Context scores to enhance accuracy of ecg readings

Abstract

The present disclosure encompasses an “artifact score” derived from the signal characteristics of an acquired 12-lead ECG, (2) a “patient context score” derived from key elements of the patient's history, presentation, and pre-hospital emergency care, and (3) techniques for integrating these scores into an emergency medical care system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical device, comprising:
 a measurement circuit configured to detect a physiological parameter of a patient;   an output device;   a processor configured to:
 identify data indicative of the physiological parameter over time; 
 identify a shape in the data, the shape being indicative of a physiological condition of the patient; 
 identify an artifact in the data; 
 generate an artifact score as a function of a magnitude of the artifact in the data; 
 determine, by analyzing the artifact score, a likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition; and 
 cause the output device to output an indication of the physiological condition with the likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition. 
   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the output device comprises:
 a screen configured to visually output the indication of the physiological condition with the likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition; or   a transmitter configured to transmit a signal to an external device, the signal comprising the indication of the physiological condition with the likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition.   
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the shape comprises a first shape and the data comprises first data indicative of the physiological parameter during a first time,
 wherein the processor is further configured to:
 identify second data indicative of the physiological parameter during a second time; and 
 identify a second shape in the second data, the second shape being indicative of the physiological condition, and 
   wherein the processor is configured to determine the likelihood further by analyzing the second shape in the second data.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 identify data indicative of a physiological parameter over time; 
 identify a shape in the data, the shape being indicative of a physiological condition; 
 identify an artifact in the data; 
 generate an artifact score as a function of a magnitude of the artifact in the data; 
 determine, by analyzing the artifact score, a likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition; and 
 provide an indication of the physiological condition with the likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition. 
   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a transmitter,   wherein the processor is configured to provide the indication by causing the transmitter to communicate the indication to an external device.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a screen,   wherein the processor is configured to provide the indication by causing the screen to visually output the indication.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a measurement circuit configured to detect the physiological parameter.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine that the likelihood is greater than a threshold, and   wherein the processor is configured to provide the indication in response to determining that the likelihood is greater than the threshold.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the physiological parameter is of a patient, and
 wherein the processor is further configured to:   identify a medication or symptom of the patient, and   wherein the processor is configured to determine the likelihood further by analyzing the medication or symptom of the patient.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the shape comprises a first shape and the data comprises first data indicative of the physiological parameter during a first time,
 wherein the processor is further configured to:
 identify second data indicative of the physiological parameter during a second time; and 
 identify a second shape in the second data, the second shape being indicative of the physiological condition, and 
   wherein the processor is configured to determine the likelihood further by analyzing the second shape in the second data.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the physiological parameter comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG). 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the physiological condition comprises an ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 identifying data indicative of a physiological parameter over time;   identifying a shape in the data, the shape being indicative of a physiological condition;   identifying an artifact in the data;   generating an artifact score as a function of a magnitude of the artifact in the data;   determining, by analyzing the artifact score, a likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition; and   providing an indication of the physiological condition with the likelihood that the shape in the data accurately indicates the physiological condition.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing the indication comprises transmitting the indication to an external device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing the indication comprises displaying the indication. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: determining that the likelihood is greater than a threshold, and
 wherein providing the indication is in response to determining that the likelihood is greater than the threshold.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , the physiological parameter being of a patient, the method further comprising:
 identifying a medication or symptom of the patient, and   wherein the determining the likelihood is further by analyzing the medication or symptom of the patient.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , the shape comprising a first shape and the data comprising first data indicative of the physiological parameter during a first time, the method further comprising:
 identifying second data indicative of the physiological parameter during a second time;   identifying a second shape in the second data, the second shape being indicative of the physiological condition, and   wherein determining the likelihood is further by analyzing the second shape in the second data.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the physiological parameter comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the physiological condition comprises an ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).