Seismocardiography Apparatus for HFpEF Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing cardiac abnormalities, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), are challenging due to their complexity and the need for expensive equipment and specialized personnel.
Innovation Solution
A novel apparatus and computer program that utilize a signal interface and processing system to extract temporal portions from cardiac motion signals, calculate an energy indicator for diastolic phases, and compare it to a threshold value to indicate the presence of cardiac abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If echocardiography is used to detect cardiac abnormalities, then comprehensive information about heart structure and function is obtained, but expensive equipment and specialised operating personnel are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses seismocardiography to create a simplified copy or alternative measurement method that captures essential cardiac functional information without requiring complex echocardiography equipment. The seismocardiogram signal serves as a surrogate that correlates with echocardiographic findings, enabling detection of cardiac abnormalities through simpler, more accessible technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasound-based echocardiography system with a seismocardiographic system that measures mechanical vibrations of the chest wall. This substitution uses simpler mechanical sensors (accelerometers) instead of complex ultrasound imaging equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining diagnostic capability for certain cardiac conditions.
2Speed
If ECG is used for rapid electrical assessment of the heart, then quick results are obtained, but only little information relating to the structure of the heart is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines seismocardiography with electrocardiography to create a hybrid diagnostic approach. The seismocardiogram provides mechanical/structural information that complements the electrical information from ECG, merging both modalities to deliver both rapid assessment and structural insights without requiring separate testing sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a seismocardiographic system that can serve multiple diagnostic functions - detecting both structural abnormalities (like valve issues, wall motion abnormalities) and functional parameters (like ejection fraction, diastolic function). This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple separate tests while maintaining rapid assessment capability.
3Ease of operation
If gyroscope-based gyrocardiography is used to measure cardiac angular rotations, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but detection of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction remains challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from angular rotations (gyrocardiography) to linear accelerations (seismocardiography). This parameter change improves detection sensitivity for HFpEF because linear acceleration measurements better capture the subtle mechanical abnormalities associated with preserved ejection fraction, while maintaining non-invasive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite sensing approach that combines multiple sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and potentially other sensors) to create a comprehensive measurement system. This composite approach leverages the strengths of each sensor type to achieve both ease of non-invasive operation and improved measurement precision for detecting HFpEF.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for producing information indicative of cardiac abnormality, for example heart failure with preserved ejection fraction “HFpEF”, comprises a signal interface (101) for receiving a signal indicative of cardiac motion and a processing system (102) coupled to the signal interface. The processing system is configured to extract, from the signal, temporal portions which belong to diastolic phases of a heart. The processing system is configured to set an output signal of the apparatus to express presence of cardiac abnormality based on a result of a comparison between the indicator quantity and a threshold value.