Corrupted ECG Asystole Detection for Continuous CPR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic ECG rhythm analysis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is unreliable due to chest compression artifacts, leading to incorrect shock advisory for non-shockable rhythms like asystole, which can be misidentified as shockable, and interrupting CPR for analysis adversely affects patient survival.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes both filtered and corrupted ECG waveforms to detect asystole by extracting specific signal features like amplitude spectrum area and power of first difference, allowing accurate classification without interrupting chest compressions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If chest compression is interrupted for automated ECG rhythm analysis, then rhythm classification accuracy is improved, but patient survival probability deteriorates due to increased hands-off time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverhythm classification accuracyVSAvoidhands-off time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous chest compression without interruption by performing automated rhythm analysis on corrupted ECG waveforms during compression. The analysis algorithm processes the noisy signal in real-time, eliminating the need to pause compressions for rhythm assessment, thus maintaining continuous perfusion to the brain and heart.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary signal processing algorithm that acts as a mediator between the corrupted ECG signal and the rhythm classification decision. This algorithm filters and analyzes the noisy waveform during compression, enabling accurate rhythm detection without requiring signal quality improvement through compression interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If filter-based techniques are used to remove CC artifact from ECG waveform, then rhythm analysis reliability is improved, but asystole detection accuracy deteriorates due to residual artifacts mimicking shockable rhythms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverhythm analysis reliabilityVSAvoidasystole detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful CC artifact into a beneficial feature by designing the analysis algorithm to recognize patterns specific to asystole that persist even during compression. Instead of treating the noisy waveform as unusable, the algorithm identifies characteristic features of asystole within the corruption, turning the previously harmful noise into acceptable signal conditions for detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the analysis parameters from traditional clean-signal assumptions to parameters optimized for corrupted signals. The algorithm uses amplitude spectrum area and power of first difference calculations that are specifically tuned to detect asystole characteristics in the presence of compression artifacts, rather than relying on conventional ECG analysis parameters that fail with noisy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional shock advisory algorithms are applied to corrupted ECG waveforms, then automated shock advisory during CPR is enabled, but false shock recommendations increase for asystole rhythms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated shock advisory capabilityVSAvoidshock advisory accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the analysis into two distinct stages: first detecting asystole using specialized algorithms on corrupted waveforms, then applying traditional shock advisory logic only to non-asystole rhythms. This segmentation prevents false shock recommendations by excluding asystole cases from shock consideration, while still enabling automated advisory for genuine shockable rhythms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the traditional approach of assuming shockability and then filtering out non-shockable rhythms, the system inverts the logic by first detecting asystole (a non-shockable rhythm) and then recommending shock only for remaining cases. This inversion fundamentally changes the decision flow to prioritize false negative prevention over false positive reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12414728B2Asystole detection for cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 EVEREST ACQUISITION ENTITY LLC

AI summary

A patient monitoring device (20) employing an ECG monitor (24) and a controller (26). In operation, the ECG monitor (24) monitors a corrupted ECG waveform (30), and the controller (26) classifies the corrupted ECG waveform (30) as one of a non-shockable rhythm or a potentially shockable rhythm. The corrupted ECG waveform (30) is classified by the controller (26) as the non-shockable rhythm responsive to a detection by the controller (26) of a presence of an asystole rhythm within the corrupted ECG waveform (30). Conversely, the corrupted ECG waveform (30) is classified by the controller (26) as the potentially shockable rhythm responsive to a detection by the controller (26) of an absence of the asystole rhythm within the corrupted ECG waveform (30) or an indetermination by the controller (26) as to the presence of the asystole rhythm within the corrupted ECG waveform (30).