Cardiac Episode Early Warning via 3D Waveform Space Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ECG diagnostics are insufficient for early detection of cardiac pathology, as they provide only partial information and are not sensitive or specific enough for early identification of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, often requiring additional tests and being non-specific in results.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that collect and analyze a series of heartbeat waveforms to generate a heartbeat waveform space, project test waveforms onto this space to obtain a pathology descriptive deflections (PDD) vector, calculate a score based on this vector, and provide clinical indications for cardiac pathology, including early warnings for potential cardiac episodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ECG diagnosis is used, then the method is simple and widely available, but the sensitivity and specificity for early detection of cardiac pathology are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ECG waveform into multiple characteristic intervals (P wave, QRS complex, T wave, U wave) and extracts specific features from each segment. This segmentation allows detailed analysis of individual waveform components while maintaining the overall simplicity of ECG-based diagnosis, thereby improving detection sensitivity without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D ECG waveform analysis to 3D heartbeat waveform space analysis by adding a temporal dimension through multiple sequential ECG recordings. This dimensional expansion enables more comprehensive characterization of cardiac pathology while building upon the familiar ECG framework, balancing improved precision with manageable complexity.
2Loss of information
If a single ECG recording is analyzed, then the analysis is fast and simple, but it provides only partial information on cardiac function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis by collecting multiple sequential ECG recordings over time and pre-processing them into a 3D heartbeat waveform space before actual pathology detection. This preliminary action captures comprehensive cardiac function information in advance, allowing faster and more accurate detection during actual use without requiring excessive analysis time when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous or repeated ECG monitoring to capture cardiac function information continuously over time. This continuous data collection ensures complete information about cardiac pathology development while the efficient 3D waveform space analysis methodology prevents excessive time loss in processing the continuous data stream.
3Measurement precision
If biochemical marker analysis is used for definitive diagnosis, then the diagnostic accuracy is improved, but it is non real-time and slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical biochemical marker analysis system with an electrical signal processing system that analyzes ECG waveforms. This substitution maintains high diagnostic accuracy by detecting subtle waveform changes associated with cardiac pathology while achieving real-time detection capability, as electrical signal processing is inherently faster than biochemical assays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters from biochemical markers to electrical waveform characteristics. By analyzing temporal, amplitude, and morphological parameters of ECG waves in 3D waveform space, the system achieves diagnostic accuracy comparable to or exceeding biochemical markers while providing real-time feedback, thus resolving the speed-accuracy trade-off.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods and systems for monitoring cardiac function. A series of heartbeat waveforms is collected during a pre-determined time period. The series is collected either from an individual or a plurality of individuals. A heartbeat waveform space is generated based on the series of heartbeat waveforms. A test heartbeat waveform is projected onto the heartbeat waveform space. The projected heartbeat waveform is subtracted from the test heartbeat waveform to obtain a pathology descriptive deflections (PDD) vector. A score is calculated based on the PDD vector. Based on the score, a clinical indication associated with at least one disease is provided. The clinical indication includes a warning message regarding an upcoming cardiac episode or a measure of progression or regression of at least one cardiac pathology.