Multi-Set ICG Electrode Sensing for Aortic State Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impedance cardiography (ICG) methods struggle to accurately and reliably distinguish between healthy and pathologic aortic states, particularly due to sensitivity issues arising from the unknown position of pathological changes relative to electrode placement, leading to potential medical malpractice.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using multiple sets of ICG electrodes in a tetra-polar configuration, combined with surrogate models and probability functions, to compute similarity values based on sensed impedances, effectively determining the aortic state by integrating aortic parameters and reducing inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single set of ICG electrodes is used to measure impedance, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the ability to accurately distinguish between healthy and pathologic aortic states is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent sets of ICG electrodes (first set, second set, third set) positioned at different locations on the patient's thorax. Each set measures impedance independently, and the results are combined to provide comprehensive information about different segments of the aorta, enabling accurate differentiation between healthy and pathologic states while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point impedance measurement to multi-dimensional measurement by adding spatial dimension through multiple electrode sets positioned at different thoracic locations. This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture impedance variations across different aortic segments, significantly improving measurement precision without complicating the basic measurement process.
2Productivity
If ICG electrodes are placed at fixed spots on the patient's thorax, then the measurement process is standardized and quick, but the sensitivity to pathological aortic changes at unknown positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thoracic measurement area into multiple zones by placing separate ICG electrode sets at different locations (first, second, and third sets). This segmentation ensures that no matter where a pathological change is located in the aorta, at least one electrode set will be positioned to detect it, maintaining both speed and reliability of measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic measurement approach where multiple electrode sets simultaneously monitor different thoracic regions. This dynamic coverage allows the system to adapt to unknown pathological positions without requiring repositioning of electrodes, maintaining standardized quick measurement while improving sensitivity through multi-location monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sets of ICG electrodes are used to improve measurement accuracy, then the ability to distinguish aortic states improves, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurements from multiple ICG electrode sets into a unified assessment of aortic state. The first, second, and third electrode sets work together as an integrated system, combining their impedance data to provide comprehensive aortic evaluation. This merging approach improves accuracy while managing complexity through coordinated operation of standardized electrode configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the multiple ICG electrode sets to serve universal purposes - each set can independently measure impedance and all sets collectively provide comprehensive aortic state determination. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while reducing overall complexity by using standardized electrode configurations that can be applied across different measurement scenarios.
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
The method provides accurate, reliable, and automatic aortic state determination, minimizing errors and enabling precise differentiation between various aortic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an alternating current is injected along the thorax by means of the outer injector electrodes. A significant portion of the current passes through the aorta, and a respective voltage is captured by means of the inner sensor electrodes. The impedance is sensed over time by employing the known relation Z = U/I
Implementation Method 2
The impedance is sensed over time by employing the known relation Z = U/I, wherein Z, U, and I denote the sensed impedance, the captured voltage, and the injected current, respectively
Data Source
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Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method (11) for determining an aortic state of a patient (2) by a processing device (6) having a processor (8) and a memory (7), the method comprising: receiving (19) in said memory, from at least two sets (4j) of impedance cardiography, ICG, electrodes (5j,in, 5j,se) an impedance (Zj) sensed over time; storing (21) in said memory, for each of a set of aortic states and each electrode set (4j), a surrogate model describing a reference impedance over time; computing (22), by means of the processor, for each aortic state of the set, a similarity value; and determining (23), by means of the processor, the aortic state with the highest computed similarity value as the patient's aortic state. The invention further relates to said processing device, and a method (9) and a measuring system (1) for measuring the aortic state.