ECG Pad Placement Guide Using Nipple Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with heart diseases require prolonged ECG measurements, but conventional ECG pad placement is difficult without assistance, as it necessitates precise positioning on the chest, which patients cannot perform independently.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus and method that displays reference locations for ECG pad placement on a body image by detecting nipples and adjusting for body orientation, allowing patients to correctly position ECG pads using predefined relative locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ECG pads are placed at specific locations on the patient's chest according to conventional ECG measurement methods, then the ECG measurement accuracy is improved, but the operation complexity increases and patients cannot perform the measurement independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's body through image processing, where the detected body image serves as a template. Reference locations for ECG pads are marked on this virtual body image, allowing patients to transfer these locations to their actual bodies without requiring complex anatomical knowledge or professional assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of an electronic apparatus that captures the patient's body image, processes it to identify key anatomical landmarks (nipples, navel), and generates a visual guide with reference locations. This intermediary translates complex placement requirements into simple visual cues that patients can follow independently.
2Measurement precision
If patients rely on medical assistance for ECG pad placement, then the placement accuracy is improved, but the loss of time increases due to repeated professional assistance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to perform ECG pad placement independently by providing them with a self-service tool. The electronic apparatus generates a personalized body image with reference locations that patients can use to correctly place ECG pads without requiring repeated professional assistance, thereby saving time and enabling home-based monitoring.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the ECG measurement requires prolonged monitoring at home, then the duration of measurement is improved for adequate diagnosis, but the reliability decreases due to incorrect self-placement of ECG pads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing the patient's body image before ECG pad placement and pre-marking the reference locations on the body image. This preliminary visualization of correct placement locations ensures that when patients perform the actual placement at home over extended periods, they can maintain accurate positioning without professional assistance, thereby preserving measurement reliability throughout the prolonged monitoring period.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an electronic apparatus for displaying reference locations for locating ECG pads and a recording medium using the method are provided. In the method, a body image is retrieved and a skin area in accordance with a skin color in the body image is detected. A feature analysis is performed on the skin area to detect two physical nipples and obtain locations of the two physical nipples in the body image. The relative locations of a plurality of ECG pads to one or two nipples predefined by medical statistics are retrieved to compute reference locations of the ECG pads in the body image according to the locations of the two physical nipples. Finally, the body image is displayed on the display and the reference locations of the ECG pads in the displayed body image are indicated.