Abstract: Embodiments provide a method and system for using a reconstructed or virtual reference point for electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements, allowing for the removal of the common reference point required in conventional ECG systems. Embodiments allow for either referencing measurements back to a reference previously digitized and reconstructed in the analog domain or to compare the measurements to a virtual reference. These calculations can be performed at the measurement site or remotely. Vector calculations can be made in either the analog or digital domains. A secondary means of measuring common mode noise (or rejection) injected into the ECG may be provided to ensure proper functioning in the presence of large common mode noise. These secondary measurements may be used to phase-align segments of the ECG vectors or as means to improve the common mode noise capabilities.

Abstract: A system analyzes and characterizes cardiac electrophysiological signals by determining instantaneous signal entropy for identifying and characterizing cardiac disorders, differentiating cardiac arrhythmias, determining pathological severity and predicting life-threatening events. A system for heart monitoring, characterization and abnormality detection, includes an acquisition device for acquiring an electrophysiological signal representing a heart beat cycle of a patient heart. A signal processor derives an entropy representative value of the acquired electrophysiological signal within a time period comprising at least a portion of a heart beat cycle of the acquired electrophysiological signal and provides an entropy value as a function of the entropy representative value and the time period. A comparator generates data representing a message for communication to a destination device in response to the entropy value exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an acquisition device for acquiring an electrophysiological signal representing heart beat cycles of a patient heart. A detector detects one or more parameters of the electrophysiological signal of parameter type comprising at least one of, (a) amplitude, (b) time duration, (c) peak frequency and (d) frequency bandwidth, of multiple different portions of a single heart beat cycle of the heart beat cycles selected in response to first predetermined data. The multiple different portions of the single heart beat cycle being selected from, a P wave portion, a QRS complex portion, an ST segment portion and a T wave portion in response to second predetermined data. A signal analyzer calculates a ratio of detected parameters of a single parameter type of the multiple different portions of the single heart beat cycle.

Abstract: A system denoises and rejects artifacts from cardiac signals, by accepting a cardiac signal from a patient, processing the cardiac signal from the patient using a frequency band width controllable choke to separate the cardiac signal into predefined frequencies, filtering each of the predefined frequencies to remove dynamic common noise, joining each of the predefined frequencies into a cardiac signal without the dynamic common noise, and providing feedback control of the filtering of each of the predefined frequencies.

Abstract: A catheter has a plurality of sensors and electrodes, wherein the sensors are arranged alternately and spaced apart from each other. A system for continuous measurement and mapping of physiological data may use such a catheter with a coupling unit for insulated coupling of the plurality of sensors with a measurement unit and a mapping unit for mapping values received from the sensors to a predefined matrix.

Abstract: A system provides early prediction of heart tissue malfunction and electrophysiological pathology by determining anatomical tissue impedance characteristics for use in medical patient monitoring and treatment decision making. At least one repository of data indicates multiple predetermined expected impedance value ranges for corresponding multiple impedance measurements taken at multiple particular different sites of at least one anatomical organ. An impedance measurement processor automatically determines whether multiple measured impedance values taken at multiple particular different sites of an anatomical organ using an invasive catheter are within corresponding multiple predetermined expected impedance value ranges derived from the at least one repository. An output processor automatically communicates data comprising at least one message to a destination.

Abstract: A system for respiration or cardiac condition characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface that receives data representing a signal indicating concentration of carbon dioxide in patient gases over multiple signal cycles. A signal processor uses the received data in determining multiple amplitude related characteristic values. A comparator compares at least one of the amplitude related characteristic values or a value derived from the amplitude related characteristic values, with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor in response to the comparison indicator indicating an amplitude related characteristic value or a value derived from the amplitude related characteristic values, exceeds the threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the threshold.

Abstract: The disclosed method analyzes cardiac electrophysiological signals, including ECG and internal cardiac electrograms, based on multi-level symbolic complexity calculation and multi-dimensional mapping. The results may be used to objectively identify cardiac disorders, differentiate cardiac arrhythmias, characterize pathological severities, and predict life-threatening events. Multi-level symbolization and calculation of the electrophysiological signal is used provide better reliability and analysis resolution for identifying and characterizing cardiac disorders. Adaptive analysis of the cardiac signal complexity enables calculation efficiency and reliability with high SNR, and with low calculation volume and power consumption. One dimension (time or frequency domain) and multi-dimension symbolic analysis is used to provide more information of cardiac pathology and high risk rhythm transition to doctors.

Abstract: A medical signal interface device bidirectionally conveys signals between a patient and patient monitoring devices. The device comprises a bidirectional electrical signal interface that receives and buffers patient parameter monitoring signals received from a patient via patient attached leads and outputs treatment related signals used in applying invasive or non-invasive treatment to a patient. A bidirectional electrical signal processor operates in response to commands received from a control processor and is coupled to the electrical signal interface, for processing received patient parameter monitoring signals using filtering and amplification to provide processed patient monitoring signals for output to at least one patient monitoring device. The bidirectional electrical signal processor processes the treatment related signals for output by buffering the treatment related signals for output to a patient.

Abstract: A system denoises and rejects artifacts from cardiac signals, by accepting a cardiac signal from a patient, processing the cardiac signal from the patient using a frequency band width controllable choke to separate the cardiac signal into predefined frequencies, filtering each of the predefined frequencies to remove dynamic common noise, joining each of the predefined frequencies into a cardiac signal without the dynamic common noise, and providing feedback control of the filtering of each of the predefined frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for signal transmission with isolation in medical devices. Data signals, such as patient measurement data and medical instrumentation control signals are converted to dynamic signals which are transmitted on power lines through an isolation module, such as a transformer. The dynamic signals are then converted to data signals having a voltage based on the frequency of the dynamic signals.

Abstract: A method and system for atrial fibrillation analysis, characterization, and mapping is disclosed. A finite element model (FEM) representing a physical structure of a heart is generated. Electrogram data can be sensed at various locations in the heart using an electrophysiology catheter, and the electrogram data is mapped to the elements of the FEM. Function parameters, which measure some characteristics of AF arrhythmia, are then simultaneously calculated for all of the elements of the FEM based on the electrogram data mapped to the elements of the FEM. An artificial neural network (ANN) can be used to calculate the function parameters.

Abstract: A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an acquisition device for acquiring an electrophysiological signal representing heart beat cycles of a patient heart. A detector detects one or more parameters of the electrophysiological signal of parameter type comprising at least one of, (a) amplitude, (b) time duration, (c) peak frequency and (d) frequency bandwidth, of multiple different portions of a single heart beat cycle of the heart beat cycles selected in response to first predetermined data. The multiple different portions of the single heart beat cycle being selected from, a P wave portion, a QRS complex portion, an ST segment portion and a T wave portion in response to second predetermined data. A signal analyzer calculates a ratio of detected parameters of a single parameter type of the multiple different portions of the single heart beat cycle.

Abstract: A system analyzes and characterizes cardiac electrophysiological signals by determining instantaneous signal entropy for identifying and characterizing cardiac disorders, differentiating cardiac arrhythmias, determining pathological severity and predicting life-threatening events. A system for heart monitoring, characterization and abnormality detection, includes an acquisition device for acquiring an electrophysiological signal representing a heart beat cycle of a patient heart. A signal processor derives an entropy representative value of the acquired electrophysiological signal within a time period comprising at least a portion of a heart beat cycle of the acquired electrophysiological signal and provides an entropy value as a function of the entropy representative value and the time period. A comparator generates data representing a message for communication to a destination device in response to the entropy value exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system provides early prediction of heart tissue malfunction and electrophysiological pathology by determining anatomical tissue impedance characteristics for use in medical patient monitoring and treatment decision making. At least one repository of data indicates multiple predetermined expected impedance value ranges for corresponding multiple impedance measurements taken at multiple particular different sites of at least one anatomical organ. An impedance measurement processor automatically determines whether multiple measured impedance values taken at multiple particular different sites of an anatomical organ using an invasive catheter are within corresponding multiple predetermined expected impedance value ranges derived from the at least one repository. An output processor automatically communicates data comprising at least one message to a destination.

Abstract: A medical signal interface device bidirectionally conveys signals between a patient and patient monitoring devices. The device comprises a bidirectional electrical signal interface that receives and buffers patient parameter monitoring signals received from a patient via patient attached leads and outputs treatment related signals used in applying invasive or non-invasive treatment to a patient. A bidirectional electrical signal processor operates in response to commands received from a control processor and is coupled to the electrical signal interface, for processing received patient parameter monitoring signals using filtering and amplification to provide processed patient monitoring signals for output to at least one patient monitoring device. The bidirectional electrical signal processor processes the treatment related signals for output by buffering the treatment related signals for output to a patient.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for utilizing a single integrated EP/ablation catheter to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The disclosed catheter combines the EP signal monitoring of a traditional EP diagnostic catheter, and optical energy for the ablation therapy, which is expected to provide a more efficient, accurate and reliable method of cardiac ablation than current RF techniques since it is based on real-time EP signal mapping, with precise pathological tissue localization, cardiac arrhythmia severity characterization and delivers predictable energy doses with continuous safety monitoring of the intracardiac signals.