ECG Frequency Analysis for Dementia Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease are inaccurate, costly, and time-consuming, lacking a practical and efficient means to estimate dementia levels in individuals.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing electrocardiogram (ECG) data analyzed through a computer system to estimate dementia levels by comparing ECG measurements in the frequency domain between test and reference individuals, employing software like MATLAB to calculate and scale amplitude differences to determine dementia percentage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If brain imaging, psychiatric tests, and other conventional diagnostic means are used, then diagnosis accuracy may be improved, but the process becomes costly, time-consuming, and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diagnostic function from traditional brain imaging and psychiatric tests to a simple ECG-based measurement system. By taking out the complex diagnostic procedures and replacing them with ECG frequency domain analysis, the system achieves rapid diagnosis (within seconds) while maintaining diagnostic capability through comparison of spectral features between test and reference individuals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical and complex diagnostic systems (brain imaging equipment, psychiatric evaluation processes) with an electrical measurement system (ECG). By substituting the mechanical imaging and behavioral assessment mechanisms with electrical signal analysis, the system achieves both speed and diagnostic information extraction
2Reliability
If brain imaging and comprehensive psychiatric tests are used, then diagnosis reliability may be improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a reference copy of normal ECG spectral patterns from healthy individuals and uses this reference dataset to compare against test subjects. By copying and storing spectral characteristics from reference individuals, the system achieves reliable diagnosis through pattern matching without requiring complex imaging equipment or expert psychiatric evaluation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the diagnostic approach by changing the measurement parameter from direct brain function assessment (imaging, behavioral tests) to indirect cardiovascular rhythm analysis. By measuring ECG frequency domain parameters and comparing spectral features, the system achieves reliable diagnosis with simpler, less expensive equipment
3Measurement precision
If direct brain tissue examination is used, then diagnosis accuracy is maximized, but the procedure becomes impractical for living patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the ECG signal as an intermediary that indirectly reflects brain function and dementia status. Instead of directly examining brain tissue, the system uses cardiovascular electrical signals as a mediator to infer neurological condition, making the diagnostic process practical for living patients while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for estimating dementia levels in a test individual includes using an electrocardiogram to obtain a dataset of ECG measurements captured from the test individual and using a computer based system that is programmed with computer code to convert the dataset of ECG measurements captured from the test individual to a frequency domain. The dataset of ECG measurement in the frequency domain of the test individual is compared with a reference dataset of ECG measurements in the frequency domain of a reference individual in order to estimate a dementia level of the test individual.