Heartbeat Time Detection via Multi-Detector Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining characteristic heartbeat times in patients are unreliable and inaccurate, often failing to detect irregularities in cardiac activity and requiring precise periodic models, which limits their ability to predict heartbeat times with sufficient reliability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing unit that uses a sensor array to detect characteristic heartbeat times by calculating and subtracting a cardiogenic signal from a sum signal, employing multiple detectors and analysis methods to improve reliability and accuracy, allowing for the estimation of heartbeat times with precision before or after the heartbeat has concluded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If precise periodic cardiac activity models are used to determine heartbeat times, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and reliability worsen due to model inaccuracies and failure to detect irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static periodic models to dynamic detection methods that adapt to varying cardiac conditions. The system continuously analyzes sum signals and adjusts detection parameters based on real-time signal characteristics, enabling reliable detection of both regular and irregular heartbeats without requiring predefined periodic models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters dynamically by adjusting threshold values and analysis windows based on signal quality and cardiac rhythm variations. This allows the system to maintain measurement precision across different cardiac states, including arrhythmias, without relying on fixed periodic models that reduce reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple detectors and analysis methods are employed to improve heartbeat time detection reliability, then detection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection methods and detectors into a unified signal processing unit that simultaneously applies various analysis techniques to the sum signal. This merging approach achieves high detection reliability while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems, as the integrated unit shares common signal input and coordination logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing multiple detection methods and analysis techniques within a single device. This universal design achieves reliable heartbeat time detection across various cardiac conditions without requiring separate specialized devices for each detection method, thereby managing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If cardiogenic signal subtraction is used to extract respiratory signals from sum signals, then measurement precision of respiratory signals improves, but loss of information may occur during signal separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cardiogenic signal component from the sum signal through systematic subtraction based on detected heartbeat times. This extraction process precisely isolates the respiratory signal while preserving the cardiogenic information in the detected heartbeat time data, preventing information loss by storing both components separately for different analytical purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A process and a signal processing unit (5) approximately detect a respective characteristic heartbeat time {H_Zp[f](x), H_Zp[s](x1), . . . , H_Zp[s](xN)} per heartbeat for a sequence of heartbeats of a patient (P). A sensor array (2.1, 2.2) sends at least one sum signal [SigSum(1), SigSum(2)], which results from a superimposition of a cardiogenic signal and of a respiratory signal. A first detector (25.1) calculates a respective first detection result for each characteristic heartbeat time, and a second detector (25.2, . . . ) calculates a second detection result. The first detector (25.1) analyzes a different sum signal and/or applies a different method of analysis than the second detector (25.2, . . . ). The signal processing unit (5) calculates a respective estimation (representation) for each heartbeat time and uses this estimation as the characteristic heartbeat time. The signal processing unit (5) uses a first detection result and a second detection result to calculate the estimation.