System and method for detecting and removing periodic non-physiological artifact from evoked potentials
Inventors
SNOW, Cameron • O'Brien, Richard • JOHNS, Gregg
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11986321-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
An automated electrophysiological response analysis apparatus for identifying and eliminating signals having non-physiological artifact noise from an averaged evoked potential signal, wherein the apparatus is adapted to identify in an electrophysiological response at least one characteristic representative of non-physiological artifact noise to classify the signal as an artifact signal and remove the artifact signal from a collection of signals used to generate the averaged evoked potential signal.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an automated evoked potential analysis algorithm executed by at least one processor in an apparatus for automated analysis of evoked potentials. The apparatus stimulates at least one peripheral nerve of a patient with at least one stimulating electrode and records, via at least one recording electrode, an electrophysiological response comprising a plurality of resultant electrical waveforms generated by a nervous system in response to the stimulation.
The problem addressed is that ambient electrical noise or non-physiological artifact noise can be present in resultant electrical waveforms, thereby degrading evoked potentials or ensemble averages of evoked potentials. The apparatus monitors, detects, identifies and eliminates non-physiological artifact noise in the physiological system from which the evoked potentials or ensemble averages of evoked potentials are obtained.
The automated evoked potential analysis algorithm determines whether ambient electrical noise or non-physiological artifact noise is present in a resultant electrical waveform of the plurality of electrical waveforms. When non-physiological artifact noise is detected, the algorithm identifies at least one characteristic representative of a signal having the non-physiological artifact noise, classifies the resultant electrical waveform as an artifact signal if the non-physiological artifact noise is present, removes the artifact signal from a collection of signals, and generates an averaged evoked potential signal from the remaining signals.
Using the averaged evoked potential signal, the algorithm generates positioning effect information about the patient. The apparatus then uses this positioning effect information to provide output for monitoring and interpretation, including downstream use as positioning-effect information for display or to generate an alert.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim. It contains a sequence of automated evoked potential analysis steps: stimulus and recording of resultant electrical waveforms; automated detection of ambient electrical noise or non-physiological artifact noise; identification of artifact-representative characteristics; classification and elimination of artifact signals; generation of an averaged evoked potential signal; and generation of positioning effect information from the averaged evoked potential signal.
Automated evoked potential analysis apparatus with stimulation and recording
An apparatus for automated analysis of evoked potentials having an output coupled to at least one stimulating electrode to stimulate at least one peripheral nerve, an input coupled to at least one recording electrode to record an electrophysiological response comprising a plurality of resultant electrical waveforms, and at least one processor coupled to the output and input.
Automated monitoring for ambient noise or non-physiological artifact noise
The at least one processor is programmed to execute an automated evoked potential analysis algorithm configured to determine whether ambient electrical noise or non-physiological artifact noise is present in a resultant electrical waveform of the plurality of electrical waveforms.
Artifact characterization and waveform classification for elimination
When non-physiological artifact noise is present, the algorithm identifies at least one characteristic representative of a signal having the non-physiological artifact noise; classifies the resultant electrical waveform as an artifact signal if the non-physiological artifact noise is present; and removes the resultant electrical waveform that has been identified as the artifact signal from a collection of signals.
Averaged evoked potential generation and positioning effect information
The algorithm generates an averaged evoked potential signal from the collection of signals and generates positioning effect information about the patient using the averaged evoked potential signal.
The core inventive coverage is an automated evoked potential analysis apparatus that detects ambient electrical noise or non-physiological artifact noise in resultant electrical waveforms, characterizes artifact-representative signal characteristics for classification, removes artifact signals prior to generating an averaged evoked potential signal, and then generates patient positioning effect information based on the averaged signal.
Stated Advantages
Enables monitoring, detecting, identifying and eliminating non-physiological artifact noise in the physiological system from which evoked potentials or ensemble averages are obtained.
Generates an averaged evoked potential signal from a collection of signals with non-physiological artifact noise eliminated from the removed artifact signals.
Produces positioning effect information about the patient using the averaged evoked potential signal.
Documented Applications
Automated evoked potential monitoring during stimulation of a peripheral nerve, where positioning effect information is generated about the patient.
Use of positioning-effect information for display or to generate an alert based on the positioning effect information.
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