Digital Filtering for Electrophysiological Amplifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrophysiological and hemodynamic amplifiers in invasive cardiology suffer from noisy and low-resolution analog signals due to imprecise analog components, inflexibility, and difficulties in removing pacing stimulus artifacts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing real-time digital filtering systems that replace analog circuits with digital filters, allowing for signal digitization, removal of stimulus artifacts, and application of filters like high-pass, low-pass, and notch filters, along with sample rate conversion and scaling, to improve signal quality and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analog circuits are used for signal filtering and conditioning, then the system structure is simple, but the signal resolution and precision are poor due to imprecise analog components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog electronic filtering circuits with digital filtering algorithms implemented in software. The analog-to-digital conversion allows signal processing to be performed in the digital domain using computational methods rather than physical electronic components, thereby achieving higher precision without the limitations of analog component tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating domain from analog to digital, allowing filter parameters to be adjusted through software configuration rather than physical component changes. This enables dynamic adjustment of filtering characteristics and achieves precise control over signal processing parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If analog circuits are used for signal filtering, then the system is easier to manufacture, but the system flexibility is reduced due to unadjustable nature of analog circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital filtering platform that can perform multiple filtering functions through software configuration. The same hardware infrastructure supports various filtering algorithms and parameters, allowing the system to adapt to different clinical requirements without requiring separate analog circuit designs for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through software-controlled filter parameters. Filter characteristics such as cutoff frequencies, filter orders, and types can be changed in real-time based on clinical needs, transforming a static analog system into a dynamic, adaptable digital system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If analog amplifiers are used, then the system structure is simpler, but it becomes difficult or impossible to remove pacing stimulus artifacts from the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes pacing stimulus artifacts from the signal through digital signal processing techniques. By converting the signal to the digital domain, specific artifact patterns can be identified and eliminated using algorithms that detect and subtract the characteristic pacing stimulus waveform from the recorded signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital signal processing as an intermediary between signal acquisition and analysis. This intermediate digital domain allows for sophisticated manipulation and cleaning of the signal, including artifact removal, before the final analysis or display stage.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a method and system for real-time digital filtering for electrophysiological and hemodynamic amplifiers. The invention replaces the analog circuits currently used for signal filtering and conditioning in such systems with digital filters that may be implemented in a software application. The method and system includes digitizing the analog signal collected from the patient prior to performing the signal filtering and conditioning. The method and system also includes removing stimulus artifacts, as well as performing sample rate conversion and scaling on the digital signal. The processed digital signals may be used, displayed, saved and converted to analog signal thru digital-to-analog conversion.