Gastrointestinal EMG Signal Artifact Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current EMG monitoring systems for gastrointestinal motility disorders are limited by their clinical setting constraints, cost, and inability to provide comprehensive, long-term data, restricting diagnostic value and population-wide data accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for wirelessly acquiring and processing EMG signals from the gastrointestinal tract using skin-surface mounted electrode patches, which identifies and removes artifacts, normalizes data, and characterizes frequency spectrum peaks to generate clinically valuable outputs for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If clinical EMG monitoring is performed in a controlled setting with patient constraints, then measurement precision is improved, but duration of action and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMG signal qualityVSAvoidmonitoring duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical constraint system of clinical monitoring with a wireless electronic monitoring system. The wireless EMG monitoring system eliminates the need for physical clinic visits and controlled patient positioning, allowing continuous monitoring during normal daily activities while maintaining signal quality through adaptive processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability in the monitoring system by allowing patients to move freely during data collection. The system dynamically adjusts to various patient positions and activities of daily living, transforming the static clinical monitoring approach into a dynamic home-based monitoring solution that captures gastrointestinal activity across diverse physiological states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If clinical EMG monitoring is performed with patient constraints and standardized procedures, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMG signal qualityVSAvoidtesting procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service monitoring where patients apply electrode patches themselves and perform normal daily activities without requiring healthcare provider supervision. The system automatically collects EMG data during routine activities, eliminating the need for standardized meal schedules and controlled clinical procedures while maintaining diagnostic signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication technology as an intermediary between the patient and the diagnostic system. The wireless transmission of EMG data from home-based electrodes to remote analysis platforms eliminates the need for direct clinical presence, simplifying the operational procedure while preserving measurement precision through automated data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If clinical EMG monitoring is performed in healthcare settings, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and loss of substance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMG signal qualityVSAvoidhealthcare provider time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the healthcare provider-centered mechanical monitoring system with an automated wireless electronic system. The wireless EMG monitoring performs all measurements, data collection, and initial processing without requiring healthcare provider time during the actual monitoring period, freeing providers to focus on data interpretation and patient care.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous EMG data collection during the patient's normal daily activities without interruption. The wireless system continuously monitors gastrointestinal electrical activity throughout the day, capturing comprehensive data that would otherwise require multiple separate clinical visits and provider time, thereby improving both efficiency and diagnostic completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Measurement precision

If clinical EMG monitoring is performed with standardized procedures, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMG signal qualityVSAvoidpatient activity freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the monitoring system to function across varying patient states and activities. The wireless EMG system captures data during different positions, movements, and daily routines, adapting to the patient's natural behavior rather than requiring the patient to adapt to fixed clinical protocols, thereby maintaining signal quality while increasing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal monitoring solution that functions across multiple contexts and patient activities. The wireless EMG system can monitor gastrointestinal activity during rest, movement, meals, and various daily tasks, making the system universally applicable to diverse patient populations and clinical scenarios without requiring procedure standardization.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3900618B1Systems and methods for processing electromyographic signals of the gastrointestinal tract
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 G TECH MEDICAL INC
  • EP3900618B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900618B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900618B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of a method for removal and replacement of artifacts in electrophysiological data from muscular activity in the gastrointestinal tract of a patient are disclosed. The approach includes setting an artifact identification threshold based on the parameters of the data, assessing the full extent of the artifact in time, and replacing the values with ones that are neutral in the time series and minimizing the effect on a power spectrum of the data. More particularly, the method includes steps of identifying artifacts within the raw time series data, eliminating the identified artifacts, and replacing the artifacts with any of interpolated points or constant value points to create a clean time series data set representing valid gastrointestinal tract EMG signals.