EMG Signal Processing Apparatus Using Model Subtraction and Gating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal processing techniques for electromyography (EMG) signals struggle to effectively remove power line noise and electrocardiogram (ECG) contaminants, particularly in home care settings where equipment quality and application expertise may be suboptimal, leading to interference and reduced accuracy in measuring respiratory muscle activity.
Innovation Solution
A processing apparatus and method combining model subtraction, notch filtering, and gating to reduce unwanted signal components, where model subtraction is used to identify and subtract ECG signals, followed by a notch filter to address power line noise, and gating to selectively pass or block signal components based on predetermined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If model subtraction is used to remove ECG signals, then ECG contamination is reduced, but signal distortion may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing is divided into multiple sequential stages: model subtraction for ECG removal, notch filtering for power line noise removal, and gating for residual contamination removal. Each stage targets specific contaminants independently, reducing the risk of signal distortion while removing multiple types of interference systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
A gating mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between model subtraction and final output. The gating unit selectively passes or blocks signal segments based on whether ECG contamination is detected, providing a controlled transition that prevents signal distortion while maintaining ECG removal effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If notch filtering is applied to remove power line noise, then power line interference is reduced, but signal components near the notch frequency may be attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
Model subtraction is performed before notch filtering to remove ECG contamination first. This preliminary action prevents ECG signals from interfering with the notch filter's operation, allowing the notch filter to focus solely on power line noise removal with optimized parameters, thereby reducing attenuation of nearby signal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The gating mechanism dynamically adjusts signal passage based on real-time detection of ECG contamination. By adaptively controlling which signal segments are passed, the system compensates for any attenuation effects from the notch filter, maintaining measurement precision while removing power line noise.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple processing stages are combined, then overall contamination removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex processing task is segmented into three distinct functional units: model subtraction unit, notch filter unit, and gating unit. Each unit has a specific, simple function that is easy to implement and understand, reducing the complexity burden despite the multi-stage overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The gating unit serves multiple functions: it removes residual ECG contamination, compensates for notch filter attenuation effects, and provides adaptive signal control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate units, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a processing apparatus (10) for processing a physiological signal (21) using model subtraction, notch filtering and gating. The processing apparatus comprises a model subtraction unit (11) configured to receive the physiological signal (21) and to reduce a first unwanted signal component, such as an ECG contamination, in the physiological signal by subtracting from the physiological signal a model (31) of the 5 first unwanted signal component to obtain a residual signal (32); a filter unit (12) configured to receive the residual signal (32) and to reduce a second unwanted signal component, such as power line noise, in the residual signal by applying a notch filter to obtain a filtered signal (33); and a gating unit (13) configured to receive the filtered signal (33) and to apply gating to the filtered signal to obtain a gated signal (34). The present invention further relates to a 10 corresponding electromyography system and a method for processing a physiological signal using model subtraction, notch filtering and gating.