Implantable High-Frequency Electrogram Analysis for Ischemia Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ECG devices struggle to reliably detect high-frequency components essential for diagnosing myocardial ischemia due to noise interference and limited signal-to-noise ratio, especially when using electrodes attached to the skin.
Innovation Solution
An implantable device that measures and analyzes high-frequency electrogram signals from electrodes placed inside the body, specifically during targeted segments of the cardiac cycle, to enhance signal quality and detect changes indicative of ischemia or other cardiac events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high frequency components are filtered out in standard ECG devices, then noise is reduced and baseline stability is improved, but diagnostic information for myocardial ischemia is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ECG signal processing into two distinct pathways: a low-pass filtered pathway for baseline stability and rhythm detection, and a high-frequency preserved pathway for ischemia detection. This segmentation allows each pathway to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the signal processing system. The baseline portion undergoes aggressive low-pass filtering for stability, while the high-frequency portion maintains minimal filtering to preserve diagnostic information. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and information retention.
2Measurement precision
If high frequency components above 100 Hz are measured from skin electrodes, then diagnostic precision for ischemia is improved, but noise interference increases and signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-frequency component measurement function from the conventional ECG measurement system. By using implantable electrodes that directly contact cardiac tissue, it separates the measurement source from skin surface artifacts, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining high-frequency diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces implantable electrodes as an intermediary between the external ECG measurement system and the cardiac tissue. This intermediary directly captures high-frequency signals at their source, bypassing the noise-prone skin-electrode interface and enabling reliable high-frequency measurement.
3Measurement precision
If continuous high frequency analysis is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of high-frequency components at strategically selected time points during the cardiac cycle (such as during the ST segment) rather than continuous analysis. This periodic approach maintains diagnostic accuracy for ischemia detection while significantly reducing computational load and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by analyzing high-frequency components only during specific critical phases of the cardiac cycle when ischemia manifestations are most prominent, rather than throughout the entire cycle. This selective analysis maintains diagnostic sensitivity while minimizing energy expenditure.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable device for analyzing a high frequency (HF) electrogram signal received from subcutaneous, above-rib pickup locations, the device including an implantable electrode for use inside a living body, and a can for subcutaneous implantation, the can including a signal pickup configured to pick up an electrogram signal including a high frequency (HF) component, a signal filter connected to the signal pickup and configured to measure a high frequency (HF) component from the electrogram signal, and an analyzer for analyzing the HF component of the electrogram signal, wherein the analyzer is configured to analyze at least one time-varying parameter of the HF component of the electrogram signal, and the signal filter is configured to measure the electrogram signal by using a signal picked up from at least two pickup locations which are both subcutaneous and above-rib. Related apparatus and methods are also described.