552A1, discloses as an important technical feature that blood pressure-related characteristics are extracted from the BCG signal and used as the basis for blood pressure estimation. Furthermore, Patent Document 1, WO2020 / 009387A1, discloses as an important technical feature that characteristics are extracted from a biosignal, and past blood pressure-related parameters are calculated based on the extracted characteristics.Then, the blood pressure-related parameters are used as input values ​​for a neural network to determine future blood pressure. However, such feature extraction is sophisticated and prone to errors, which may degrade the quality of the estimated blood pressure signal.Furthermore, determining the features requires additional computational effort.

[0016] Similarly, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, there is a finding on "Correlation between seismocardiogram and systolic blood pressure" by MSImtiaz et al., presented at the 26th IEEE Canadian Conference on Electronic and Computer Engineering (CCECE), Regina, SK, Canada, 2013, pp. 2013. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0017] [Patent Document 1] WO2020 / 009387A1 (Claims, etc.) [Patent Document 2] US2019 / 274552A1 (Claims, etc.) [Patent Document 3] US2020 / 330050A1 (Claims, etc.) [Non-patent literature]

[0018] [Non-Patent Document 1] MSImtiaz et al, "Correlation between seismocardiogram and systolic blood pressure," 2013 26th IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE), Regina, SK, Canada, 2013, pp:10.1109 / CCECE.2013.6567773 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0019] Therefore, it has been an important technical problem to provide a method and a system for determining ABP signals, in particular continuously, as well as a computer program product that allows an easy, accurate and reliable determination of ABP signals with as little computational effort as possible, and in which invasive detection with the above-mentioned drawbacks is avoided.

[0020] The solution to the technical problem according to the invention is thus derived from the subject matter of the invention having the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subject matter having the features of the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] That is, what is proposed by the invention is a method for determining an aortic blood pressure signal, or APB signal, which may also mean an arterial blood pressure signal, in which at least one signal resulting from cardiac motion is detected. The cardiac signal may refer to a signal caused by cardiac motion, or may include multiple cardiac signals, and in particular, various types of signals, as will be described below. In particular, the ABP signal is preferably a continuous ABP signal, meaning that the time series progression of the ABP signal, in particular the wave-like time series of the ABP signal, is determined. In particular, the continuous aortic blood pressure signal defines the aortic blood pressure, and the continuous arterial blood pressure signal defines the arterial blood pressure at each point in time during a predetermined determination period.

[0022] In particular, the signal resulting from cardiac motion may be an SCG signal (electrocardiogram signal), a PCG signal (phonocardiogram signal) or a BCG signal (varistor electrocardiogram signal). These signals resulting from cardiac motion can be determined by appropriate detection means. For example, SCG signals can be detected by appropriate SCG detection means, PCG signals by appropriate PCG detection means, and BCG signals by appropriate BCG detection means, and then determined as data. However, it can be said that signals induced by cardiac motion are not specifically ECG signals, since ECG signals are signals that induce cardiac motion, and not vice versa.

[0023] Such SCG detection means may for example consist of at least one acceleration sensor, for example a MEMS acceleration sensor, in particular a MEMS gyro sensor, or a radar sensor, in particular a Doppler radar sensor. Therefore, as already explained, the SCG signal preferably contains or encodes information about the motion of the heart. Such an acceleration sensor is preferably a uniaxial or triaxial piezoelectric acceleration sensor, or a MEMS acceleration sensor, or a triaxial MEMS acceleration sensor, or a gyroscope, a laser Doppler vibrometer, a microwave Doppler radar sensor, or a so-called airborne ultrasonic motion camera (AUSMC). The PCG detection means may also consist in particular of a microphone, in particular of a mobile end device, such as a mobile phone, or a laser microphone. Furthermore, the BCG detection means preferably consist of at least one pressure sensor, for example implemented as a load cell.

[0024] The detected at least one cardiac motion induced signal is then converted into at least one ABP signal. An exemplary conversion process is described in detail below: The detected cardiac motion induced signals may also be converted into an ABP signal.

[0025] For example, it has been surprisingly discovered that the aortic blood pressure is affected by cardiac motion, and therefore the ABP signal also contains or encodes information about cardiac motion, so that the cardiac motion signal and the ABP signal contain an equivalent amount of information about cardiac activity. Conversely, cardiac motion-induced signals therefore also contain information about the mechanical activity of the heart. Signals resulting from cardiac motion are not particularly used for routine hospital or clinic diagnostics, their interpretation is not usually part of a physician's training, and they are therefore usually incomprehensible to the user without appropriate processing. Therefore, the ABP signal that is normally useful for a larger number of people can be determined by transformation, increasing the medical applicability, for example, for diagnostic purposes.

[0026] Similarly, it may be advantageous to say that mechanical contact with the patient or invasive sensing is not absolutely necessary for sensing cardiac motion-induced signals.

[0027] Preferably, the cardiac motion induced signals are detected in a contactless manner, i.e. without mechanically contacting the patient by the associated sensor. This can be done by the detection means being located at a location remote from the patient, for example in a mattress on which the patient rests or in a seat on which the patient sits. Furthermore, if the detection means is configured with, for example, a radar sensor, the detection means may be disposed so that the patient or the patient's chest is located within the detection range of the radar sensor.

[0028] However, it is also possible to detect cardiac motion-induced signals by sensors that are in mechanical contact with the patient or that are placed in or on the patient for detection purposes. For example, the detection means may be integrated into a pacemaker, in particular a rate-adaptive pacemaker, which may include detection means implemented as an acceleration sensor in order to adapt the patient's heart rhythm in response to signals detected by such detection means, in particular to current movement states as well as pulse demands. To enable this, it is preferable that the activity is identified according to the output signal of the acceleration sensor, and if, for example, the load increases (e.g., when changing from walking to climbing stairs), the heartbeat rhythm increases accordingly. The acceleration sensor used for this purpose can also be used to detect signals due to cardiac motion.

[0029] The signals detected by such detection means may then be transmitted, for example wirelessly by a suitable method of data transmission, to, for example, calculation means, which can then perform the conversion. Such an external computing means may be, for example, a computing means of a mobile end device, or the pacemaker may comprise a computing means for performing the conversion. The calculation means of such a pacemaker may preferably be implemented in the form of an embedded system, for example, the calculation means may be implemented as an integrated circuit specially designed to perform the conversion, and such an integrated circuit may preferably provide, for example, the functionality of a neural network.

[0030] Additionally, using sensing means built into the cardiac pacemaker allows for the use of existing sensors located close to the heart, resulting in better signal quality for signals resulting from cardiac motion. This results in improved measurement accuracy and therefore in improved accuracy of the ABP signal determined in accordance with the present invention. Furthermore, easy certification of the system for determining the ECG signal as a medical product including cardiac pacemaker detection means is also possible by extending the use of already certified cardiac pacemakers.

[0031] Thus, this transformation converts at least one cardiac motion-induced signal, e.g., representing anterior cardiac motion, sound waves caused by these motions, or whole-body motion, into a signal representing or reproducing the time progression of aortic blood pressure.

[0032] The conversion to the ABP signal is preferably a direct conversion. Such conversion may also include multiple sub-conversions, for example, a first sub-conversion converting the cardiac motion-induced signal to an intermediate signal, which is then converted to the ABP signal by a further sub-conversion. Of course, more than two sub-conversions are also possible.

[0033] The proposed transformation determination method can therefore advantageously provide a simple and reliable determination of the ABP signal, not necessarily done in a contactless, but in any case non-invasive manner. The method of determination by predetermined transformation also allows reliable long-term recording of ABP signals, and in particular signals induced by cardiac motion can be recorded over such periods without problems, and can then be recorded over periods of more than 24 hours, since the determination can then be made and transformed in a particularly non-invasive manner.

[0034] Furthermore, the claimed method can be advantageously implemented in existing devices that include detection means suitable for detecting signals induced by cardiac motion, so that these devices can be retrofitted to determine the ABP signal. For example, a mobile phone is usually equipped with an acceleration sensor, so that the SCG signal can be determined by, for example, placing the mobile phone on the patient's chest and detecting the output signal of the acceleration sensor. These output signals can be converted into ABP signals by the proposed transformation. Furthermore, the microphone of a mobile phone can also be used to determine the PCG signals.

[0035] According to the present invention, the predetermined data conversion is characterized in that it is performed by a model determined by machine learning (AI learning).

[0036] Furthermore, the cardiac signal constitutes the input value of the transformation, and the ABP signal constitutes the output value of the transformation. In particular, no extraction of the features that constitute the input value of the transformation from the cardiac signal is performed. Thus, the raw cardiac evoked signal or the filtered cardiac evoked signal can constitute the input values ​​for the transformation, the filtering not playing a role in feature extraction. Furthermore, such a transformation may not specifically include a step of determining the predetermined characteristic, and the electrocardiogram signal may constitute the only input value of the transformation, in other words, no other input values ​​are taken into account in the transformation apart from the signal due to cardiac motion.

[0037] Here, the term machine learning (AI learning) may include or refer to a method of defining a model based on training data. For example, there is teaching, and a model can be defined by a learning method, and the learning data for this purpose, that is, a learning data set consisting of input data and output data, can be mentioned. As input data, cardiac motion induced signals can here be provided, and ABP signals corresponding to these cardiac motion induced signals are provided as output data.

[0038] In particular, the input and output data of such training data can be determined as a result of simultaneously determining the cardiac motion evoked signal and the ABP signal, and these simultaneously determined data then constitute the input and output data for training. Methods and devices for simultaneously determining such data are known from the prior art described at the beginning of this specification. For example, the model can now learn the correlation between electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram or phonocardiogram and blood pressure signals. Such teaching functions and learning methods are known to those skilled in the art. It is also conceivable to use a learning method without teaching to define the model. To determine the learning data, for example, a continuous aortic blood pressure signal (ABP signal) and simultaneously an electrocardiogram signal (SCG signal) can be recorded.

[0039] For example, in a first step, simultaneous invasive and continuous detection of ABP signals and continuous detection of cardiac motion-induced signals, in particular SCG signals, can be performed on members of a first group of subjects, where the ABP signals can be measured directly in the blood vessels of the subjects.

[0040] Next, a first model for converting cardiac motion-evoked signals into ABP signals is trained based on the data of the subject group thus detected and the amplitudes available in this sample, particularly the systolic and diastolic amplitudes. The training data used to determine such a model is referred to as first training data.

[0041] Further training data can then be determined by non-invasively detecting blood pressure signals discretely in time, i.e., not continuously, and simultaneously detecting cardiac motion-induced signals continuously in members of another group of subjects. The time-discrete blood pressure measurements can be performed, for example, by an upper arm cuff measurement device. A transformation of the cardiac motion-induced signals of the subjects of the other subject groups into ABP signals may then be performed using the first model, but the ABP signals determined by the transformation, in particular the systolic and diastolic amplitudes, are then preferably corrected based on time-discrete measurements, in particular so that the deviation between the amplitudes determined by the transformation and the amplitudes measured with the time-discrete measurements is minimized. This correction is advantageous when the initial training data set does not contain all variations in amplitude values ​​due to clinical laboratory conditions, e.g., lying down, inactive, and possibly sedated.

[0042] The ABP signals thus transformed and corrected, as well as cardiac motion-induced signals from other subject groups, preferably constitute a separate training data set. For example, training of the updated model can be performed based on the entirety of the initial training dataset and the other training dataset, which may then be referred to as a fused training dataset. Thus, the training data set can be expanded without the need for further invasive measurements, which can also be repeated in a simple manner to expand the training data set.

[0043] After the model preparation, i.e., training phase, the model thus parameterized is used in the so-called inference phase to determine the ABP signal to be determined from input data in the form of cardiac motion-induced signals, i.e., to implement the proposed transformation, resulting in a reliable and high-quality ABP signal.

[0044] Thus, such a model can be determined in a user or patient non-specific and / or detection means non-specific manner, and the model thus determined is then used to perform the transformation for a particular user and / or a particular detection means. This may mean that a model can be used for each user and / or each detection means in the inference stage, rather than being determined individually for a particular user and / or a particular detection means. This can eliminate the need to train a model anew for each user and / or each detector. Particularly preferably, it can be trained once with a dataset of suitable size (training phase) and then used as a model, e.g. for all users, independently of the user and / or the detection means (inference phase). This has the advantage, in particular, of improving the applicability of the method, since specific training for each user and / or each detection means is not required: for example, the same model can be used to transform signals determined by different detection means.

[0045] Here, a suitable data set preferably comprises data determined for at least a predetermined number of different sick or healthy individuals and / or for at least a predetermined number of physiologies and / or for at least a predetermined number of different diseases.

[0046] However, it is of course also possible to train a model using input data having the same characteristics using only SCG signals, PCG signals, or BCG signals. In that case, different detection means or different configurations of detection means can be used to detect these signals having the same characteristics. However, it is of course also possible to determine the model in a user-specific and / or detection means-specific manner.

[0047] Suitable mathematical algorithms for machine learning include, and preferably are used, at least one of, decision tree-based methods, ensemble methods (e.g., boosting, random forests) based methods, regression-based methods, Bayesian methods (e.g., Bayesian belief networks) based methods, kernel methods (e.g., support vector machines) based methods, instance (e.g., k-nearest neighbor) based methods, association rule learning based methods, Boltzmann machine-based methods, artificial neural networks (e.g., perceptrons) based methods, deep learning (e.g., convolutional neural networks, stacked autoencoders) based methods, dimensionality reduction based methods, regularization based methods, etc.

[0048] For example, training a neural network requires large amounts of training data on a regular basis to ensure a desired quality of the transformation. The amount of training data may depend on factors such as the complexity of the underlying problem, the accuracy required, and the desired adaptability of the network being trained. The application area, i.e., the domain in which the network will be deployed, is often the most important factor in determining these factors and therefore the amount of training data. With sufficient prior knowledge of the domain, it is possible to speed up convergence to an optimal solution or to prepare data that will enable the network to train in such a way in the first place, thereby reducing the amount of training data required.

[0049] The proposed determination method is also preferably used in a medical environment, and therefore high accuracy is desirable. Furthermore, ABP signals and signals due to cardiac motion are relatively complex due to the different sensors required for their detection. However, this results in a huge amount of data for training the neural network. A possible step to reduce the amount of data required is to filter the training data, especially the input and / or output data. In particular, the input and output data of the training data set can be determined by simultaneously determining the cardiac motion evoked signal and the ABP signal and then filtering them before training. In this way, both the memory requirements and the required computation time and / or capacity for determining / generating the model are reduced. For example, the training data can be filtered using a filter, in particular a band-pass filter, e.g., a Butterworth filter, to attenuate not only high frequency components but also low frequency components in the training data. Also, for example, the first low cutoff frequency of the bandpass filter is preferably 0.5 Hz and the second high cutoff frequency is preferably 200 Hz. Similarly, high-pass and / or low-pass filters or other filters (eg, polynomial filters) that filter relevant undesired frequencies from the training data may also be utilized. However, the determined signals can also be used for training without filtering.

[0050] In another embodiment, the at least one cardiac motion-evoked signal is an SCG signal, which advantageously provides for reliable provision of an ABP signal, as the SCG signal can be reliably determined. Furthermore, SCG signals have a wide frequency spectrum (especially a wider frequency spectrum compared to BCG signals) and therefore have a high information density, which can advantageously be determined contactlessly. In particular, SCG signals can contain information about the movement of the heart valves. Advantageously, SCG signals contain higher frequency components and therefore less motion artifacts, especially compared to BCG signals. These properties result in high signal quality. Similarly, it has been found that determining models using SCG signals is possible with sufficiently fast convergence.

[0051] Alternatively, the signal resulting from cardiac motion is a PCG signal. The PCG signal has a wide frequency spectrum, particularly a wider frequency spectrum than the SCG signal or the BCG signal, and is therefore advantageous for accurately determining the ABP signal. Therefore, the PCG signal can also be said to have a high information density. Alternatively, the signal caused by cardiac motion is the BCG signal. Such BCG signals can be measured over the whole body, which is advantageous for flexible detection and determination of ABP signals. It is particularly conceivable that different cardiac evoked signals are detected, for example multiple SCG signals, multiple BCG signals or multiple PCG signals. Similarly, at least two different signals from a signal set consisting of an SCG signal, a PCG signal, and a BCG signal may be detected, and the at least one ABP signal may be determined by converting the different signals into the at least one ABP signal. It is also conceivable to determine a fused cardiac evoked signal from the different cardiac evoked signals and convert this into at least one ABP signal.

[0052] In another embodiment, an error function for determining the deviation of the ABP signal determined by the transformation from the reference ABP signal is preferably analyzed to determine the model, and different signal portions of the ABP signal determined by the transformation and / or the reference ABP signal and / or the deviation (deviation signal) are preferably weighted differently in the analysis of the error function. Therefore, an error function specific to the ABP signal can be used. The reference ABP signal represents a fundamental truth and is preferably an ABP signal detected by known, e.g., invasive, ABP detection means as input data, i.e., detected in parallel with the heart motion-induced signal. The error function is used to determine or quantify the deviation between the result of the transformation, i.e., the ABP signal determined by the transformation, and essentially the true value. This deviation then influences the determination of a model for the transformation by machine learning, in particular the training, in particular of a neural network, and the model is adapted, for example, so that the deviation is reduced, whereby for example the mean square deviation or the mean absolute deviation is also preferably determined as the deviation.

[0053] For the determination of such deviations, various signal portions of the ABP signal determined by the transformation or of the reference ABP signal can be weighted differently, while all signal portions of the remaining signal can be weighted equally. Preferably, for the determination of the deviation, all signal portions of the ABP signal determined by the transformation and all signal portions of the reference ABP signal are weighted equally. However, it is also preferred that different parts of the signal representing the deviation are weighted differently. The weighted portions of the deviation signal may preferably be portions that correspond in time to predetermined relevant portions of the ABP signal determined by the transformation and / or the reference ABP signal.

[0054] Different weighting of different signal parts in at least one of the aforementioned signals can advantageously improve the quality of the model and therefore the signal quality of the ABP signal determined by the transformation. Different weighting of different signal parts allows in particular to weight distinctive and therefore more relevant parts of the ABP signal more highly than less relevant parts. The relevant ABP signal portion can be identified by the expert, for example, by selecting the signal portion using an input device. However, it is also conceivable to instead perform an automatic detection of the relevant signal portions, for example by means of suitable detection methods which identify portions having predetermined signal characteristics. Such detection methods involve, for example, phase transformation, in which certain weights may be assigned to parts that have certain signal characteristics. The relevant portion of the signal may preferably be the systolic portion or the diastolic portion.

[0055] The systolic portion may be the time segment starting at the R-peak in an ECG signal recorded simultaneously with the ABP signal and ending at the end of the T-wave following the R-peak. The diastolic portion is preferably a time segment that starts from the end of the T wave in an ECG signal recorded simultaneously with the ABP signal and ends at the time when the R peak following the end of this T wave occurs. A period of the ABP signal may exhibit two local maxima, the first occurring first in time being of greater amplitude than the second local maximum that follows. In this period of the ABP signal, the systolic portion is the time segment observed briefly before the blood pressure rises to the first local maximum and ends when the blood pressure reaches the local minimum between the two local maxima. The diastolic portion begins after that and ends at the beginning of the next systolic portion.

[0056] In another embodiment, the transformation is performed by a neural network, which may for example be implemented as an autoencoder, or as a convolutional neural network (CNN), or as a recurrent neural network (RNN), or as an abLSTM network (long short-term memory network), or as a neural transformation network, or as a combination of at least two of the aforementioned networks. Such a neural network, in particular a neural network implemented as an autoencoder, can be trained with the help of the training data described herein above, and after training, the conversion of the signal resulting from the detected cardiac motion into an ABP signal becomes possible.

[0057] Here, the implementation of the neural network as an autoencoder advantageously requires a low computational effort for the transformation, so that the transformation can be performed reliably and quickly in a simple manner by embedded systems and portable end devices, such as mobile phones.

[0058] The implementation as a CNN advantageously allows to reduce the complexity of the network and therefore makes it suitable for devices with low computing power. This concerns both the training and inference phases. Another advantage of CNN is that it requires a shorter learning period, especially compared to LSTM networks, which require relatively high computational power.

[0059] However, the implementation as an LSTM network is particularly suitable for the analysis of time series, as its architecture takes into account time-related dependencies, resulting in a high quality of the transformation and the ABP signal it determines.

[0060] In alternative embodiments, the transformation is preferably performed by a predetermined mathematical model or by a predetermined transformation function that may be predetermined by the user, for example. In particular, it is preferable to appropriately parameterize the signal resulting from cardiac motion along with a mathematical model for conversion to the ABP signal, which would further benefit the alternative, reliable, and fast determination of the ABP signal.

[0061] In another embodiment, at least one cardiac motion-induced signal is preferably detected contactlessly. When multiple such signals are detected, exactly one may be detected, or multiple but not all, or alternatively preferably all signals may be detected in a contactless manner, the associated advantages of which have already been explained above.

[0062] Also, in another embodiment, at least one cardiac motion evoked signal is preferably filtered before conversion, and then the filtered cardiac motion evoked signal is converted into an ABP signal. Such filtering may in particular be high-pass filtering, or band-pass filtering, or band-stop filtering. The relevant filters for performing such filtering are especially Butterworth filters or even polynomial filters. If such filtering is high-pass filtering, the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter can be set to, for example, a range of 5 Hz to 8 Hz in order to reliably reduce the influence of motion artifacts on the signal caused by cardiac movement. Also, if such filtering is band-pass filtering, the first cutoff frequency may be, for example, in the range of 5 Hz (inclusive or exclusive) to 8 Hz (inclusive or exclusive). Another cutoff frequency may be, for example, preferably in the range of 30 Hz (inclusive or exclusive) to 35 Hz (inclusive or exclusive) to ensure similar reduction of the effects of motion artifacts outside the range of 8 Hz to 30 Hz. Such filtering is preferably performed by a Butterworth filter or a polynomial filter, which advantageously allows for a more accurate determination and resolution of the ABP signal, especially in the event of patient movement during detection of the signal due to cardiac movement.

[0063] In another embodiment, the at least one cardiac motion induced signal is determined by a detection means of the device. Exemplary detection means have already been described above, and the term "device" here refers to a unit that constitutes the detection means, and may be, for example, a mobile phone or a tablet PC. However, of course, other embodiments of such a device are also possible. Furthermore, the conversion is preferably performed by a calculation means of the device, in other words the device preferably comprises both a detection means and a calculation means. Here, the calculation means may consist of a microcontroller or means implemented as an integrated circuit, or may consist of the microcontroller or integrated circuit itself.

[0064] For example, the complete or partial conversion can be performed by programmable or hardwired components, in particular chips (eg ASIC, FPGA). Such components can perform the conversion by themselves or as part of a system-in-package (SiP). It is also possible to directly integrate a sensor for detecting signals resulting from cardiac motion, e.g. a MEMS acceleration sensor, or a means for performing the conversion as another electronic component, e.g. an SoC (System on Chip).

[0065] This advantageously results in centralized detection and determination of ABP signals, for example, in end devices, particularly mobile end devices.

[0066] Apart from the described means for signal processing, the device may also comprise means for signal storage, means for signal transmission and means for display. On the other hand, it is also possible that the device does not comprise one or all of the described means, in which case the signal resulting from the detected cardiac movement can be transmitted to another device that comprises one or more other means. The ABP signal thus determined can therefore also be visualized, for example, by a display means of another device. The ABP signal may also be stored, for example by a storage means of the device. Furthermore, the ABP signal may also be transmitted from the device to an external system, for example via suitable communication means of the device.

[0067] Alternatively, the signals resulting from the heart movement are preferably transmitted from the detection means to a computing means external to the device, and the conversion is carried out by said computing means external to the device, which may in particular be a server means or a computing means of another device.

[0068] In this case too, the signal resulting from the cardiac movement can be visualized, for example, by a display means of the device, for which purpose the ABP signal determined by a transformation carried out by a calculation means external to the device is retransmitted to the device. The ABP signal thus determined can of course be visualized on a display means external to the device, and for this purpose the ABP signal can be transmitted to another related device and displayed thereon. Furthermore, the ABP signal thus determined can be stored and further processed, for example by a storage means or calculation means external to the device or by another storage means or calculation means external to the device. Here, the calculation means external to the device may be a server means of a network, particularly the Internet, or may be in the form of a device forming a server means. In particular, the device-external computing means is preferably part of a server means providing a cloud-based service. The transmission to the calculation means external to the device can preferably be carried out in a wireless manner, for example by means of suitable transmission means, but it is of course also possible to arrange for the transmission in a wired manner.

[0069] As a result, advantageously, the calculation means of the device, which also comprises the detection means, are not overburdened by the conversion. Thus, detection of signals due to cardiac motion can be performed by devices offering relatively low computing power, so that the associated transformations and potentially further processing can be performed by other computing systems having relatively high computing power.

[0070] In another embodiment, the at least one cardiac motion induced signal is determined by a detection means of the device and the ABP signal determined by the conversion is preferably displayed on a display means of the device or on an external display means, e.g. on a display means of another device. For example, the signal induced by the cardiac movement can be transmitted from the device to a calculation means external to the device, where it is converted, and the ABP signal determined in this way can be transmitted to another device, for example another mobile phone, and displayed on its display means. The ABP signal may be retransmitted to the device and displayed on its display means. The ABP signal may also be displayed by the display of a browser, especially if the off-device computing means is a server means or part of it. In this way, remote monitoring can be performed based on the ABP signal determined in accordance with the present invention.

[0071] In another embodiment, a functional test of the detection means is preferably performed before conversion of the at least one cardiac motion induced signal, the latter being converted only if operability is detected, e.g., when the detection means determine a time-varying output signal. Then, when a constant output signal is determined over time, or when the output signal does not deviate from the constant output signal by more than a predetermined amount, it can be detected that there is no operability. Alternatively, when the output signal cumulatively exhibits characteristics that deviate from predetermined noise characteristics, particularly white noise characteristics, by more than a predetermined amount, operability can be detected. In this case, it can be detected that there is no problem with operability. If this is not the case, it can be detected that there is a lack of operability. A lack of operability may also be detected if the sampling rate of the output signal deviates from a target sampling rate and / or if the quantification of the output signal deviates from an acceptable quantification value. In the absence of operability, i.e., in the case of a lack of operability, the predetermined transformation will not be performed. Advantageously, this results in the predetermined transformation being carried out only if the operability of the detection means is assumed, thus reducing the energy consumption when implementing the inventive determination method.

[0072] Alternatively or cumulatively, the signal quality of the detected signals is preferably determined before conversion of at least one cardiac motion induced signal, and the cardiac motion induced signal is converted only if the signal quality is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, which may for example be a signal-to-noise ratio or a quantity representative of this ratio. If this ratio is greater than a predetermined amount, a transformation is preferably performed. Also, the signal quality is preferably greater than a predetermined amount if the deviation between a predetermined reference signal curve and the detected signal curve in the portion of the signal due to cardiac motion is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, which is sometimes called template comparison. Preferably, a classical signal shape of the signal resulting from cardiac motion, i.e., a reference signal curve, is determined and stored, and then the deviation between the signal curve of the detected signal resulting from cardiac motion and the reference signal curve is determined using methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0073] Signal quality may also be determined using a suitable model, such as a neural network, for example, where training data for such a model may be determined, for example, by a user, or may be determined in an automated or semi-automated manner that assigns a quality metric representative of signal quality to signals resulting from cardiac motion. In this assignment, also called annotation, the signals resulting from cardiac motion constitute the input data and the quality criteria constitute the output data of the training dataset. Such training data can therefore be determined by determining and annotating signals resulting from cardiac motion, in particular at different spatial positions of the detection means, in particular relative to the heart, at different SNRs, under different ambient conditions, under different patient movement states, etc.

[0074] Furthermore, it is conceivable that such a model for determining signal quality, in particular a neural network, may also be used to filter training data to determine a transformation model determined by machine learning. Therefore, here, only signals resulting from such cardiac motion are used as input data for training a transformation model whose signal quality is higher than a predetermined value.

[0075] Analyzing the signal quality as a prerequisite for performing the conversion advantageously ensures that a reliable and high quality conversion is performed.

[0076] In addition to the signal quality, it is also possible to determine the causes of the loss of quality using suitable models, such as neural networks. The training data for such a model can be determined, for example, by a user, or can be used in a semi-automated or fully automated manner to assign sources of impairment to the signal due to cardiac motion, which assignment may also be referred to as annotation. Here, the signals due to cardiac motion constitute the input data, and the sources of quality impairments constitute part of the output data of the training data set. Possible causes of impaired quality include, for example, the presence of artifacts, unfavorable spatial positions for detection, in particular the placement of the detection means relative to the heart, and / or the presence of unfavorable ambient or motion conditions.

[0077] If the cause of the quality loss can be determined in this way, the user can be informed of the cause, for example, via a display means, and can also receive instructions (recommendations) for actions to remedy the cause.

[0078] Furthermore, alternatively or cumulatively, prior to conversion of at least one cardiac motion induced signal, a position, i.e., a spatial position and / or orientation of the detection means relative to the heart, is determined, and the cardiac motion induced signal is converted only if the position corresponds to a predetermined position or deviates therefrom by less than a predetermined amount. For example, the cardiac evoked signal may exhibit a predetermined signal characteristic only when the position corresponds to a predetermined position or deviates from the position by less than a predetermined amount. The signal characteristics of the ECG leads can then be determined and compared to predetermined signal characteristics, and if the deviation is less than a predetermined amount, the location corresponds to the predetermined location or deviates by less than a predetermined amount.

[0079] It is also possible to determine the position using a suitable model, such as, for example, a neural network. The training data for such a model may be determined, for example, by a user, or may involve assigning locations to cardiac motion-induced signals in a semi-automated or fully automated manner, which assignment may also be referred to as annotation. Here, the signals due to cardiac motion will constitute the input data and the positions will form part of the output data of the training data set. Such training data may in particular be determined by determining and correspondingly annotating cardiac motion induced signals at various spatial positions of the detection means, in particular relative to the heart. If the position can be determined, the user can be informed of the position, and in particular its correctness, for example via a display means. Furthermore, if the user deviates from the predetermined position by more than a predetermined amount, the user may receive instructions (recommendations) on actions to take to change the position.

[0080] Determining the position as a prerequisite for performing the transformation advantageously ensures that a reliable and high quality transformation is performed. For example, it can be avoided that the detection means for detecting signals due to cardiac motion is positioned in an incorrect way, e.g., the acceleration sensor does not rest on the surface of the body, thus reducing the quality of the ABP signal determined by the conversion.

[0081] It is contemplated that a cardiac evoked signal intended for conversion may be analyzed to determine operability and / or signal quality and / or location, and that the signal may be used for conversion if operability is detected and / or signal quality is above a predetermined value and / or location does not deviate from a predetermined location by more than a predetermined amount. Alternatively, operability and / or signal quality and / or location may be determined based on cardiac evoked signals that are not intended for conversion, and preferably, further detection of cardiac evoked signals for conversion is performed when operability is detected and / or the signal quality is above a predetermined value and / or the location does not deviate from the predetermined location by more than a predetermined amount.

[0082] Alternatively, the signal quality and / or positioning of the detection means relative to the heart can also be determined by determining a vital parameter other than the SCG signal, for example a parameter characteristic of respiration, and determining, in response to that parameter, whether the signal quality is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and / or whether the positioning corresponds to the predetermined positioning or deviates by less than a predetermined amount. To this end, for example, signal quality and / or a predetermined allocation of parameters to the arrangement may be analyzed. In this way, it can be ensured that the system is carried on the body and properly positioned to detect information related to, for example, ABP signals.

[0083] For example, raw data signals representing respiratory characteristics can be transformed from the time domain to the frequency domain using, for example, a Fast Fourier Transform. The signal energy E can then be calculated, for example, according to the following formula:

[0084]

number

[0085] Here, in the above formula, the symbol E represents the signal energy in the respiratory range, the symbol A represents the amplitude of each frequency in the respiratory range (e.g., 0.1 Hz to 0.6 Hz), uR represents the lower limit of the respiratory frequency, and oR represents the upper limit of the respiratory frequency.

[0086] Then, if the signal energy is less than a predetermined threshold, the absence of breathing is detected, and if the signal energy is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the presence of breathing can be detected. If there is no breathing, the determination system can assume that it is not attached to the body and therefore the positioning has deviated from the predetermined position by more than a predetermined amount. In this case, no conversion of the signals due to cardiac motion will take place, so that the conversion is advantageously carried out only if it is assumed that the correct conditions for use of the detection means are met.

[0087] The ABP signal is preferably a human ABP signal, i.e. a signal for human medical use. However, the method of the present invention for determining an ABP signal can also be applied to determining an ABP signal in animals, ie determining a signal for veterinary applications. For example, when ABP signals are detected in animals for diagnostic purposes, particularly unobtrusive, non-invasive ABP detection would advantageously result in a significant reduction in stress in the animals.

[0088] That is, the detection means can be incorporated into a harness or chest strap worn by the animal, and such sensors can therefore be purchased and applied by the animal's owner themselves. For example, an acceleration sensor in the harness / chest strap can detect signals induced by the animal's cardiac motion and enable the described transformation. Likewise, the determination method can be used by veterinarians in routine examinations, since animals usually only show symptoms of cardiovascular diseases very late, and this method can enable the diagnosis of such diseases already in their early stages. Veterinarians can now detect ABP in animals in a simple manner by applying suitable detection means or devices including detection means, such as smartphones. This testing concept is also applicable to pet fish such as carp, as well as horses and camels, and is of particular interest in the field of competitive sports involving such animals.

[0089] In the livestock sector, medical monitoring is only routinely carried out on a small scale, such as cohort diagnosis by veterinarians, due to the cost and effort involved. However, ABP monitoring is likely to provide clinicians with valuable information related to animal welfare, such as productivity, health status, stress assessment, and early detection of bacterial infections such as streptococcus. However, to date, ABP monitoring in individual animals using conventional methods is very sophisticated and expensive. The proposed method offers the possibility of cost-effective and easy monitoring when detecting cardiac motion-induced signals in a contactless manner, for example by using radar sensors. "Animal monitoring can therefore be performed in a non-contact and therefore hygienic manner. This monitoring is conceivable not only for farmed animals such as pigs and ruminants, but also for fish. The proposed method can also be used in animal research. It can also be applied in zoos and wildlife parks to ensure the health of animals with as little stress as possible." The proposed determination method has the advantage of being contactless. Another advantage is its ease of application and high availability. Similarly, it may be applicable to SCG detection in hospital beds, nursing home beds, or in home environments.

[0090] Another advantage is that it can be easily used in rural areas where there is a shortage of general practitioners and especially specialists. The proposed method can be easily and cost-effectively implemented for telemedicine applications in such scenarios.

[0091] Furthermore, existing devices that include systems capable of detecting SCG signals 2, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, can be enabled to implement the proposed method by a software update. Therefore, the functionality provided by the present determination method can be retrofitted to a large number of devices, ensuring wide applicability of the present determination method.

[0092] A further advantage is that it allows for simple and reliable long-term detection of cardiac precordial motion (SCG signal), which also allows for reliable long-term determination of ABP signals, especially over 24 hours. Also advantageous is that the required sensors are cost effective and are already installed in many available devices and can therefore be used to implement the present determination method. Similarly, the proposed method can be applied to convert an already determined SCG signal 2 into an ABP signal 1, which is of particular interest in scientific research.

[0093] Furthermore, a system for determining an ABP signal is proposed, which preferably comprises at least one detection means for detecting at least one cardiac motion induced signal and at least one calculation means. As explained above, the detecting means and the calculating means are preferably each part of the device. However, it is also preferred that the detection means and the at least one calculation means are part of different devices. It is also conceivable, and a preferred embodiment, that the ABP signal determination system comprises a plurality of detection means for detecting signals resulting from a plurality of cardiac movements.

[0094] Furthermore, the detected at least one cardiac motion induced signal can be converted into at least one ABP signal by the calculation means. For this purpose, it may be necessary to transmit the signals detected by the detection means to the calculation means, for example by means of a transmission system. According to the system for determining an ABP signal of the present invention, the predetermined transformation is performed by a model determined by machine learning. Furthermore, the signal due to the heart movement will constitute the input value and the ABP signal will constitute the output value of the transformation.

[0095] The system for determining an ABP signal of the present invention includes the related mentioned advantages and makes it advantageous to implement the method for determining an ABP signal according to one of the embodiments described in the disclosed specification. Therefore, the system for determining an ABP signal of the present invention is configured so that such a determination method can be implemented using the system.

[0096] In another embodiment, the detection means is preferably integrated into the incubator, for example, the detection means may comprise a Doppler radar sensor, which may be arranged in the ceiling of the incubator, in particular so that the chest of a patient lying on the mattress of the incubator is located within the detection range of the radar sensor. Alternatively, the detection means may preferably be configured or embodied as an acceleration sensor located at the bottom of the incubator or in / on the mattress.

[0097] Alternatively, the detection means can be placed in the bed, in particular in a hospital bed: if the detection means is implemented, for example, as a Doppler radar sensor, it can be placed under the mattress or above the bed, for example mounted on a lifting pole.

[0098] Similarly, it is conceivable to implement the detection means as an acceleration sensor located in / on the mattress or in / on the bed base as previously described. It is also possible to mount and implement the detection means as a pressure sensor located in / on the mattress of the bed.

[0099] Furthermore, the detection means may alternatively be preferably integrated into the vehicle seat, whereby the detection means implemented as a Doppler radar sensor may for example be preferably arranged in / on the seat back. It is also preferable to arrange the detecting means implemented as a pressure sensor in / on the seat back, as well as the detecting means implemented as an acceleration sensor. Further, the detection means may be built into a cardiac pacemaker. Alternatively, the detection means may be preferably incorporated into or part of a pet product, such as a chest strap, halter, collar, or the like.

[0100] Therefore, it is preferred to also include a system for determining an ABP signal for generating and determining an ABP signal, the determination system consisting of an incubator and the detection means being located in / on the incubator or in / on the mattress of the incubator. That is, a system for determining an ABP signal is described, which system is made up of a bed, with the detection means being located in / on the bed or in / on the mattress of the bed. It is therefore also preferred to configure the system for determining an ABP signal, the system comprising a vehicle seat, the detection means being arranged in / on the vehicle seat. It is also preferred that the system for determining an ABP signal further comprises a cardiac pacemaker, and the detection means is configured as a system located in / on the cardiac pacemaker. Furthermore, a system for determining an ABP signal is described, which system further comprises a pet article, and preferably the detection means is arranged in / on the pet article. Of course, other applications for the ABP signal determination system are also contemplated, including incubators, beds, mattresses, car seats, cardiac pacemakers, and pet products that include at least the detection means of such a system.

[0101] Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed which includes a given computer program. Therefore, such a computer program preferably comprises software means for performing one, several or all steps of the method for determining an ABP signal according to one of the embodiments described in the present disclosure when the computer program is executed by a computer or an automation system or in a computer system.

[0102] Furthermore, it is preferably a program which, when executed on a computer or in an automation system, causes the computer or automation system to perform one, several or all steps of the method for determining an ABP signal according to one of the embodiments described in the present disclosure. Additionally or solely, it is also preferred that the program is a program as described above, in particular a program storage medium stored in a non-transitory form, and / or a computer constituting the program storage medium, and / or a physical, e.g. electrical, e.g. technologically determined signal wave, e.g. a digital signal wave carrying information representing the program, e.g. code means capable of executing one or all of the process steps described herein.

[0103] This means that the decision method according to the invention is, for example, a computer-implemented method. For example, it is also preferable that all steps, some steps, or less than all steps of the determination method according to the present invention are performed by a computer. An embodiment of a computer-implemented method is the use of a computer to implement a data processing method. For example, the computer preferably comprises at least one microcontroller or processor and at least one memory for (technically) processing data, for example electronically and / or optically. It is also preferred that the processor is made of a semiconductor, for example, at least in part, an n-type doped semiconductor and / or a p-type doped semiconductor, at least a II, III, IV, V, or Vl semiconductor material, doped silicon, and / or gallium arsenide, or a composition of matter as a mixture thereof. The steps described, in particular the transformations, are preferably implemented by a computer, for example. Determining, calculating or transforming steps are steps for determining data within the scope of a technical method or within a program, etc. Here, a computer is any type of data processing device, for example, an electronic data processing device, and may be any device commonly considered as such, such as a desktop PC, notebook, netbook, etc., but is also preferably a programmable device, such as a mobile phone or an embedded processor. Thus, a computer may include a system (network) of "sub-computers", each sub-computer representing a separate computer. The steps executed or performed by a computer or automated system are preferably, in particular, determination steps and / or verification steps.

[0104] The computer program product advantageously realizes the implementation of the method for determining an ABP signal according to one of the embodiments described in the present disclosure, and its technical advantages are as described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0105] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for determining an ABP signal according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram serving to explain a system for determining an ABP signal according to the present invention, according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram serving to explain a system for determining an ABP signal according to the present invention, according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram that serves to explain the determination method according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system for determining an ABP signal according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a system for determining an ABP signal according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a system for determining an ABP signal according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram serving to explain an exemplary application of the determination method according to the invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram provided to explain a system for determining an ABP signal including an incubator. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system that serves to explain a system for determining an ABP signal including a hospital bed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a system used to explain a system for determining an ABP signal including a vehicle seat. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram provided to explain the determination method according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram provided to explain the determination / learning of the neural network shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic flow chart provided to explain a determination method according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15(a) is a schematic diagram provided to illustrate a dog strap including a detection means of a system for determining an ABP signal, and FIG. 15(b) is a schematic diagram provided to illustrate a holter including a detection means of a system for generating an ABP signal. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram provided to illustrate a pacemaker including a system for determining an ABP signal. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram provided to explain the weighting of different signal parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0106] In the following description, the same reference numerals shown in the figures will denote elements having the same or similar technical features.

[0107] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for determining an ABP signal 1. Here, a cardiac motion induced signal embodied by an SCG signal 2 is detected. This is done by an SCG detection means S, which will be explained in more detail below. The detected SCG signal 2 is then converted into an ABP signal 1 by a conversion unit T, which is preferably implemented in particular as or consists of a calculation means. Alternatively or additionally, a PCG signal may also be detected as a cardiac motion induced signal and converted, for example, by a PCG detection means, into an ABP signal 1. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, a BCG signal may also be detected as a cardiac motion induced signal and converted, for example, by a BCG detection means, into an ABP signal 1.

[0108] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1 (see Figure 1). The system 3 consists of an SCG detection means S and at least one transformation unit T implemented as a calculation means. The SCG detection means and the transformation unit are shown to be part of a device 4, for example a mobile phone.

[0109] 3 is an illustration of a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1 according to another embodiment. As explained above, the system 3 preferably comprises an SCG detection means S and a transformation unit T implemented as a calculation means. Further shown is a display means A on which the ABP signal 1 is visualized. Here, the SCG detection means S, the conversion unit T and the display means A are shown to be part of the device 4.

[0110] The SCG detection means shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be implemented as, for example, an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, or a radar sensor, particularly a Doppler radar sensor, and may preferably be configured with such a sensor or the like. Similarly, the SCG detection means may be preferably implemented as a gyro sensor or may be composed of such a gyro sensor.

[0111] Figure 4 shows a schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention, where an SCG signal is detected in a detection step S1, in particular by the SCG detection means S described above. In an optional filtering step S2, the SCG signal 2 thus detected is filtered, for example high-pass filtered. A so-called detrending of the SCG signal 2 can also be performed. In a conversion step S3, which may be implemented in a conversion unit T, the SCG signal is converted into an ABP signal. Thus, the electrocardiogram can also be converted into a continuous aortic blood pressure signal.The conversion step S3 may also consist of several partial conversions. In a post-processing step S4, the ABP signal thus determined or the aortic blood pressure signal thus determined is stored, transmitted to at least one other system and / or visualized, for example on a suitable display means A.

[0112] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1 (see FIG. 1) according to another embodiment. The SCG signal 2 (see FIG. 1) can be detected by the SCG detection means S. The device further comprises communication means K for data transmission between the device 4 and other devices. This HUB means 5 includes a conversion unit T implemented as a computing means and a communication means K for receiving the transmitted SCG signals. Furthermore, the conversion of the SCG signal 2 into the ABP signal 1 is performed by the HUB means 5 . The ABP signal 1 determined in this way can be displayed on a display means (not shown) of the HUB means 5. It is also possible for the data to be stored in a storage means of the HUB means 5 (not shown) and further transmitted by the communication means K.

[0113] FIG. 6 is another illustration of a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the SCG signal 2 determined by the SCG detection means S is transmitted via communication means K to server means 6 which provide a so-called cloud-based service. This server means 6 also preferably includes a conversion unit T, not shown, which performs the conversion of the SCG signals 2 sent by the devices 4 into ABP signals 1 . 6 shows that the converted signal, i.e. the ABP signal 1, is retransmitted to the device 4 and received by the communication means K of the device 4. The ABP signal thus received can then be stored, further processed or visualized by the device 4, for example by a display means A of the device 4, not shown. Here, at least one post-processing step can be executed by the HUB means 5 or the server means 6. Also, it is possible that one, some but not all, or all of the post-processing steps described above can be executed by the HUB means 5 or the external server means 6.

[0114] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the SCG signal 2 detected by the SCG detection means S of the device 4 is sent to the server means 6, whose conversion unit performs conversion into the ABP signal 1 via the communication means K of the device 4. The ABP signal 1 converted in this way is sent by the server means 6 to another device 7 and received by the communication means K of the other device 7. Furthermore, the ABP signal 1 determined in this manner is then stored in a memory means of the other device 7, further processed by a calculation means of the other device 7, and displayed by a display means (not shown) of the other device 7.

[0115] FIG. 8 shows a schematic application of the system 3 (see, for example, FIG. 2) for determining the ABP signal 1. Here, a device implemented as a mobile phone (4) including SCG detection means S, not shown, and a conversion unit T implemented as calculation means, is placed on the chest of a user / patient 8. Of course, instead of the mobile phone (4), it is also conceivable to use another device including SCG detection means S. By the SCG detection means S, an SCG signal 2 is determined, which is converted by a conversion unit (not shown) of the device 4 into an ABP signal 1 and visualized by a display means A of the device 4.

[0116] 9 is an illustration of a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1 (see FIG. 1) according to another embodiment. The system 3 preferably comprises an incubator 9 and a patient 8 (e.g., a premature baby) lying on a mattress 10 within the incubator 9. The incubator 9 preferably further comprises a lid 11 that covers the resting space for the patient 8. An SCG detection means S implemented as a Doppler radar sensor 12 is preferably arranged on the lid. Here, the Doppler radar sensor 12 is positioned so that the chest of the patient 8 is located within the detection range of the Doppler radar sensor 12. Alternatively, the SCG detection means S implemented as, for example, a pressure sensor or an acceleration sensor, can be positioned in / on the mattress 10 or in / on the bottom of the incubator 9 on which the mattress 10 is supported. If the patient 8 is a premature or newborn baby, the influence of interference from other people around the incubator 9 can be reliably reduced, especially since the newborn's cardiac frequency is relatively high, so that by appropriate filtering methods an ABP signal 1 can be determined that is completely or largely free of environmental artifacts.

[0117] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1 (see FIG. 1) according to another embodiment. The system 3 consists of a bed 13 including a mattress 14. The system 3 preferably further comprises an SCG detection means S implemented as a pressure sensor or an acceleration sensor 15 arranged in / on the mattress 14. Of course, it is also conceivable to use a Doppler radar sensor, for example, placed on the lifting pole 16 of the bed 13 .

[0118] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1 (see FIG. 1) according to another embodiment. Here, the system 3 is composed of a vehicle seat 17 and an SCG detection means S implemented as a pressure or acceleration sensor 18 arranged in the backrest of the vehicle seat 17. Of course, it is also conceivable that the SCG detection means S is implemented as a Doppler radar sensor and placed in / on the backrest or in any other suitable manner in the vehicle.

[0119] Apart from the usual monitoring of vital data, particularly blood pressure, and diagnosing conditions based on usual blood pressure, the embodiments shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 allow for inexpensive, continuous and non-invasive monitoring and therefore detection of conditions that may not have been diagnosed before, such as previously undiagnosed hypertension.

[0120] 12 is a schematic diagram of the method according to the invention in another embodiment, where it is shown that the SCG signals 2 constitute the input data of a neural network NN which performs a conversion from SCG signals to ABP signals 1. Therefore, the output signal of the neural network NN is the ABP signal 1 determined as proposed. In this case, the transformation unit T is embodied as a neural network NN, consists of a neural network NN or can perform the functions of a neural network NN.

[0121] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the creation / training of the neural network NN shown in FIG. In this process, training data in the form of simultaneously detected SCG signals 2 and ABP signals 1 are input to the neural network NN, and the parameters of the neural network NN are adapted so that the output data of the neural network NN, the ABP signals 1 determined by the neural network, have the smallest deviation from the ABP signals of the training data set. The training data set is also derived from combined measurements of ABP signals and electrocardiogram, i.e., SCG signals.

[0122] To generate training data, we simultaneously recorded a continuous aortic blood pressure signal and a seismic intensity signal. For recording and detecting SCG signals, we used an ECG unit, Shimmer3, sold by Shimmer Research Ltd. This system allows simultaneous detection of ECG and SCG signals. In parallel, invasive clinical aortic blood pressure measurements were performed to detect the ABP signal, and clinical surface ECGs to detect the ECG signal were recorded using a Philips clinical electrophysiology system. The two detected ECG signals (Shimmer3-ECG signal and clinical surface ECG signal), especially section I of each ECG signal, were used to synchronize the SCG signal and the ABP signal. Subsequently, the remaining asynchronies were corrected, especially with the help of the so-called dynamic time warping (DTW) method, or automated individual segment shifting.

[0123] FIG. 14 is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the present invention in another embodiment. In a first pre-detection step S0a, the operability of the detection means S for detecting signals due to cardiac motion is determined. If operability is given, the signal quality of the signal detected by the detection means S is determined in a second pre-detection step S0b. If operability is not given, the method is interrupted and, if appropriate, an error signal is output to the user.

[0124] If the signal quality is higher than a predetermined threshold, in a third pre-detection step S0c the spatial position and / or orientation of the detection means S relative to the heart is determined. If the signal quality is not higher than a predetermined threshold, the method is interrupted and, if appropriate, an error signal is output to the user.If the relative position, as a predetermined location, does not deviate from the target relative position by more than a predetermined amount, the SCG signal is detected in a detection step S1, in particular by the aforementioned SCG detection means S, as already explained with reference to Figure 4 above. The other steps S2, S3, and S4 are the same as steps S2, S3, and S4 shown in Figure 4, so please refer to the related explanations. If the relative position deviates from the target relative position by more than a predetermined amount, the method is interrupted and an error signal is output to the user, if necessary. A signal for repositioning may also be output to the user.

[0125] FIG. 15( a ) is a schematic diagram of a dog strap 19 including an SCG detection means S of a system 3 (see FIG. 1 ) for determining an ABP signal 1 . The illustrated SCG detection means S is implemented as an acceleration sensor 18 . The SCG detection means S is also shown with the dog strap 19 positioned in a position that will contact the chest of the dog 20 wearing the dog strap 19 as intended.

[0126] FIG. 15(b) is a schematic diagram of a horse halter 21 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the halter 21) including the SCG detection means S of the system 3 (see FIG. 1) for determining the ABP signal 1. The SCG detection means S is implemented as an acceleration sensor 18. The SCG detection means S is also shown to be positioned such that the halter 21 contacts the upper back of the horse 22 on which the halter 21 is intended to be worn. However, it is also conceivable to place the SCG detection means S on the part of the halter 21 that is in contact with the abdomen or chest of the horse 22 that is intentionally wearing the halter 21.

[0127] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a pacemaker 23 including a system 3 for determining an ABP signal 1. Shown is a pacemaker 23, a rate-adaptive cardiac pacemaker, consisting of an SCG detection means S implemented as an acceleration sensor 18. Not shown are communication means K of the pacemaker 23, which are able to transmit the ABP signal 1 determined by the conversion to a device outside the body, for example a display means A or a server means 6. However, it is not essential that the pacemaker 23 is equipped with the conversion unit T. For example, the pacemaker 23 may not be equipped with the conversion unit T, and the output signal (raw signal) of the SCG detection means S may be transmitted via communication means K to, for example, a calculation means outside the pacemaker.

[0128] FIG. 17 is an exemplary illustration of the weighting of various signal portions for analyzing the error function. The figure above shows an ABP signal, which has two distinct signal portions SA1 and SA2, each enclosed in a rectangle. The first signal portion SA1 is a signal corresponding to the systolic portion, and the second signal portion is a signal corresponding to the diastolic portion. The second line located in the center indicates the weighting coefficients w1 and w2 assigned to the individual signal portions SA1 and SA2. For example, the first weighting coefficient w1 is assigned to the first signal portion SA1, and the second weighting coefficient w2 is assigned to the second signal portion SA2. It can be seen that the first weighting coefficient w1 is smaller than the second weighting coefficient w2. However, the weighting coefficients can also be greater than 1. However, it is also possible that all weighting coefficients w1, w2 are equal to or greater than 1, so that the signal portions SA1, SA2 associated with the ABP are weighted higher relative to the remaining signal portions not associated with the ABP. The third lower line shows the signal curve of the weighted ABP signal, in which the amplitude of the ABP signal in the first signal portion SA1 is weighted, in particular multiplied by a first weighting factor w1, and in the second signal portion SA2 is multiplied by a second weighting factor w2. Weighting is also performed by convolving the ABP signal with a window function. This weighting allows in particular to perform amplitude correction, thereby avoiding large signal variations being weighted higher than small variations, as occurs for example in deviation determination using the mean square error method. However, in the case of an ABP signal, a small rise, for example a rise in the signal curve bordered by the first signal portion SA1, may contain important information. In this way, it is conceivable that different signal portions of the ABP signal determined by the transformation and different signal portions of the reference ABP signal are weighted, and after weighting, the deviation between the weighted signals is determined in order to train a model for the transformation, in particular a neural network.

Claims

1. A method for determining an ABP signal (1), comprising: detecting at least one cardiac motion-induced signal; and converting the at least one detected cardiac motion-induced signal into at least one ABP signal (1), the converting step is performed by a model determined by machine learning, and during the execution, without extracting features, the step of converting the cardiac motion-induced signal into the ABP signal by using the unprocessed cardiac motion-induced signal or the filtered cardiac motion-induced signal as an input value as a signal resulting from cardiac motion and the ABP signal as the converted output value; 10. A method for determining an ABP signal, wherein said at least one cardiac motion-evoked signal is an SCG signal.

2. A method for determining an ABP signal (1), comprising: detecting at least one cardiac motion-induced signal; and converting the at least one detected cardiac motion-induced signal into at least one ABP signal (1), the converting step is performed by a model determined by machine learning, and during the execution, without extracting features, the step of converting the cardiac motion-induced signal into the ABP signal by using the unprocessed cardiac motion-induced signal or the filtered cardiac motion-induced signal as an input value as a signal resulting from cardiac motion and the ABP signal as the converted output value; 10. A method for determining an ABP signal, wherein said at least one cardiac motion evoked signal is a PCG signal.

3. A method for determining an ABP signal (1), comprising: detecting at least one cardiac motion-induced signal; and converting the at least one detected cardiac motion-induced signal into at least one ABP signal (1), the converting step is performed by a model determined by machine learning, and during the execution, without extracting features, the step of converting the cardiac motion-induced signal into the ABP signal by using the unprocessed cardiac motion-induced signal or the filtered cardiac motion-induced signal as an input value as a signal resulting from cardiac motion and the ABP signal as the converted output value; 10. A method for determining an ABP signal, wherein said at least one cardiac motion induced signal is a BCG signal.

4. Method for determining an ABP signal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transformation is performed by a neural network (NN).

5. 5. The method for determining an ABP signal according to claim 4, wherein the neural network is a convolutional neural network.

6. 4. The method for determining an ABP signal according to claim 1, wherein, to determine the model, an error function is analyzed to determine the deviation between the ABP signal determined by the transformation and a reference ABP signal, and in the analysis of the error function, different signal parts of the ABP signal determined by the transformation and / or the reference ABP signal and / or the deviation are weighted differently.

7. A method for determining an ABP signal as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one cardiac motion-induced signal is detected non-contact.

8. A method for determining an ABP signal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one cardiac motion induced signal is filtered before the conversion, and the filtered cardiac motion induced signal is converted into the ABP signal (1).

9. A method for determining an ABP signal described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one cardiac motion induced signal is generated by a detection means of a device (4) and the conversion is performed by a calculation means (T) of the device (4), or the cardiac motion induced signal is transmitted to a calculation means (T) of another device and the conversion is performed by a calculation means (T) of the other device.

10. A method for determining an ABP signal as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one cardiac motion-induced signal is generated by a detection means of a device (4), and the ABP signal (1) determined by the conversion is displayed on a display means (A) of the device (4), or the at least one cardiac motion-induced signal is transmitted to a display means of another device and displayed by the display means of the other device.

11. Before converting the at least one cardiac motion induced signal, a functional test of the detection means is performed, and when the functional test is performed, the cardiac motion induced signal is converted only if operability is detected; and / or, prior to conversion of said at least one cardiac motion induced signal, a signal quality of the detected signal is determined, and said cardiac motion induced signal is converted only if, upon determining said signal quality, said signal quality is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; and / or a method for determining an ABP signal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that before converting the at least one cardiac movement evoked signal, a position of the detection means relative to the heart is determined, and when the position of the detection means is determined, the cardiac movement evoked signal either corresponds to a predetermined position for the position of the detection means, or is converted only if the position of the detection means deviates from the predetermined position by less than a predetermined amount.

12. A method for determining an ABP signal as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detected cardiac motion induced signal is the only input value during conversion.

13. A method for determining an ABP signal as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ABP signal is an ABP signal that is determined continuously.

14. A method for determining an ABP signal as described in claim 13, characterized in that the continuously determined ABP signal defines the blood pressure at each point in a predetermined determination period.

15. 1. A system for determining an ABP signal (1), the determination system (3) comprising at least one detection means and at least one calculation means (T), wherein at least one detected cardiac motion-induced signal can be converted into at least one ABP signal (1) by the calculation means (T), the conversion being performed by a model determined by machine learning, without extracting features, and comprising: converting the cardiac motion-induced signal into the ABP signal using an unprocessed cardiac motion-induced signal or a filtered cardiac motion-induced signal as an input value for the conversion as a signal resulting from cardiac motion; and converting the ABP signal (1) into the ABP signal as the converted output value; wherein the at least one cardiac motion-induced signal is an SCG signal.

16. 1. A system for determining an ABP signal (1), the determination system (3) comprising at least one detection means and at least one calculation means (T), wherein at least one detected cardiac motion-induced signal can be converted into at least one ABP signal (1) by the calculation means (T), the conversion being performed by a model determined by machine learning, without extracting features, and comprising: converting the cardiac motion-induced signal into the ABP signal using an unprocessed cardiac motion-induced signal or a filtered cardiac motion-induced signal as an input value for the conversion as a signal resulting from cardiac motion; and converting the ABP signal (1) into the ABP signal as the converted output value; wherein the at least one cardiac motion-induced signal is a PCG signal.

17. 1. A system for determining an ABP signal (1), the determination system (3) comprising at least one detection means and at least one calculation means (T), wherein at least one detected cardiac motion-induced signal can be converted into at least one ABP signal (1) by the calculation means (T), the conversion being performed by a model determined by machine learning, without extracting features, and comprising: converting the cardiac motion-induced signal into the ABP signal using the unprocessed cardiac motion-induced signal or the filtered cardiac motion-induced signal as a signal caused by cardiac motion as an input value for the conversion; and the ABP signal (1) as the converted output value; wherein the at least one cardiac motion-induced signal is a BCG signal.

18. The system for determining an ABP signal according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the detection means is integrated inside at least one of an incubator (9), a bed (13), a vehicle seat (17), a cardiac pacemaker, or a pet product.

19. 4. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that said computer program comprises software means for performing all the steps of the method for determining an ABP signal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 when said computer program is executed on a computer, an automation system or a computer system.

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