Method for extracting timing parameters using a cardio-mechanical sensor
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring ejection fraction in a mammalian heart, comprising the steps of:
- sensing opening and closing of a heart valve in the heart of a mammalian subject, and generating a sensor signal representing said opening and closing of said heart valve, said heart exhibiting a heartbeat rate;
filtering said sensor signal to extract a signal component therefrom, as a filtered signal, in a frequency range much higher than said heartbeat rate;
squaring said filtered signal to obtain a power signal representing power of said filtered signal;
providing said power signal to an electronic detection unit and, in said electronic detection unit, measuring, in said power signal, a pre-ejection period of said heart as a function of the sensed opening and closing of said heart valve;
additionally in said electronic detection unit, measuring, in said power signal, a ventricular ejection time of said heart;
in said electronic detection unit, automatically determining an ejection fraction of the heart as a function of the measured pre-ejection period and the measured ventricular ejection time; and
emitting an electronic output signal from said electronic detection unit representing said ejection function.
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Abstract
In a method and apparatus for measuring the ejection fraction in a mammalian heart, the opening and closing of a heart valve is sensed with an implanted sensor, and a pre-ejection period is measured as a function of the sensed opening and closing of the heart valve. The ventricular ejection time also is measured, and the ejection fraction is determined as a function of the measured pre-ejection period and the ejection time.
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20 Claims
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1. A method for measuring ejection fraction in a mammalian heart, comprising the steps of:
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sensing opening and closing of a heart valve in the heart of a mammalian subject, and generating a sensor signal representing said opening and closing of said heart valve, said heart exhibiting a heartbeat rate; filtering said sensor signal to extract a signal component therefrom, as a filtered signal, in a frequency range much higher than said heartbeat rate; squaring said filtered signal to obtain a power signal representing power of said filtered signal; providing said power signal to an electronic detection unit and, in said electronic detection unit, measuring, in said power signal, a pre-ejection period of said heart as a function of the sensed opening and closing of said heart valve; additionally in said electronic detection unit, measuring, in said power signal, a ventricular ejection time of said heart; in said electronic detection unit, automatically determining an ejection fraction of the heart as a function of the measured pre-ejection period and the measured ventricular ejection time; and emitting an electronic output signal from said electronic detection unit representing said ejection function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for measuring ejection fraction in a mammalian heart, comprising:
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a sensor configured to sense opening and closing of a heart valve in the heart of a mammalian subject, and to generate a sensor signal representing said opening and closing of said heart valve, said heart exhibiting a heartbeat rate; a filter supplied with said sensor signal that extracts a signal component therefrom, as a filtered signal, in a frequency range much higher than said heartbeat rate; a squaring unit supplied with said filtered signal that squares said filtered signal to obtain a power signal; and an electronic detection unit supplied with said power signal, said electronic detection unit being configured to measure, in said power signal, a pre-ejection period of said heart as a function of the sensed opening and closing of said heart valve, and to measure, in said power signal, a ventricular ejection time of said heart, and to automatically determine an ejection fraction of the heart as a function of the measured pre-ejection period and the measured ventricular ejection time, and to emit an electronic output signal representing said ejection function. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification