Method and apparatus for transmitting data descriptive of electromagnetic waveform

• US 4,938,229 A
• Filed: 04/29/1988
• Issued: 07/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic USA Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Paceart Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Daily, Tim, Parsonnet, Victor, Bergelson, Michael N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott
• Application Number:
  US07/187,945
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 128/696, 128/706, 128/902, 128/903, 128/904, 455/302, 455/305
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting data descriptive of an electromagnetic waveform wherein a constant amplitude signal is frequency modulated and transmitted to a remote site where digital signals are generated in response to zero crossings of the fm analog signal. Interrupt signals are generated in response to zero crossings for storing time differences between successive digital signals corresponding to the zero crossing which are then averaged at the Nyquist sampling rate to display and analyze a constructed waveform simulating the original signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for deriving information from a remotely situated electromagnetic waveform having a characteristic with a time varying magnitude comprising:

fm modulator means for detecting the varying magnitude of said electromagnetic waveform and modulating the frequency of a constant amplitude continuous carrier signal in response thereto;

transmitter means operatively connected to said fm modulator means for transmitting the fm constant amplitude signal to a remote location;

detector means operatively connected to a receiver for detecting threshold crossings of the continuous fm constant amplitude signal;

subtractor means operatively connected to said detector means for comparing successive times of said threshold crossings and determining their differences; and

signal generator means operatively connected to said subtractor means for constructing a signal having a characteristic with a time varying magnitude corresponding to said characteristic with time varying magnitude of said remotely situated electromagnetic waveform.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal generator means further comprises

first buffer means for storing a plurality of the differences determined by said subtractor means and a processor means for determining the average of said plurality of differences, said signal generator means being responsive to said average of said plurality of differences.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said signal generator means comprises

second buffer means for storing a plurality of first averages and processor means for determining the average of said first averages, said signal generator means being further responsive to said average of said first averages.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 further comprising interrupt signal generator means operatively connected to said detector means for periodically generating interrupt signals, said processor means being responsive to said interrupt signals for concurrent processing by determining an average of the time differences of said threshold crossings between said interrupt signals.

5. Apparatus for deriving information from a frequency modulated waveform comprising

detector means having an input to which said waveform can be applied for detecting threshold crossings thereof,

subtractor means operatively connected to said detector means for comparing successive times of said threshold crossings and determining their differences, and

signal generator means operatively connected to said subtractor means for constructing a signal having a characteristic with a time varying magnitude corresponding to said determined time differences.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising display means operatively connected to said signal generator means for presenting a graphic reproduction of said constructed signal.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said display means comprises a cathode ray tube.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said display means comprises a chart recorder.

9. A method for deriving information from a remotely situated electromagnetic waveform having a characteristic with a varying magnitude comprising

detecting the varying magnitude of said electromagnetic waveform and modulating the frequency of a constant amplitude continuous carrier signal in response thereto,

transmitting the fm constant amplitude signal to a remote location,

receiving the fm constant amplitude signal at said remote location,

detecting threshold crossings of the continuous fm constant amplitude signal received at said remote location,

comparing successive times of said threshold crossings, determining the differences between said successive times of said threshold crossings, and

constructing a signal having a characteristic with a time varying magnitude corresponding to said differences between said successive times of said threshold crossings.

10. A method according to claim 9 further comprising averaging K successive differences of the times of said threshold crossings and constructing a signal having a characteristic with a time varying magnitude corresponding to said average where K is an integer.

11. A method according to claim 10 further comprising averaging N successive averages of said threshold crossings and constructing a signal having a characteristic with a time varying magnitude corresponding to said average of averages where N is an integer.