Real-Time ECG Signal Quality Estimation for Steering Wheel Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single lead electrocardiograms acquired from steering wheel-mounted electrodes are prone to motion artefacts and noise, leading to incorrect R-peak detection and affected heart rate calculations, necessitating real-time signal quality estimation and rejection of corrupted segments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for real-time electrocardiogram signal quality estimation that involves receiving the input signal from a dry electrode, processing to identify peaks, detecting corruption, discarding corrupted regions, and generating an ECG in real-time, using adaptive thresholds and digital filtering to distinguish between low frequency and narrowband noise, ensuring accurate QRS peak detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If single lead ECG recording is used from steering wheel electrode, then ease of operation and portability are improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to motion artifacts and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ECG signal into multiple frequency components using wavelet transform, separating the useful ECG signal from noise components. This allows selective processing and filtering of different frequency bands to remove motion artifacts while preserving cardiac information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary signal quality estimation mechanism that acts as a mediator between the noisy single-lead ECG signal and the final ECG output. This intermediary layer analyzes signal quality metrics and applies adaptive filtering to improve reliability without compromising ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If real-time signal processing is implemented to detect and reject corrupted segments, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary signal quality assessment and noise detection before final peak detection. By pre-identifying corrupted segments and applying appropriate filtering in advance, the system avoids reprocessing and reduces overall computation time while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial processing by focusing computational resources only on segments where noise is detected. Instead of processing the entire signal uniformly, it applies intensive filtering only to corrupted portions, reducing overall processing time while maintaining peak detection accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If adaptive thresholding and noise filtering are applied, then manufacturing precision of signal processing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through adaptive thresholding where the system automatically adjusts processing parameters based on the incoming signal characteristics. The algorithm self-calibrates by analyzing signal statistics and adapting filtering strength accordingly, reducing the need for manual tuning and external configuration while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
System and apparatus for real time electrocardiogram signal quality estimation. Systems and methods are disclosed for real time detection of corrupted segments of an electrocardiogram input signal and real time generation of an electrocardiogram based on an uncorrupted input signal. Systems and methods are provided for receiving a signal from an electrode, detecting corruption in a portion of the signal, and discarding the portion of the signal including the corruption.