Method and apparatus for analyzing electrocardiographic signals
US4680708A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/7257
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
ECG signals are digitized and a template representative of an arrhythmia free interval for a particular patient is formed. Subsequent ECG signals which match the template are averaged to form averaged ECG signals to reduce noise. A fast Fourier transform (FET) is performed on the terminal 40 millisecond portion of the QRS complex and the ST segment. The 60 db area and 40 Hz intercept of the resultant spectral output are used as a figure of merit in predicting the liklihood of a particular patient experiencing ventricular tachycardia. Alternatively, the FET magnitude is squared to form energy spectra of the ECG signals and a measure of the energy in a first preselected portion such as the 20-50 Hz region is compared with a second preselected portion such as the entire spectra to form a figure of merit for predicting ventricular tachycardia.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.