Method and apparatus for analysis of essentially periodic signal sequences
First Claim
1. A method for the analysis of essentially periodic signal sequences, in particular physiological signals such as EKG signals or the like, said method comprising(a) generating a measuring voltage which changes in value in proportion to the duration of a currently occurring signal period between individual signal events,(b) generating a mean value signal which is a function of a mean value of the measuring voltage in the preceding signal period,(c) generating a further signal which is a function of the signal period duration so as to represent the degree of prematureness of a signal event which has taken place,(d) adjusting the mean value signal relative to the measuring voltage according to said further signal,(e) comparing the mean value signal with the measuring voltage after the relative adjustment thereof according to the preceding step (d), and generating a comparison signal when the measuring voltage and the mean value signal, with the relative adjustment thereof, reach a predetermined comparison relationship, the adjustment of the mean value signal relative to the measuring voltage in step (d) being such that signal pauses which are brought about solely due to a prematurely occurring signal event do not result in the generation of a comparison signal, and(f) transmitting a missing-individual-event-recognition signal in response to the comparison signal so as to indicate missing individual signal events in the essentially periodic signal sequence while signal pauses which are brought about solely due to prematurely occurring signal events do not lead to the transmission of a missing-individual-event-recognition signal.
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Abstract
In automatic EKG-analysis, for example, the occurrence of signals, such as regular QRS-complex or also extrasystoles, is monitored in adjustable time intervals. However, it also happens that regular signal complexes in a signal sequence are lacking. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, for the recognition and display of missing individual events in the essentially periodic signal sequence corresponding to the mean signal frequency, an adjustable measuring voltage, proportional to the signal period duration, is compared with the mean value formed from the measuring voltage summed up in the preceding signal period, whereby, upon exceeding the comparison voltage value, a count signal is triggered. In this manner, asystolias, or so-called "missed beats" of the EKG can be ascertained, while compensatory pauses after extrasystoles are eliminated.
8 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for the analysis of essentially periodic signal sequences, in particular physiological signals such as EKG signals or the like, said method comprising
(a) generating a measuring voltage which changes in value in proportion to the duration of a currently occurring signal period between individual signal events, (b) generating a mean value signal which is a function of a mean value of the measuring voltage in the preceding signal period, (c) generating a further signal which is a function of the signal period duration so as to represent the degree of prematureness of a signal event which has taken place, (d) adjusting the mean value signal relative to the measuring voltage according to said further signal, (e) comparing the mean value signal with the measuring voltage after the relative adjustment thereof according to the preceding step (d), and generating a comparison signal when the measuring voltage and the mean value signal, with the relative adjustment thereof, reach a predetermined comparison relationship, the adjustment of the mean value signal relative to the measuring voltage in step (d) being such that signal pauses which are brought about solely due to a prematurely occurring signal event do not result in the generation of a comparison signal, and (f) transmitting a missing-individual-event-recognition signal in response to the comparison signal so as to indicate missing individual signal events in the essentially periodic signal sequence while signal pauses which are brought about solely due to prematurely occurring signal events do not lead to the transmission of a missing-individual-event-recognition signal.
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4. A method for analyzing an EKG signal sequence, said method comprising
(a) generating a measuring signal which changes its value in proportion to the duration of a currently occurring signal period, and recycles in response to each signal event representing the beginning of each successive signal period of the essentially periodic signal sequence corresponding to the mean heart rate, (b) forming a mean value signal which is a function of the time integral of the measuring signal of the preceding signal periods, (c) generating a further signal which is a function of the signal period duration so as to represent the degree of prematureness of an extrasystole in the EKG signal sequence, (d) adjusting the mean value signal relative to the measuring signal according to said further signal, (e) comparing the means value signal with the measuring signal after the relative adjustment thereof according to the preceding step (d), and generating a comparison signal when the measuring signal and the mean value signal, with the relative adjustment thereof, reach a predetermined comparison relationship, the adjustment of the mean value signal relative to the measuring signal in step (d), being such that signal pauses due to a prematurely occurring extrasystole do not result in the generation of a comparison signal, and (f) transmitting an asystolia-recognition signal in response to the comparison signal so that asystolias are indicated while premature extrasystoles do not lead to the transmission of an asystolia-recognition signal.
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8. Apparatus for the analysis of essentially periodic signal sequences of individual signal events, in particular physiological signals such as EKG signals or the like, said apparatus comprising
(a) measuring voltage generating means for generating a measuring voltage which changes in value in proportion to the duration of a signal period between individual signal events, (b) mean value generating means for generating a mean value signal which is a function of a mean value of the measuring voltage, (c) further signal generating means for generating a further signal which is a function of the signal period duration so as to identify a prematurely occurring signal event, (d) adjusting means responsive to said further signal to adjust the mean value signal relative to the measuring voltage, (e) comparison means for comparing the mean value signal with the measuring voltage after the relative adjustment thereof by said adjusting means, and operable for generating a comparison signal when the measuring voltage and the mean value signal, with the relative adjustment thereof, reach a predetermined comparison relationship, the adjustment of the mean value signal relative to the measuring voltage by said adjusting means being such that signal pauses which are brought about solely due to a prematurely occurring signal event do not result in the generation of a comparison signal, and (f) indicating means for transmitting a missing-individual-event recognition signal in response to the comparison so as to indicate missing individual signal events in the essentially periodic signal sequence while signal pauses which are brought about solely due to prematurely occurring signal events do not lead to the transmission of a missing-individual-event recognition signal.
Specification