ICG-ECG Synchronization for Patient Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impedance cardiography (ICG) devices face challenges in ensuring patient safety while maintaining accurate measurements, as they are limited by regulatory constraints on the auxiliary current that can be injected into patients, which affects the signal-to-noise ratio and battery life in wearable devices.
Innovation Solution
Synchronizing the ICG measurement period with an electrocardiography (ECG) signal to reduce patient auxiliary current by injecting a higher current only during specific phases of the cardiac cycle, such as the QRS complex, and avoiding current injection during vulnerable periods like the T-wave, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If higher electrical current is injected into the patient for ICG measurements, then signal-to-noise ratio and measurement accuracy are improved, but patient safety is compromised due to exceeding regulatory current limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by injecting electrical current only during specific phases of the cardiac cycle (such as during the QRS complex) rather than continuously. This timing-based approach allows the device to deliver sufficient current for accurate measurements during safe windows while avoiding vulnerable periods like the T-wave, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and patient safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by detecting ECG features (such as the QRS complex) before initiating ICG current injection. This allows the system to synchronize current delivery with safe cardiac phases, ensuring that measurements are taken at optimal times without exposing the patient to harmful current levels during vulnerable cardiac periods
2Measurement precision
If continuous ICG measurements are performed with higher current, then measurement accuracy is improved, but battery life is reduced due to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by restricting current injection to specific cardiac phases rather than continuous operation. This reduces the duty cycle of current injection, thereby lowering average power consumption and extending battery life while maintaining measurement accuracy during the active measurement windows
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by injecting current only during the necessary portions of the cardiac cycle required for accurate ICG measurements (such as during the QRS complex), rather than continuously. This partial injection strategy provides sufficient signal quality for clinical purposes while significantly reducing overall energy consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for better ICG signal quality while complying with safety standards, reducing patient auxiliary current exposure and extending battery life in wearable devices by optimizing current usage during ICG measurements.
Implementation Method 1
ICG, for instance, intentionally injects electrical current (e.g., representing auxiliary current) into a patient's body to measure the electrical conductivity of the thorax and its changes in time
Implementation Method 2
ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart as the heartbeats over time without providing such current
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for synchronizing an impedance cardiography (“ICG”) measurement period with an electrocardiography (“ECG”) signal to reduce patient (105) auxiliary current. The approach involves measuring an ECG signal of a patient via an ECG device (103). The approach also involves processing the ECG signal to cause, at least in part, a detection of one or more ECG features of the signal. The approach further involves synchronizing a start, a stop, or a combination thereof of a measurement of an ICG signal of the patient via an ICG device (101) based, at least in part, on the detection of the one or more ECG features. The measurement of the ICG signal includes injecting an electrical current into the patient (105) for a duration of the measurement.