Cardiac Signal Pattern Display for Low-Amplitude EP Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac electrophysiology (EP) systems face challenges in accurately detecting and recording low-amplitude, high-frequency cardiac signals during ablation procedures due to noise interference, and they struggle to simultaneously process and display multiple signal versions in real-time, leading to incomplete treatment of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
Innovation Solution
The development of an EP system that uses software-based digital signal processing to filter and process cardiac signals in real-time, allowing for the simultaneous display of raw and processed signals, with minimal hardware filtering, and the ability to apply multiple signal processing algorithms simultaneously, while synchronizing signals for accurate visualization and decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional hardware filtering is used to reduce noise during ablation, then noise is reduced, but low-amplitude high-frequency cardiac signals are distorted or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional hardware filtering (mechanical/electrical system) with software-based digital signal processing. The system acquires raw cardiac signals during ablation without aggressive hardware filtering, then applies digital filtering and processing algorithms in software to reduce noise while preserving the integrity of low-amplitude high-frequency signals. This substitution allows flexible, adaptive noise reduction that does not distort the original signal characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary signal acquisition and conditioning with minimal filtering, then applies sophisticated digital signal processing algorithms in subsequent stages. By acquiring the full-bandwidth signal first and then selectively filtering in the digital domain, the system preserves all original signal information while enabling effective noise reduction through algorithms that can distinguish between noise and genuine cardiac signals based on their temporal and spectral characteristics.
2Measurement precision
If multiple signal processing algorithms are applied simultaneously, then signal quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct modular stages: signal acquisition, digital filtering, noise reduction algorithms, and visualization. Each stage can be independently configured and processed. The system divides the complex processing task into manageable components that can be applied sequentially or in parallel, making the overall system more manageable while achieving high signal quality through the combination of multiple specialized algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts and applies different signal processing algorithms based on the specific characteristics of the acquired signals and the procedural needs. The processing pipeline is flexible and adaptive, allowing the selection and configuration of appropriate filtering and enhancement algorithms in real-time based on signal quality metrics and clinical requirements, rather than using a fixed complex processing chain.
3Measurement precision
If real-time signal processing is implemented, then treatment accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic processing of cardiac signals at optimized intervals that balance real-time requirements with computational efficiency. Rather than continuously processing every sample at maximum computational intensity, the system applies sophisticated algorithms at strategically determined intervals based on signal characteristics and procedural context, maintaining treatment accuracy while reducing overall processing time and computational load.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for displaying cardiac signals based on a signal pattern. An embodiment operates by accessing an input cardiac signal. The embodiment matches a portion of the input cardiac signal to a known signal pattern. The embodiment then displays an indication of a degree of the match.