Method for detecting noise levels in ECG signals using a channel consistency threshold
Inventors
Kim, Jaeho • Sullivan, Joseph L.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11974855-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
In one embodiment, a method to detect noise levels in electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The method includes connecting to at least three sensing electrodes and obtaining a signal from each of the at least three sensing electrodes. The method also includes defining at least three channels between the at least three electrodes and obtaining heart data for a predetermined time period from the at least three channels wherein the heart data includes heart rate and QRS width. The method further includes comparing the heart data of each of the at least three channels to a consistency threshold.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes noise-robust cardiac monitoring in wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) systems by using multiple ECG sensing electrodes to form multiple ECG channels. For a short ambulatory period, heart data is computed from the ECG channels, where the heart data includes heart rate and QRS width.
A consistency threshold is applied to each ECG channel by comparing the heart data of each channel to a consistency threshold. The consistency threshold is measured as a predetermined percentage of measurements being within a predefined value range, where the predefined value range is defined relative to a median and may be expressed as heart rate deviations and/or QRS-width deviations.
A consistency module selects channels that satisfy the consistency threshold for rhythm analysis and discards noisier channels that are associated with disturbed electrodes. The disclosure also indicates optional identification of common electrodes among inconsistent channels, and it includes a fallback behavior to use all channels for rhythm analysis if none satisfy the consistency criteria, with QRS-width consistency being usable alongside or instead of heart-rate consistency.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims. Across both, there are 4 main inventive features: obtaining multi-electrode ECG channel signals, deriving heart data including heart rate and QRS width for a predetermined time period, channel-wise comparison of the heart data to a percentage-based consistency threshold defined by a predefined value range, and using at least one consistent channel to perform rhythm analysis.
Multi-electrode ECG channel formation
obtaining a signal from each of the at least three sensing electrodes; defining at least three channels between the at least three electrodes;
Heart data for a predetermined time period including heart rate and QRS width
determining heart data for a predetermined time period from the signals of the at least three channels wherein the heart data includes heart rate and QRS width;
Channel-wise consistency threshold based on predetermined percentage within predefined value range
comparing the heart data of each of the at least three channels to a consistency threshold, wherein the consistency threshold is measured as a predetermined percentage of the measurements being within a predefined value range
Rhythm analysis using at least one channel satisfying the consistency threshold
determining when at least one of the at least three channels satisfies the consistency threshold; and performing a rhythm analysis using the at least one channel that satisfies the consistency threshold
The claims coverage centers on assessing noise level or channel consistency by comparing heart rate and QRS width–based heart data from multiple ECG channels to a percentage-defined consistency threshold within a predefined value range. The monitor then performs rhythm analysis using at least one channel that satisfies the consistency threshold.
Stated Advantages
Noise-robust monitoring of cardiac rhythm by using channel consistency to select channels for rhythm analysis.
Documented Applications
Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) systems for noise-robust cardiac monitoring using multi-electrode ECG channels and a consistency module for rhythm analysis.
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