Method and apparatus for displaying a heart rate signal

• US 20030208128A1
• Filed: 05/03/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PeriGen, Inc. (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: LMS Medical Systems, Ltd. (Halma PLC)
• Inventors: Macieszczak, Maciej, Warrick, Philip A., Hamilton, Emily F., Glaude, Michael C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,907,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/748 Selection of a region of interest, e.g. using a graphics tablet

Abstract

A system and apparatus implementing a graphical user interface for displaying heart rate information is provided. The graphical user interface displays, in a first viewing window, a first tracing indicative of a heart rate signal. The graphical user interface displays a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing. In a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, the graphical user interface displays a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing. In a specific implementation, the control includes a selection box having a transparent portion superposed upon the first viewing window. The portion of the first tracing viewable through the transparent portion corresponds to the second tracing. The control allows the user to displace and modify the size of the selection box to select a portion of the first tracing.

Claims

1. ) A computer readable storage medium storing a program element suitable for execution by a CPU, said program element implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying heart rate information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for:

a) in a first viewing window, displaying a first tracing indicative of a heart rate signal;

b) displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

c) in a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, displaying a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing.

2. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein said control includes a selection box.

3. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 2, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said first viewing window.

4. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 3, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box along an axis associated with the first tracing in the first viewing window to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window.

5. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 3, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, each of the first time segment and the second time segment having respective durations, said selection box including handles allowing a user to modify the size of the selection box to select the duration of the second time segment.

6. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 4, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

7. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 5, wherein the control allows the user to modify the size of the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

8. ) A computer readable storage medium as described in claim 3, wherein the heart rate signal is a fetal heart rate signal.

9. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 8, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window a third tracing indicative of a uterine contraction pattern.

10. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 9, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, the third tracing being indicative of a uterine contraction pattern during the second time segment.

11. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 8, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window including information indicative of fetal heart rate features.

12. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 11, wherein the information indicative of fetal heart rate features is displayed in textual format.

13. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined claim 8, wherein in the second viewing window, identifiers denoting feature events in the second tracing are displayed, the feature events being selected from the set consisting of accelerations and decelerations.

14. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, the first time segment having a duration of at least about one hour.

15. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 14, wherein the second time segment has a duration of at least about one minute.

16. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about four hours.

17. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about eight hours.

18. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about twelve hours.

19. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about sixteen hours.

20. ) An apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying heart rate information, said apparatus comprising:

a) an input for receiving a heart rate signal;

b) a processing unit coupled to said input, said processing unit being operative for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying heart rate information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for;

i) in a first viewing window, displaying a first tracing indicative of the heart rate signal;

ii) displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

iii) in a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, displaying a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing;

c) an output coupled to said processing unit, said output being suitable for releasing a signal for causing a display unit to display the graphical user interface module.

21. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said control includes a selection box.

22. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said first viewing window.

23. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box along an axis associated with the first tracing in the first viewing window to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window.

24. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, each of the first time segment and the second time segment having respective durations, said selection box including handles allowing a user to modify the size of the selection box to select the duration of the second time segment.

25. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

26. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the user modifies the size of the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

27. ) An apparatus as described in claim 22, wherein the heart rate signal is a fetal heart rate signal.

28. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window a third tracing indicative of a uterine contraction pattern.

29. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, the third tracing being indicative of a uterine contraction pattern during the second time segment.

30. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window including information indicative of fetal heart rate features.

31. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein the information indicative of fetal heart rate features is displayed in textual format.

32. ) An apparatus as defined claim 27, wherein in the second viewing window, identifiers denoting feature events in the second tracing are displayed, the feature events being selected from the set consisting of accelerations and decelerations.

33. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, the first time segment having a duration of at least about one hour.

34. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein the second time segment has a duration of at least about one minute.

35. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about four hours.

36. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about eight hours.

37. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about twelve hours.

38. ) An apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the first time segment has a duration of about twelve hours.

39. ) A method for displaying heart rate information, said method comprising:

a) receiving a heart rate signal;

b) displaying, in a first viewing window, a first tracing indicative of the heart rate signal;

c) providing a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

d) in a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, displaying a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing.

40. ) A method as defined in claim 39, wherein said control includes a selection box.

41. ) A method as defined in claim 40, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said first viewing window.

42. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box along an axis associated with the first tracing in the first viewing window to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window.

43. ) A method as defined in claim 41, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, each of the first time segment and the second time segment having respective durations, said selection box including handles allowing a user to modify the size of the selection box to select the duration of the second time segment.

44. ) A method as described in claim 41, wherein the heart rate signal is a fetal heart rate signal.

45. ) A method as defined in claim 44, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window a third tracing indicative of a uterine contraction pattern.

46. ) A method as defined claim 44, wherein in the second viewing window, identifiers denoting feature events in the second tracing are displayed, the feature events being selected from the set consisting of accelerations and decelerations.

47. ) A fetal monitoring system comprising:

a) a sensor for receiving a signal indicative of a fetal heart rate;

b) an apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying heart rate information, said apparatus comprising;

i) an input for receiving the fetal heart rate signal;

ii) a processing unit coupled to said input, said processing unit being operative for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying heart rate information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for;

(1) in a first viewing window, displaying a first tracing indicative of the fetal heart rate signal;

(2) displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

(3) in a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, displaying a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing;

iii) an output coupled to said processing unit, said output being suitable for releasing a signal for causing a display unit to display the graphical user interface module;

c) a display unit coupled to the output of said apparatus, said display unit being responsive to the signal to display the graphical user interface module.

48. ) A server system implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying heart rate information, said server system storing a program element for execution by a CPU, said program element comprising:

a) first program element component for receiving a heart rate signal;

b) second program element component for processing said heart rate signal to display, in a first viewing window, a first tracing indicative of the heart rate signal;

c) third program element component for displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

d) fourth program element component for displaying, in a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing.

49. ) A server system as defined in claim 48, wherein said control includes a selection box.

50. ) A server system as defined in claim 49, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said first viewing window.

51. ) A server system as defined in claim 50, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box along an axis associated with the first tracing in the first viewing window to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window.

52. ) A server system as defined in claim 50, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, each of the first time segment and the second time segment having respective durations, said selection box including handles allowing a user to modify the size of the selection box to select the duration of the second time segment.

53. ) A server system as defined in claim 51, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

54. ) A server system as defined in claim 52, wherein the control allows the user to modify the size of the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

55. ) A server system as described in claim 51, wherein the heart rate signal is a fetal heart rate signal.

56. ) A server system as defined in claim 55, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window a third tracing indicative of a uterine contraction pattern.

57. ) A server system as defined in claim 56, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, the third tracing being indicative of a uterine contraction pattern during the second time segment.

58. ) A server system as defined in claim 55, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window including information indicative of fetal heart rate features.

59. ) A server system as defined in claim 58, wherein the information indicative of fetal heart rate features is displayed in textual format.

60. ) A server system as defined claim 55, wherein in the second viewing window, identifiers denoting feature events in the second tracing are displayed, the feature events being selected from the set consisting of accelerations and decelerations.

61. ) A client-server system for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying heart rate information, said client-server system comprising a client system and a server system, said client system and said server system operative to exchange messages over a data network, said server system storing a program element for execution by a CPU, said program element comprising:

a) first program element component executed on said server system for receiving a heart rate signal;

b) a second program element component executed on said server system for sending messages to said client system for causing said client system to display in a first viewing window, a first tracing indicative of the heart rate signal;

c) a third program element component executed on said server system for sending messages to said client system for causing said client system to display a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

d) a fourth program element component executed on said server system for receiving a message from said client system indicative of a selected portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

e) a fifth program element component executed on said server system for sending messages to said client system for causing said client system to display, in a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing.

62. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 61, wherein the data network is the Internet.

63. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 61, wherein said control includes a selection box.

64. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 63, wherein said selection box includes a transparent portion, said selection box being superposed upon said first viewing window.

65. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 64, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box along an axis associated with the first tracing in the first viewing window to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window.

66. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 64, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, each of the first time segment and the second time segment having respective durations, said selection box including handles allowing a user to modify the size of the selection box to select the duration of the second time segment.

67. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 65, wherein said control allows the user to displace the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

68. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 66, wherein the control allows the user to modify the size of the selection box by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.

69. ) A client-server system as described in claim 61, wherein the heart rate signal is a fetal heart rate signal.

70. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 69, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window a third tracing indicative of a uterine contraction pattern.

71. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 70, wherein said first tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a first time segment and said second tracing is indicative of a heart rate signal over a second time segment, the third tracing being indicative of a uterine contraction pattern during the second time segment.

72. ) A client-server system as defined in claim 69, wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for displaying in a third display window including information indicative of fetal heart rate features.

73. ) A client-server system as defined claim 69, wherein in the second viewing window, identifiers denoting feature events in the second tracing are displayed, the feature events being selected from the set consisting of accelerations and decelerations.

74. ) An apparatus for implementing a user interface for displaying heart rate information, said apparatus comprising:

a) means for receiving a heart rate signal;

b) means for implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying heart rate information, said graphical user interface module being adapted for;

i) in a first viewing window, displaying a first tracing indicative of the heart rate signal;

ii) displaying a control allowing a user to select a portion of the first tracing in the first viewing window;

iii) in a second viewing window displayed simultaneously with the first viewing window, displaying a second tracing which is a zoomed in view of the selected portion of the first tracing;

c) means for releasing a signal for causing a display unit to display the graphical user interface module.