Marquette Electronics

Ge Marquette Medical Systems, Inc.

Donald E Brodnick

David G Hernke

Paul P Elko

An ECG signal is acquired in multiple channels, and sources of interference are filtered from the signals. A covariance matrix is then formed with the channels of data. The invention then employs matrix mathematics to discover a set of eigenvectors that organize the variability of data in a multi-dimensional space along new directions, orthogonal to each other and ranked in order of significance. For each eigenvector, a corresponding eigenvalue is calculated. In addition, coefficients are calculated which correspond to the portion of each eigenvector that is necessary to reconstruct each original vector. From the eigenvector solution of the covariance matrix, the angles between the eigenvectors and the original vectors are determined. The eigenvector coefficients and the angles between the eigenvectors and the original vectors are related by a cosine relationship. The angles calculated for each particular ECG test are compared to a reference set of angles to determine whether the electrodes are placed in the standard ECG electrode placement, an alternative electrode placement, or an incorrect electrode placement.

Method to identify electrode placement

A signal acquisition method comprises the steps of recording ECG data signals on a tape in a first direction through a first high pass filter; and acquiring the data from the tape in an analyzer in a reverse direction through a second high pass filter having the same effective characteristics as the first filter.

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Cedarburg, WI, United States of America

Donald E Brodnick