Synchronizing Asynchronous Cardiac Data Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to synchronize cardiac signals from surface Electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrogram (EGM) data transmitted via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) telemetry, leading to out-of-sync displays that can mislead clinicians during diagnosis due to asynchronous communication paths and processing delays.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that synchronize ECG and EGM data by temporally offsetting the storage and display of these signals, managing memory buffers to compensate for delays, and adjusting the data display rate to ensure coherent and synchronized presentation on a monitor or programmer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ECG and EGM data are transmitted through different communication paths (direct lead and Bluetooth Low Energy telemetry), then real-time cardiac monitoring capability is improved, but the data arrive out-of-sync due to different delays in the paths
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating expected delays for EGM data based on Bluetooth transmission characteristics before display, and pre-aligning ECG and EGM data streams by offsetting one relative to the other to compensate for inherent path delays, ensuring synchronized presentation without real-time adjustment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary alignment mechanism that acts as a mediator between the ECG and EGM data streams, using buffer management and temporal offsetting to reconcile the different transmission delays from the two communication paths before presenting the data together on the display
2Productivity
If Bluetooth Low Energy protocol transmits EGM data in short bursts to maximize bandwidth utilization, then transmission efficiency is improved, but the display becomes staggered and out-of-sync with ECG data
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamic buffer management that adapts to the bursty nature of Bluetooth transmissions by adjusting buffer fill rates and readout timing, allowing the display system to dynamically compensate for intermittent data arrival while maintaining continuous synchronized presentation with ECG data
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic buffer refilling and synchronized readout operations that align with the burst transmission pattern of Bluetooth, creating a rhythmic data flow management approach that converts irregular bursts into a steady, synchronized display stream
3Loss of information
If the monitor displays ECG and EGM data simultaneously from different communication paths, then comprehensive real-time cardiac information is provided, but the presentation becomes misleading due to out-of-sync data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temporal alignment by calculating and applying offset values to EGM data based on known Bluetooth transmission delays before simultaneous display with ECG data, ensuring that both data streams are temporally coherent in the final presentation
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary synchronization layer that mediates between the asynchronous ECG and EGM data streams, using buffer management and temporal offsetting to reconcile the different transmission delays from the two communication paths before presenting the data together on the display
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are provided to manage display of cardiac signals. The methods and systems receive a first data steam along a first communications path conveyed with first throughput and receiving a second data stream along a second communications path transmitted with second throughput. The first and second throughputs are asynchronous with respect to one another. The first and second data streams carry cardiac signals sensed by external and implanted electrodes, respectively, for one or more common events. The methods and systems store data from the first and second data streams in first and second memory buffers. The methods and systems synchronize the data stored in the first and second memory buffers with one another by performing at least one of: temporally offsetting activation of the storing operation for the first and second data streams with respect to one another; or managing an amount of the data maintained in at least one of the first memory buffer or the second memory buffer. The methods and systems co-display cardiac signals associated with the first and second data streams on a display by reading the data from the first and second memory buffers at a data display rate.