US3577983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for automatically screening variably recurrent waveforms such as an electrocaroiac signal
Assignee: Humetrics Corp
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Filing: 1968-11-06
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1988-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus including logic circuitry and interval detectors for selectively gating and evaluating subportions in individual cycles of a variably recurrent wave such as an electrocardiac signal. In distinction to attempting to subdivide such a variably recurrent signal in accordance with a running average rate, and in distinction to utilizing a measure of a preceding cycle time duration for setting desired gating periods to be applied in the immediately succeeding cycle for gating and measurement or evaluation, the present apparatus evaluates each subportion of the variably recurrent wave as a plurality of different subportions and displays one of the evaluations only after subsequent identification of the wave has been made relative to characteristically recurring points of inflection.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee R Baessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/318; A61B5/346; A61B5/349; G; G01; G01R; G01R23/00; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
The method of identifying an R wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the positive wave to be identified precedes the first signal and when the detected ECG signal becomes negative within about 10 to 30 milliseconds after the termination of the positive wave whereby the positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
The method of identifying an R wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the positive wave to be identified precedes the first signal and when the detected ECG signal becomes negative within about 10 to 30 milliseconds after the termination of the positive wave whereby the positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of identifying an R wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a second signal coincident with the termination of the detected positive wave; and d. generating a distinctive signal when the generation of said second signal is preceded within about 80 milliseconds by the generation of said first signal whereby the positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of identifying an R wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a second signal coincident with the termination of the detected positive wave; and d. generating a distinctive signal when the generation of said second signal is preceded within about 80 milliseconds by the generation of said first signal whereby the positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 1 including the evaluation of the width of the identified R wave by the further steps of: generating a second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined limit; terminating the second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave thereafter falls below a predetermined limit; and measuring the duration of the second signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal whereby the width of the R wave is evaluated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1 including the evaluation of the amplitude of the identified R wave by the further steps of: generating a second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined limit; generating a third signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a second predetermined limit; and indicating the evaluation of the R wave amplitude in response the generation of the second, third, and distinctive signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of identifying a positive wave of an ECG signal as a positive P wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the detected ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the positive wave to be identified terminates before the generation of the first signal and the detected ECG signal does not go negative within about 10 to 30 milliseconds of the termination of the positive wave to be identified whereby the positive wave of the ECG signal is identified as a positive P wave.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of identifying a positive wave of an ECG signal as a positive P wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the detected ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the positive wave to be identified terminates before the generation of the first signal and the detected ECG signal does not go negative within about 10 to 30 milliseconds of the termination of the positive wave to be identified whereby the positive wave of the ECG signal is identified as a positive P wave.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as a negative P wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; and b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the detected ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the first signal is generated more than about 55 milliseconds after the termination of the negative wave whereby the negative wave of the ECG signal is identified as a negative P wave.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as a negative P wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; and b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the detected ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the first signal is generated more than about 55 milliseconds after the termination of the negative wave whereby the negative wave of the ECG signal is identified as a negative P wave.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 including the evaluation of the amplitude of the identified P wave by the further steps of: generating a second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined value; and indicating the generation of the second signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 5 including the evaluation of the width of the identified P wave by the further steps of: a. generating a second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined value; b. terminating the second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave thereafter falls below a predetermined value; and c. measuring the duration of the second signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 5 including the evaluation of the P-R interval by the further steps of: generating a second signal when the wave to be identified exceeds predetermined limits; generating a third signal when the detected ECG signal next exceeds predetermined limits; generating a fourth signal when the time interval between the generation of the second and third signals exceeds predetermined limits; and indicating the generation of the fourth signal in response to the generation of the distinctive signal whereby the P-R interval is evaluated.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as an S wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; c. generating a second signal when the first signal precedes the termination of the negative wave whereby the negative wave is identified as an S wave.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as an S wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; c. generating a second signal when the first signal precedes the termination of the negative wave whereby the negative wave is identified as an S wave.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 10 including the evaluation of the amplitude of the identified S wave by the further steps of: a. generating a third signal when the amplitude of the negative wave exceeds a first predetermined value; b. generating a fourth signal when the amplitude of the negative wave exceeds a second predetermined value; and c. generating a distinctive signal responsively to said third and fourth signals whereby the amplitude of the S wave is evaluated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 10 including the evaluation of the width of the identified S wave by the further steps of: a. generating a third signal where the amplitude of the negative wave exceeds a predetermined value; b. terminating the third signal when the amplitude of the negative wave thereafter rises above a predetermined value; c. measuring the duration of the third signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
90 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as a Q wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; c. generating a second signal upon termination of the negative wave; and d. generating a distinctive signal if the second signal is generated within about 55 milliseconds after the termination of the negative wave whereby the negative wave is identified as a Q wave.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as a Q wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; b. generating a first signal coincident with the major inflection point of the ECG signal; c. generating a second signal upon termination of the negative wave; and d. generating a distinctive signal if the second signal is generated within about 55 milliseconds after the termination of the negative wave whereby the negative wave is identified as a Q wave.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 13 including the evaluation of the width of the identified Q wave by the further steps of: a. generating a third signal where the amplitude of the negative wave exceeds a predetermined value; b. terminating the third signal when the amplitude of the negative wave thereafter rises above a predetermined value; c. measuring the duration of the third signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 13 including the evaluation of the amplitude of the identified Q wave by the further steps of: a. generating a third signal when the amplitude of the negative wave exceeds a predetermined value; and b. indicating the generation of the third signal responsively to the distinctive signal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of evaluating a phase position of a variably recurrent waveform comprising the steps of: a. detecting a phase position of a variably recurrent waveform; b. evaluating the detected phase position as a plurality of phase positions of the waveform; c. identifying a reference phase position of the detected waveform; d. identifying the detected phase position with respect to the reference phase position; and e. thereafter displaying the evaluation of the detected phase position corresponding to the phase position identified.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of evaluating a phase position of a variably recurrent waveform comprising the steps of: a. detecting a phase position of a variably recurrent waveform; b. evaluating the detected phase position as a plurality of phase positions of the waveform; c. identifying a reference phase position of the detected waveform; d. identifying the detected phase position with respect to the reference phase position; and e. thereafter displaying the evaluation of the detected phase position corresponding to the phase position identified.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the reference phase position is identified in part by a determination of the major inflection point of the waveform.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for evaluating a wave of a variably recurrent waveform comprising: input means for receiving the variably recurrent waveform including the wave to be evaluated; means for establishing a reference position of said waveform; means for evaluating said received wave as a plurality of different waves of said waveform; and means coupled to said evaluating means and to said reference position establishing means for displaying the evaluation of said received wave as one of said plurality of different waves of said waveform.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for evaluating a wave of a variably recurrent waveform comprising: input means for receiving the variably recurrent waveform including the wave to be evaluated; means for establishing a reference position of said waveform; means for evaluating said received wave as a plurality of different waves of said waveform; and means coupled to said evaluating means and to said reference position establishing means for displaying the evaluation of said received wave as one of said plurality of different waves of said waveform.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said reference position establishing means includes means for detecting a characteristically recurring point of inflection of said waveform.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said reference position establishing means includes: an analog differentiator coupled to said input means for differentiating said waveform; amplitude responsive means coupled to said differentiatoR for detecting the major inflection point of said waveform and for generating a distinctive signal in a predetermined relationship thereto.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said received wave evaluating means includes: a first level detector coupled to said input means for generating a first signal when the amplitude of said wave exceeds a first predetermined reference; a second level detector coupled to said input means for generating a second signal when the amplitude of said wave exceeds a second predetermined reference; means responsive to said first and second signals for indicating when the amplitude of said waveform is greater than said first reference and less than said second reference.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said evaluating means includes; first level detector coupled to said input means for generating a first signal when the amplitude of said wave exceeds a predetermined reference; a second level detector coupled to said input means for generating a second signal when the amplitude of said wave exceeds a second predetermined reference; means for determining the duration of said first and second signals; said display means being responsive to said duration determining means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for identifying a positive wave of an ECG signal comprising: means for detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; means for generating a first signal in a predetermined relation to the major inflection point of said detected ECG signal; means for generating a second signal in a predetermined relation to the termination of the positive wave to be identified; and means for generating a third signal responsive to the generation of said first signal prior to the generation of said second signal, said third signal-generating means also being responsive to the generation of said second signal prior to the generation of said second signal when said ECG signal becomes negative within about 10 to 30 milliseconds after the generation of said second signal whereby said positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for identifying a positive wave of an ECG signal comprising: means for detecting an ECG signal including a positive wave to be identified; means for generating a first signal in a predetermined relation to the major inflection point of said detected ECG signal; means for generating a second signal in a predetermined relation to the termination of the positive wave to be identified; and means for generating a third signal responsive to the generation of said first signal prior to the generation of said second signal, said third signal-generating means also being responsive to the generation of said second signal prior to the generation of said second signal when said ECG signal becomes negative within about 10 to 30 milliseconds after the generation of said second signal whereby said positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 23 including means for generating a fourth signal when said second signal is generated prior to the generation of said first signal in the absence of said third signal whereby said positive wave is identified as a positive P wave.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
95 words
The apparatus for identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal comprising: means for detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; means for generating a first signal in a predetermined relation to the major inflection point of the ECG signal; means for generating a second signal in a predetermined relation to the termination of said negative wave; and means for generating a third signal in response to the generation of said second signal prior to the generation of said first signal whereby the negative wave is identified as an S wave.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
95 words
The apparatus for identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal comprising: means for detecting an ECG signal including a negative wave to be identified; means for generating a first signal in a predetermined relation to the major inflection point of the ECG signal; means for generating a second signal in a predetermined relation to the termination of said negative wave; and means for generating a third signal in response to the generation of said second signal prior to the generation of said first signal whereby the negative wave is identified as an S wave.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 25 including means for generating a fourth signal when the generation of said second signal precedes the generation of said first signal by more than about 55 milliseconds whereby the negative wave is identified as an inverted P wave.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 2 including the evaluation of the width of the identified R wave by the further steps of: generating a third signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined limit; terminating the third signal when the amplitude of the positive wave thereafter falls below a predetermined limit; and measuring the duration of the third signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal whereby the width of the R wave is evaluated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 2 including the evaluation of the amplitude of the identified R wave by the further steps of: generating a second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined limit; generating a third signaL when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a second predetermined limit; and indicating the evaluation of the R wave amplitude in response the generation of the second, third, and distinctive signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 6 including the evaluation of the amplitude of the identified P wave by the further steps of: generating a second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined value; and indicating the generation of the second signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 6 including the evaluation of the width of the identified P wave by the further steps of: a. generating a second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave exceeds a predetermined value; b. terminating the second signal when the amplitude of the positive wave thereafter falls below a predetermined value; and c. measuring the duration of the second signal responsively to the generation of the distinctive signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 6 including the evaluation of the P-R interval by the further steps of: generating a second signal when the wave to be identified exceeds predetermined limits; generating a third signal when the detected ECG signal next exceeds predetermined limits; generating a fourth signal when the time interval between the generation of the second and third signals exceeds predetermined limits; and indicating the generation of the fourth signal in response to the generation of the distinctive signal whereby the P-R interval is evaluated.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said received wave-evaluating means includes: a first level detector coupled to said input means for generating a first signal when the amplitude of said wave exceeds a first predetermined reference; a second level detector coupled to said input means for generating a second signal when the amplitude of said wave exceeds a second predetermined reference; means responsive to said first and second signals for indicating when the amplitude of said waveform is greater than said first reference and less than said second reference.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of identifying a positive wave of an ECG signal as an R wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting a positive wave in an ECG signal; b. detecting the occurrence of the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the major inflection point occurs during the detected positive wave whereby the positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of identifying a positive wave of an ECG signal as an R wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting a positive wave in an ECG signal; b. detecting the occurrence of the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the major inflection point occurs during the detected positive wave whereby the positive wave is identified as an R wave.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as an S wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting a negative wave in an ECG signal; b. detecting the occurrence of the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the major inflection point occurs during the detected negative wave whereby the negative wave is identified as an S wave.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of identifying a negative wave of an ECG signal as an S wave comprising the steps of: a. detecting a negative wave in an ECG signal; b. detecting the occurrence of the major inflection point of the ECG signal; and c. generating a distinctive signal when the major inflection point occurs during the detected negative wave whereby the negative wave is identified as an S wave.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |