METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEQUENCED EXTRACTION FROM ELECTROCARDIOGRAMIC WAVEFORMS

• US 20060264768A1
• Filed: 05/15/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braemar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cardiocore Lab Incorporated
• Inventors: Satin, Scott L., Cochran, Robert G., Patel, Nirmal R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,055,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/35 by template matching
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/364 Detecting abnormal ECG interval, e.g. extrasystoles, ectopic heartbeats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/366 Detecting abnormal QRS complex, e.g. widening
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A method for extracting segments from an electrocardiogram tracing is disclosed. The method selects an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction, and associates a dosing time or other time point with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction. The electrocardiogram tracing is scanned for artifacts and the electrocardiogram tracing is annotated if any artifacts are discovered. If there are any artifacts present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template, the extraction template is modified to avoid the artifacts. If the extraction template cannot be modified, the electrocardiogram tracing is annotated as unextractable. If artifacts are not present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template or the extraction template was successfully modified, the designated segment is extracted from the electrocardiogram tracing and written to a storage medium.

Claims

1. A method for extracting segments from an electrocardiogram tracing, the method comprising:

selecting an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

associating a predetermined time with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

scanning the electrocardiogram tracing for artifacts and annotating the electrocardiogram tracing if any artifacts are discovered;

if artifacts are present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template, modifying the extraction template to avoid the artifacts, and, if unable to modify the extraction template, annotating the electrocardiogram tracing as unextractable; and

if artifacts are not present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template or the extraction template was successfully modified, extracting the designated segment from the electrocardiogram tracing and writing the extracted segment to a storage medium.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time is a dosing time.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each extracted segment is written to a separate data file.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, prior to the selection of the electrocardiogram tracing, control settings for the extraction of segments are configured.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control settings comprise at least one of an extraction template, an extraction template modification setting, a local/remote setting, an annotation channel generation setting, an artifact detection setting, a type of electrocardiogram tracing file setting and an output file format setting.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after the extracted segment has been written to the storage medium, a determination is made whether additional electrocardiogram tracings are available for extraction.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrocardiogram tracing is selected for extraction via single file processing, batch file processing, directory scan processing or automated processing.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein scanning the electrocardiogram tracing for artifacts further comprises:

determining if the segment extraction depends on annotations being present in the electrocardiogram tracing prior to scanning for artifacts, and if previous annotations are not required, then creating an annotation track for artifact annotations,

otherwise, if previous annotations are required, then determining if previous annotations are present in the electrocardiogram tracing, and if previous annotations are not present, terminating the processing of the electrocardiogram tracing.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein, subsequent to the creation of the annotation track, the method further comprises:

scanning the electrocardiogram tracing for artifacts; and

if an artifact is detected, inserting data concerning the detected artifact into the annotation track.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the creation of the annotation track, detection of artifacts and insertion of data regarding other annotations are managed by control settings.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modification of the extraction template further comprises:

shifting the extraction template less than a predetermined amount to avoid extracting a segment containing an artifact therein, and

if the extraction template shift is greater than a predetermined amount, then inserting data into the annotation track that identifies the desired segment as unextractable.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, if commanded by a control setting, the modification of the extraction template further comprises:

expanding each extraction segment in the extraction template to encompass a predefined maximum extraction size; and

combining expanded extraction segments that overlap or abut each other.

13. A method for extracting segments from an electrocardiogram tracing, the method comprising:

selecting an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

associating a predetermined time with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

selecting a remote mode of operation, wherein artifact detection and avoidance is suspended, and the extraction template is widened to include segments of data on either side of extraction times associated with the dosing time;

extracting the widened segments from the electrocardiogram tracing and writing the extracted segment to a storage medium; and

transmitting the extracted segments at a high priority to a central database location.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the predetermined time is a dosing time.

15. A method for using a computer system to extracting segments from an electrocardiogram tracing, the method comprising:

selecting, via a user interface of the computer system, an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

associating, via a user interface of the computer system, a predetermined time with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

commanding the computer system to scan the electrocardiogram tracing for artifacts and annotating the electrocardiogram tracing if any artifacts are discovered,

wherein, if artifacts are present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template, the computer system modifies the extraction template to avoid the artifacts, and, if the computer system is unable to modify the extraction template, the computer system annotates the electrocardiogram tracing as unextractable; and

if artifacts are not present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template or the extraction template was successfully modified, the computer system extracts the designated segment from the electrocardiogram tracing and writes the extracted segment to a storage medium.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the predetermined time is a dosing time.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein each extracted segment is written to a separate data file.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, prior to the selection of the electrocardiogram tracing, control settings for the extraction of segments are configured.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control settings comprise at least one of an extraction template, an extraction template modification setting, a local/remote setting, an annotation channel generation setting, an artifact detection setting, a type of electrocardiogram tracing file setting and an output file format setting.

20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, after the extracted segment has been written to the storage medium, the computer system determines if additional electrocardiogram tracings are available for extraction.

21. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein scanning the electrocardiogram tracing for artifacts by the computer system further comprises:

determining if the segment extraction depends on annotations being present in the electrocardiogram tracing prior to scanning for artifacts, and if previous annotations are not required, then the computer system creates an annotation track for artifact annotations,

otherwise, if previous annotations are required, then determining if previous annotations are present in the electrocardiogram tracing, and if previous annotations are lacking, the computer system terminates the processing of the electrocardiogram tracing.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein, subsequent to the creation of the annotation track, the computer system scans the electrocardiogram tracing for artifacts, and if an artifact is detected, inserts data concerning the detected artifact into the annotation track.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least one of the creation of the annotation track, detection of artifacts and insertion of data regarding other annotations are managed by control settings.

24. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer system modifies the extraction template by:

shifting the extraction template less than a predetermined amount to avoid extracting a segment containing an artifact therein, and

if the extraction template shift is greater than a predetermined amount, then the computer system inserts data into the annotation track that identifies the desired segment as unextractable.

25. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, if commanded by a control setting, the computer system further modifies the extraction template by expanding each extraction segment in the extraction template to encompass a predefined maximum extraction size, and combining expanded extraction segments that overlap or abut each other.

26. A method for using a computer system to extracting segments from an electrocardiogram tracing, the method comprising:

selecting, via a user interface of the computer system, an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

associating, via a user interface of the computer system, a predetermined time with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

selecting, via a user interface of the computer system, a remote mode of operation, wherein artifact detection and avoidance is suspended, and the extraction template is widened to include segments of data on either side of extraction times associated with the dosing time;

extracting the widened segments from the electrocardiogram tracing and writing the extracted segment to a storage medium; and

transmitting the extracted segments at a high priority to a central database location.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the predetermined time is a dosing time.

28. A computer program product comprising:

a tangible computer-readable medium; and

computer executable code embodied on the computer-readable medium that causes a computer to perform predetermined operations, wherein the predetermined operations comprise;

selecting an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

associating a predetermined time with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

scanning the electrocardiogram tracing for artifacts and annotating the electrocardiogram tracing if any artifacts are discovered;

if artifacts are present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template, modifying the extraction template to avoid the artifacts, and, if unable to modify the extraction template, annotating the electrocardiogram tracing as unextractable; and

if artifacts are not present in the segment designated for extraction by the extraction template or the extraction template was successfully modified, extracting the designated segment from the electrocardiogram tracing and writing the extracted segment to a storage medium.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the predetermined time is a dosing time.

30. A computer program product comprising:

a tangible computer-readable medium; and

computer executable code embodied on the computer-readable medium that causes a computer to perform predetermined operations, wherein the predetermined operations comprise;

selecting an electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

associating a predetermined time with the electrocardiogram tracing to align an extraction template within the electrocardiogram tracing for segment extraction;

selecting a remote mode of operation, wherein artifact detection and avoidance is suspended, and the extraction template is widened to include segments of data on either side of extraction times associated with the dosing time;

extracting the widened segments from the electrocardiogram tracing and writing the extracted segment to a storage medium; and

transmitting the extracted segments at a high priority to a central database location.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the predetermined time is a dosing time.