ECG Clock Visualizing QTc Interval Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Holter monitors provide oversimplified summaries of 24-hour electrocardiogram data, making it difficult for physicians to diagnose and monitor heart conditions like Long QT Syndrome, which requires detailed long-term monitoring and analysis.
Innovation Solution
An ECG clock device that visualizes electrocardiogram data using a circular plot with a variable length radial hand, where the hand's length at each angular position represents QTc interval values, allowing for detailed analysis and identification of abnormalities over a 24-hour period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Holter monitors provide summary statistics (min, max, average values), then the data presentation is simplified, but the physician loses detailed information needed for accurate diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms 24-hour ECG data from a time-based linear representation into a circular clock face representation. The radial distance from the center represents the ECG parameter value (QTc interval), while the angular position represents time of day. This dimensional transformation allows physicians to simultaneously view temporal patterns and parameter magnitudes, preserving detailed information while maintaining visual simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic visual elements including a rotating radial hand that sweeps across the clock face to indicate current time and corresponding ECG values. The variable length of the radial hand dynamically adjusts to represent different ECG parameter values, creating an intuitive visual representation that preserves detailed temporal information in an easily interpretable format.
2Measurement precision
If physicians manually check ECG tracings for each event, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but the time required for analyzing multiple patients increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified visual copy or abstraction of the complex ECG data through the clock representation. Instead of requiring physicians to examine detailed waveforms, the system generates a condensed visual model that preserves essential diagnostic information (QTc variations over time) in an easily scannable format, maintaining diagnostic accuracy while dramatically reducing analysis time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates color coding to highlight abnormal ECG values and patterns on the clock face. Different colors can indicate different levels of concern or types of abnormalities, allowing physicians to quickly identify areas requiring detailed examination while maintaining overall diagnostic accuracy across multiple patients.
3Loss of information
If the ECG data is presented in traditional graphical formats, then complete information is provided, but the physician cannot quickly identify patterns across 24 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a circular clock face to represent the 24-hour ECG data cycle, with midnight at the top and hours progressing clockwise. This curved representation naturally conveys the cyclical nature of daily ECG patterns and allows physicians to quickly visualize temporal relationships and variations throughout the day, preserving complete information while enabling rapid pattern recognition.
Data Source
AI summary
An ECG clock electrocardiogram based diagnostic device and method is disclosed. The ECG clock provides a clear visual indicator of heart related anomalies such as Long QT syndrome over a longer span of time than can otherwise be assimilated by a medical practitioner. A variable such as QT interval is represented by a variable length radial hand similar to a watch or clock hand. The circular face of the ECG clock represents the diagnostic time interval, typically 24 hours. The resulting output or plot of the ECG clock portrays a circular or polar mapping of the heart related variable such as QT interval over the diagnostic time interval, facilitating rapid diagnosis of volumes of electrocardiogram data by a medical practitioner that has heretofore not been possible.