Signal Processing Module for ECG Motion Artifact Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signal analysis systems struggle to effectively filter noise components, particularly motion artifacts, from ECG signals, which can lead to inaccurate diagnoses due to interference in physiological signals.

Innovation Solution

A signal analyzing system and method that utilize two electrode groups and a processing module to generate filtered signals by calculating differences between input signals from adjacent electrodes, employing variable filters and filter coefficient updates to isolate and reduce noise components, thereby generating a lead signal that minimizes motion artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If high pass filters or band pass filters are used to reduce noise components, then external interference noise is reduced, but motion artifacts caused by physiological processes cannot be effectively filtered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal interference noiseVSAvoidmotion artifact filtering capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrode system into multiple electrode groups (e.g., first electrode group and second electrode group) that can independently detect signals. Each electrode group processes signals separately to identify and eliminate motion artifacts, allowing the system to maintain external noise filtering while adding motion artifact rejection capability through segmented signal processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple electrode groups are used to filter motion artifacts, then motion artifact reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion artifact filtering capabilityVSAvoidelectrode group configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs electrode groups that serve multiple functions: they simultaneously detect ECG signals, identify motion artifacts, and provide reference signals for filtering algorithms. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve motion artifact reduction without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components perform multiple processing roles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where signals from multiple electrode groups are continuously compared and processed. The filtering algorithm uses feedback from the differential signal processing to dynamically adjust and eliminate motion artifacts, enabling adaptive noise reduction that maintains reliability while managing complexity through intelligent signal processing rather than purely hardware-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If amplitude of ECG signal is measured directly, then signal transmission is simple, but noise components significantly affect the actual waveform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission simplicityVSAvoidwaveform accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces differential signal processing as an intermediary mechanism between direct amplitude measurement and final ECG output. By computing the difference between signals from multiple electrode groups before further processing, the system maintains simple signal transmission pathways while adding a mathematical intermediary step that inherently rejects common-mode noise and preserves waveform accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2799005B1Method and system for signal analyzing and processing module
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP2799005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2799005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2799005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention disclose a method and a system for signal analyzing and a processing module of the system. The signal analyzing system includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a processing module. The first electrodes transmit a plurality of first input signals. The second electrodes transmit a plurality of second input signals. The processing module generates a body electrical signal according to at least one of the plurality of first input signals and at least one of the plurality of second input signals, generates a first filtered signal corresponding to the plurality of first input signals, generates a second filtered signal corresponding to the plurality of second input signals, and generates a lead signal according to the body electrical signal, the first filtered signal and the second filtered signal.