Multi-tier system for cardiology and patient monitoring data analysis

• US 20070244405A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Xue, Joel, Rowlandson, G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,702,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires

Abstract

In a multi-tier patient monitoring data analysis system, an algorithm server is positioned as a middle tier between an acquisition device, such as a cardiograph or patient monitor that can be seen as a lower tier, and a storage device for a database, such as that of a central computer for a hospital or clinic that can be seen as an upper tier. The algorithm server gathers current data from the real time acquisition device and obtains previously stored ECG signal data from the database. The algorithm server contains ECG analysis algorithm(s) and runs one or more algorithms using the current and previously acquired ECG signal data. Analysis algorithms may also be run on the acquisition device. The system provides the rapid, extensive, and thorough ECG analysis that is critical to patient welfare.

Claims

1. A system for ECG signal data analysis comprising:

an acquisition unit for receiving ECG signal data from a patient;

a storage device for a data base containing stored ECG signal data;

an algorithm server interposed intermediate said acquisition unit and said database storage device, said algorithm server containing at least one ECG analysis algorithm; and

means connecting said acquisition unit to said algorithm server and connecting said database storage device to said algorithm server for carrying out ECG signal data analysis.

2. A system according to claim 1 further defined as comprising a plurality of acquisition units connected to said algorithm server.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said acquisition unit comprises one of an electrocardiograph, a patient monitor, Holter recorder, or portable/hand-held device.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said storage device is further defined as including a plurality of data bases.

5. A system according to claim 2 wherein said storage device is further defined as including a plurality of data bases.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said data base comprises at least one of a hospital information system data base and a dedicated data base.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises, at least in part, wired connecting means.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises, at least in part, wireless connecting means.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises, at least in part, a secure local area network.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises, at least in part, a secure wide area network.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises, at least in part, a secure internet connection.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein said algorithm server contains a plurality of ECG analysis algorithms.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein said acquisition unit contains an ECG signal data analysis algorithm.

14. A system according to claim 1 further including means for entering data or edited interpretations in said system.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein said data base storage device and said algorithm server form units of a common apparatus.

16. A system according to claim 1 wherein said algorithm server contains an algorithm utilizing real time ECG signal data obtained from said acquisition unit and stored ECG signal data from said data base.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein said algorithm server contains a serial ECG signal data comparison algorithm.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein said algorithm server contains an ECG signal data morphology comparison algorithm.

19. A system according to claim 17 wherein said algorithm server contains an arrhythmia analysis algorithm.

20. A system according to claim 17 further including means for entering data or edited interpretations in the system.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein said acquisition unit contains an ECG arrhythmia recognition algorithm and said entering means enters data or edited interpretations relating to the contour of the waveforms in the ECG signal data.

22. A system according to claim 20 wherein said entering means enters data or edited interpretations for use in cataloging ECG signal data characteristics.

23. The system according to claim 1 wherein said data base has means for mining the data of said data base.

24. A system for ECG signal data analysis comprising:

an acquisition unit for receiving ECG signal data from a patient, said acquisition unit containing an ECG analysis algorithm;

a storage device for a data base containing stored ECG signal data;

an algorithm server interposed intermediate said acquisition unit and said data base storage device, said algorithm server containing a plurality of ECG analysis algorithms, at least one of said algorithms comprising an ECG morphology or heart beat timing algorithm;

means connecting said acquisition unit to said algorithm server and connecting said data base storage device to said algorithm server for carrying out ECG signal data analysis; and

means for entering data or edited interpretations in said system.