ECG Device for Brugada Syndrome Diagnosis via ST Segment Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing Brugada syndrome and Early Repolarization Syndrome are hindered by variability in manual interpretation of ST segment elevation, lack of immediate analysis, and uncertainty in defining the temporal origin of the ST segment, leading to inconsistent and time-consuming diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An electrocardiological device that automatically quantifies ST segment elevation on right precordial ECG leads by defining a time window relative to the QRS complex onset, calculating an elevation index, and analyzing its persistence and variation over heartbeats, providing immediate and sensitive analysis with reduced interpretation bias.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual interpretation of ST segment elevation is used, then diagnostic flexibility is maintained, but measurement precision and consistency deteriorate due to high variability between practitioners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement process (practitioners using rulers on ECG strips) with an automated digital signal processing system. The device automatically detects the J point, defines the ST segment window, and calculates elevation values, eliminating human variability and improving measurement precision through consistent algorithmic application.
2Productivity
If visual and manual interpretation of ST segment elevation is used, then diagnostic judgment is preserved, but analysis time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary automatic analysis of the ECG signal, pre-calculating ST segment elevation values and identifying abnormal patterns before practitioner review. This preliminary processing filters out normal cases and highlights only those requiring detailed examination, significantly reducing the time practitioners spend on routine analyses.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual inspection process is replaced with automated computer-based analysis that processes ECG signals instantaneously, providing diagnostic results in real-time without the time-consuming manual measurement and interpretation steps.
3Reliability
If point J is used as temporal reference for ST segment analysis, then analysis simplicity is maintained, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to significant uncertainty in point J identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic J point reference from the analysis system. Instead of relying on the uncertain J point junction, the device uses alternative temporal references such as the QRS complex onset or predefined time intervals after QRS, thereby removing the source of measurement uncertainty and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal reference parameter from the J point (which has high uncertainty) to more reliably detectable features such as QRS onset or fixed time intervals. This parameter substitution fundamentally improves the reliability of ST segment elevation measurements by anchoring them to more stable and consistently identifiable signal features.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has extractor units isolating a segment with samples of a ventricular repolarization wave, from an electrocardiography signal for each cardiac beating, where the segment is taken inside a temporal window of a preset time extending from the window's start instant. Quantization units calculate an elevation index of the segment relative to a preset reference level (BT). Analysis units analyze persistence and variation of the index on the cardiac beatings. Determination units determine temporal position of a point on the signal at each cardiac beating.