ECG Signal Routing via ADC-DAC Conversion for Legacy Instrument Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical systems face challenges in routing analog ECG signals to legacy analog recording instruments while maintaining the ability to process digital signals for modern medical instruments, as direct conversion is not feasible due to interference and noise concerns.
Innovation Solution
A routing circuitry that integrates analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion, allowing for the digitization of multiple analog signals, extraction of selected digital ECG signals, and conversion back to analog for legacy instruments, while filtering out noise during the digital processing stage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If analog ECG signals are directly routed to legacy analog recording instruments, then compatibility with legacy devices is maintained, but interference and noise affect signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hybrid recording instrument that acts as an intermediary between legacy analog instruments and modern digital systems. This hybrid instrument receives analog ECG signals, converts them to digital format through ADC circuitry, processes them digitally to eliminate noise, and can output both digital and analog signals. This mediator resolves the contradiction by allowing legacy analog instruments to connect through the hybrid device's analog output while the digital processing path eliminates interference and noise internally.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If analog signals are converted to digital for processing, then noise filtration and signal quality improve, but compatibility with analog instruments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid recording instrument embodies multi-functionality by incorporating both analog-to-digital conversion circuitry and digital-to-analog conversion circuitry. It can process signals in digital mode for noise filtration and advanced analysis, while simultaneously maintaining analog output capabilities to interface with legacy analog instruments. This universal design allows the single device to serve both modern digital requirements and legacy analog compatibility, resolving the contradiction between noise filtration and analog compatibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hybrid recording instrument with both analog and digital capabilities is used, then both legacy and modern instruments can be supported, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges analog and digital recording capabilities into a single hybrid recording instrument. The ADC circuitry and DAC circuitry are integrated within one device, allowing it to function as both an analog recorder and a digital recorder with digital signal processing capabilities. This consolidation reduces the need for separate analog and digital recording systems, managing the complexity by combining functions rather than requiring multiple independent devices.
4Measurement precision
If multiple analog signals are digitized and routed separately, then signal quality is maintained, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid recording instrument creates digital copies of analog ECG signals through ADC conversion. Instead of routing multiple analog signals through complex analog switching circuitry, the system converts analog signals to digital copies, processes them digitally with precise noise filtration, and can generate analog outputs as needed. This copying approach maintains signal quality through digital precision while simplifying routing complexity by using digital signal processing rather than complex analog routing networks.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless integration of analog and digital medical instruments by effectively routing ECG signals to both types, reducing interference and maintaining signal quality through noise filtration.
Implementation Method 1
The ADC circuitry is coupled to convert the multiple analog input signals into digital samples
Implementation Method 2
The DAC circuitry, which includes a digital filter and is coupled to filter the second copy of the digital input signals
Implementation Method 3
The DAC circuitry is coupled to convert the filtered second copy into one or more analog output signals, and to output the one or more analog output signals to an analog medical instrument
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An apparatus includes analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) circuitry, digital processing logic, and digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuitry. The ADC circuitry is coupled to digitize multiple analog input signals so as to generate digital samples. The digital processing logic is configured to extract, from the digital samples, one or more first digital signals corresponding to a first selected subset of the analog input signals, and one or more second digital signals corresponding to a second selected subset of the analog input signals. The digital processing logic is further configured to output the one or more first digital signals to a digital medical instrument. The DAC circuitry is coupled to convert the one or more second digital signal into one or more analog output signals, and to output the one or more analog output signals to an analog medical instrument.