ECG User Interface Nested Waveform Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrocardiograph (ECG) devices require cumbersome navigation through multiple configuration screens to view extended waveforms or multiple heartbeat periods, making it difficult to detect signal variations or issues such as signal drift, which can indicate device or patient problems.
Innovation Solution
The ECG device features a programmable circuit that generates a user interface with adjacent waveform regions, allowing users to select and expand a region to display additional heartbeat periods, with the option to overlay extended regions on existing ones, simplifying navigation and improving usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If small display regions are used to show each lead waveform, then all 12 leads can be displayed simultaneously, but it becomes difficult to detect signal variations over multiple heartbeat periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested display structure where an extended waveform region (showing multiple heartbeat periods) is overlaid on top of the standard 12-lead display grid. The extended region can be positioned at any location within the grid and contains smaller thumbnail representations of the underlying lead waveforms, allowing simultaneous viewing of both comprehensive multi-period signals and individual lead details through nested visual layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the display by extending the waveform time interval from a single heartbeat period to multiple heartbeat periods in the extended region. This dimensional expansion allows users to observe signal drift and variations over time while maintaining the ability to view individual lead details through the nested thumbnail structure.
2Loss of information
If configuration screens are used to reconfigure display for extended waveforms, then extended waveform viewing is possible, but the process becomes time-intensive and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The extended waveform display is automatically generated and overlaid on the existing 12-lead display grid without requiring users to navigate through configuration screens. The system self-adjusts by positioning the extended region appropriately and scaling the underlying waveforms into thumbnails, providing immediate access to extended waveform information while maintaining the original lead overview.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures the display system to support both standard 12-lead viewing and extended waveform viewing simultaneously through the nested overlay structure. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for reconfiguration actions, as both display modes are prepared and available from the start, allowing users to switch between views instantly without navigation delays.
3Area of stationary object
If standard 12-lead display grid is maintained, then all leads are visible, but navigation to view extended waveforms requires leaving the lead display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the extended waveform display with the 12-lead display grid by overlaying the extended region directly on top of the grid structure. This combination allows users to view extended waveforms while remaining within the context of the lead display, eliminating the need to navigate away to configuration screens and return, as both views coexist in the same display space.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrocardiograph device and methods of navigating displays of such a device are disclosed. In one example, an electrocardiograph device includes a display, a plurality of electrocardiograph signal leads, and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit is configured to receive electrical signals via the electrocardiograph signal leads representative of a heartbeat of a patient. The programmable circuit is configured to generate a user interface to be presented on the display, the user interface comprising a lead display including a screen layout including a plurality of waveform regions. The waveform regions display a waveform corresponding to an electrical signal from one of the leads over a time interval including at least one heartbeat period. Selection of a region causes display of an extended waveform region displaying a waveform over a second time interval that is longer than the first time interval, and which includes a plurality of heartbeat periods.