Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event as being of a specific type, comprising the steps of: monitoring a patient's EGM signal during a cardiac event; generating a four quadrant phase plane trajectory representation of said patient's EGM signal during said event: defining a metric reflecting the relative areas circumscribed by said phase plane trajectory in each said quadrant; and identifying said event as being of said specific type in response to said phase plane trajectory corresponding to said metric; wherein said generating step comprises: applying said patient's EGM signal to a filter circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce a filtered EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; applying said filtered EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a filtered, squared signal; applying said differentiated EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said filtered, squared EGM signal to produce a summation signal; applying said summation signal to a square root circuit to produce a magnitude signal corresponding to a magnitude component of said phase plane trajectory representation of said patient's EGM signal; defining said four quadrants of said phase plane trajectory representation; for each said quadrant, separately integrating said magnitude signal to produce a separate integration signal for each said quadrant; and wherein said identifying step comprises indicating occurrence of an event of said specific type when said integration signals correlate in accordance with said metric.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event as being of a specific type, comprising the steps of: monitoring a patient's EGM signal during a cardiac event; generating a four quadrant phase plane trajectory representation of said patient's EGM signal during said event: defining a metric reflecting the relative areas circumscribed by said phase plane trajectory in each said quadrant; and identifying said event as being of said specific type in response to said phase plane trajectory corresponding to said metric; wherein said generating step comprises: applying said patient's EGM signal to a filter circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce a filtered EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; applying said filtered EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a filtered, squared signal; applying said differentiated EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said filtered, squared EGM signal to produce a summation signal; applying said summation signal to a square root circuit to produce a magnitude signal corresponding to a magnitude component of said phase plane trajectory representation of said patient's EGM signal; defining said four quadrants of said phase plane trajectory representation; for each said quadrant, separately integrating said magnitude signal to produce a separate integration signal for each said quadrant; and wherein said identifying step comprises indicating occurrence of an event of said specific type when said integration signals correlate in accordance with said metric.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for indicating occurrences of a specific type of cardiac event comprising the steps of defining at least one characteristic feature of a patient's EGM signal when said specific type of event occurs and thereafter detecting said at least one characteristic feature of said patient's EGM signal; wherein said step of defining said at least one characteristic feature comprises defining a metric expressing a correlation of four areas circumscribed by a four quadrant phase plane trajectory; and wherein said step of detecting said at least one characteristic feature comprises the sub-steps of: monitoring said patient's EGM signal during a cardiac event; generating a phase plane representation of said EGM signal, said phase plane representation comprising trajectory in a phase plane having four quadrants, said generating step in turn comprising deriving, from said patient's EGM signal, four integration signals, each one of said four integration signals reflecting an area circumscribed by said phase plane trajectory in one said quadrant of said phase plane representation of said EGM signal; and indicating an occurrence of an event of said specific type when said four integration signals correlate in accordance with said metric.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for indicating occurrences of a specific type of cardiac event comprising the steps of defining at least one characteristic feature of a patient's EGM signal when said specific type of event occurs and thereafter detecting said at least one characteristic feature of said patient's EGM signal; wherein said step of defining said at least one characteristic feature comprises defining a metric expressing a correlation of four areas circumscribed by a four quadrant phase plane trajectory; and wherein said step of detecting said at least one characteristic feature comprises the sub-steps of: monitoring said patient's EGM signal during a cardiac event; generating a phase plane representation of said EGM signal, said phase plane representation comprising trajectory in a phase plane having four quadrants, said generating step in turn comprising deriving, from said patient's EGM signal, four integration signals, each one of said four integration signals reflecting an area circumscribed by said phase plane trajectory in one said quadrant of said phase plane representation of said EGM signal; and indicating an occurrence of an event of said specific type when said four integration signals correlate in accordance with said metric.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
198 words
An apparatus for detecting occurrences of a specific type of cardiac event, comprising: a magnitude signal generating circuit means, responsive to an EGM signal from a patient's heart for generating a magnitude signal corresponding to a phase plane trajectory representation of said EGM signal, said phase plane trajectory representation corresponding to a plot of said EGM signal versus a first derivative of said EGM signal in a phase plane having four quadrants; first, second, third, and fourth integrator circuits, each associated with a different one of said four phase plane quadrants, each coupled to said magnitude generating circuit, each integrator circuits comprising means for producing an integration signal corresponding to an area circumscribed by said phase plane trajectory in its associated quadrant of said phase plane; a discriminating circuit, coupled to said first, second, third, and fourth integrator circuits and comprising means responsive to receipt of first, second, third, and fourth integration signals having a predetermined correlation for producing produce an event detected signal indicative of occurrence of a cardiac event of said specific type, wherein said predetermined correlation is predetermined based upon analysis of an said patient's EGM signal during an induced occurrence of said specific event.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
198 words
An apparatus for detecting occurrences of a specific type of cardiac event, comprising: a magnitude signal generating circuit means, responsive to an EGM signal from a patient's heart for generating a magnitude signal corresponding to a phase plane trajectory representation of said EGM signal, said phase plane trajectory representation corresponding to a plot of said EGM signal versus a first derivative of said EGM signal in a phase plane having four quadrants; first, second, third, and fourth integrator circuits, each associated with a different one of said four phase plane quadrants, each coupled to said magnitude generating circuit, each integrator circuits comprising means for producing an integration signal corresponding to an area circumscribed by said phase plane trajectory in its associated quadrant of said phase plane; a discriminating circuit, coupled to said first, second, third, and fourth integrator circuits and comprising means responsive to receipt of first, second, third, and fourth integration signals having a predetermined correlation for producing produce an event detected signal indicative of occurrence of a cardiac event of said specific type, wherein said predetermined correlation is predetermined based upon analysis of an said patient's EGM signal during an induced occurrence of said specific event.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; applying said amplified EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, amplified EGM signal; applying said differentiated EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said squared, amplified EGM signal to produce a summation signal; applying said summation signal to a square root circuit to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; applying said amplified EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, amplified EGM signal; applying said differentiated EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said squared, amplified EGM signal to produce a summation signal; applying said summation signal to a square root circuit to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; combining said amplified EGM signal and said differentiated EGM signal to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; combining said amplified EGM signal and said differentiated EGM signal to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; applying said amplified EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, amplified EGM signal; applying said differentiated EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said squared, amplified EGM signal to produce a summation signal; applying said summation signal to a square root circuit to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; applying said amplified EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, amplified EGM signal; applying said differentiated EGM signal to a squaring circuit to produce a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said squared, amplified EGM signal to produce a summation signal; applying said summation signal to a square root circuit to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; combining said amplified EGM signal and said differentiated EGM signal to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM signal meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of identifying a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: applying a patient's EGM signal to an amplifier circuit and to a differentiator circuit to produce an amplified EGM signal and a differentiated EGM signal; combining said amplified EGM signal and said differentiated EGM signal to produce a magnitude signal; separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM signal meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; first squaring means, coupled to said filter means, for producing a filtered, squared signal; second squaring means, coupled to said differentiator means, for producing a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing means, coupled to said first and second squaring means, for summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said filtered, squared EGM signal to produce a summation signal; square root determining means, coupled to said summing means, for producing a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and means for identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; first squaring means, coupled to said filter means, for producing a filtered, squared signal; second squaring means, coupled to said differentiator means, for producing a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing means, coupled to said first and second squaring means, for summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said filtered, squared EGM signal to produce a summation signal; square root determining means, coupled to said summing means, for producing a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and means for identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; means for combining said amplified and differentiated EGM signals to produce a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and means for identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; means for combining said amplified and differentiated EGM signals to produce a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal (a) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (b) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is positive, (c) while said differentiated EGM signal is positive and said amplified EGM signal is negative, and (d) while said differentiated EGM signal is negative and said amplified EGM signal is negative, to produce four separate integration signals; and means for identifying said event as a function of relative magnitudes of said integration signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; first squaring means, coupled to said filter means, for producing a filtered, squared signal; second squaring means, coupled to said differentiator means, for producing a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing means, coupled to said first and second squaring means, for summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said filtered, squared EGM signal to produce a summation signal; square root determining means, coupled to said summing means, for producing a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM signal meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and means for identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; first squaring means, coupled to said filter means, for producing a filtered, squared signal; second squaring means, coupled to said differentiator means, for producing a squared, differentiated EGM signal; summing means, coupled to said first and second squaring means, for summing said squared, differentiated EGM signal and said filtered, squared EGM signal to produce a summation signal; square root determining means, coupled to said summing means, for producing a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM signal meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and means for identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; means for combining said amplified and differentiated EGM signals to produce a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM signal meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and means for identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for identifying a cardiac event, comprising: means for sensing a patient's EGM signal; amplifier means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing an amplified EGM signal; differentiator means, coupled to said sensing means, for producing a differentiated EGM signal; means for combining said amplified and differentiated EGM signals to produce a magnitude signal; means for separately integrating said magnitude signal while said differentiated EGM signal meets a first predefined criterion and said amplified EGM signal meets a second predefined criterion to produce an integration signal; and means for identifying said event as a function of magnitude of said integration signal.