Diagnostic ECG Signal Transmission with Local Monitor Derivation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ECG signal analysis in clinical settings is hindered by noise contamination from artifact signals, leading to precision and accuracy issues, and the transmission of both Diagnostic Quality and Monitor Quality signals congests computing networks, limiting device functionality and requiring increased computational capacity.

Innovation Solution

The technique involves autoblocking Diagnostic Quality ECG signals at the point of acquisition and consumption, using a high-pass filter to correct baseline wander, allowing retrospective analysis and display of Monitor Quality waveforms from the same data, reducing network congestion by transmitting only Diagnostic Quality signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both Diagnostic Quality and Monitor Quality ECG signals are transmitted, then complete signal functionality is provided, but network congestion increases and computational capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal functionalityVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the essential Diagnostic Quality ECG signals over the network, while Monitor Quality signals are generated locally at the consumer device through downsampling and filtering. This eliminates the need to transmit redundant Monitor Quality data, reducing network traffic while maintaining complete signal functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing step where Diagnostic Quality signals are transmitted over the network, and then locally converted to Monitor Quality signals at the consumer device. This intermediary approach allows a single transmission to serve multiple quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ECG signals are transmitted at Diagnostic Quality rate, then retrospective analysis capability is enabled, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrospective analysis capabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary autoblocking processing to ECG signals at the point of acquisition before transmission. This preprocessing removes baseline wander and reduces the need for high-resolution transmission, enabling retrospective analysis with reduced bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sampling rate parameter from Diagnostic Quality (500 sps) to Monitor Quality (250 sps) through downsampling at the consumer device. This parameter transformation allows high-quality transmission to serve dual purposes: immediate monitoring and retrospective analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If high-pass filtering is applied to correct baseline wander, then signal accuracy improves, but artifact signals may be introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal accuracyVSAvoidartifact signals

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies autoblocking as a preliminary action before signal transmission and processing. By correcting baseline wander at the source through high-pass filtering, the system improves signal accuracy while minimizing the introduction of artifacts during subsequent processing and transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms to monitor and detect artifact signals introduced by filtering. This allows the system to identify and compensate for filtering-induced artifacts, maintaining signal accuracy while minimizing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient retrospective ECG analysis and display of Monitor Quality waveforms while minimizing network congestion and artifact introduction, facilitating 12-lead rest ECG reports and S-T segment analysis without increasing computational demands.

Implementation Method 1

using a high-pass filter to correct baseline wander

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS20250302302A1Network representation of diagnostic ECG signals

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 DRAEGER MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A technique described herein reduces congestion and traffic on the computing system of a clinical care system, thereby easing problems created by such congestion and traffic. Diagnostic Quality ECG signals are transmitted over a computer system by a provider device. Monitor Quality signals consumed by consumer devices of the clinical care system may be derived from the Diagnostic Quality signals on the consumer side. Thus, only the Diagnostic Quality signals need be transmitted over the computing system. (In some embodiments the Monitor Quality signals may nevertheless be transmitted over the computing network should this be desired.) The bandwidth of the computing system therefore need only accommodate the Diagnostic Quality signals. Autoblocking on both the provider and consumer sides of the clinical care system prevents, or at least inhibits, the introduction of undesirable artifacts in the transmitted Diagnostic Quality signals that would otherwise be present due to the transmission.