BioSig's Universal Notch Filter Technology Receives US Patent
BioSig Technologies, Inc., an innovative company in the field of electrophysiology, has recently announced that it has received a US patent for its universal notch filter technology. This technology is a key component of BioSig's PURE EP™ System, a novel device that enables the real-time acquisition and analysis of raw cardiac signal data. In this article, we will explore what this technology does, how it benefits physicians and patients, and what it means for the future of cardiac arrhythmia treatment.
What is the universal notch filter technology?
A notch filter is a type of filter that attenuates or removes a narrow band of frequencies from a signal, while leaving the rest of the signal intact. A universal notch filter is a notch filter that can be applied to any fixed frequency interfering signal, such as power line noise or pacemaker pulses, that may contaminate the original signal of interest.
BioSig's universal notch filter technology is based on a patent that describes and claims systems, methods, and computer program product embodiments of the PURE EP™ System for removing any fixed frequency interfering signal from an input signal without introducing artifacts that are not part of the original signal of interest. This means that the universal notch filter can preserve the critical intracardiac data that is essential for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias.
How does the universal notch filter technology benefit physicians and patients?
The universal notch filter technology is designed to enhance the performance of BioSig's PURE EP™ System, which is a computerized system that acquires, digitizes, amplifies, filters, measures, calculates, displays, records and stores electrocardiographic and intracardiac signals for patients undergoing electrophysiology (EP) procedures in an EP laboratory.
EP procedures are used to diagnose and treat various types of cardiac arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms that can cause symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest pain or shortness of breath. Some arrhythmias can also increase the risk of stroke, heart failure or sudden cardiac death.
By using the universal notch filter technology, the PURE EP™ System can remove any fixed frequency interfering signal from the input signal without introducing artifacts that are not part of the original signal of interest. This can improve the signal quality and confidence in signal interpretation, leading to better clinical decision-making and outcomes for patients with cardiac arrhythmias.
For example, the universal notch filter technology can eliminate environmental noise such as power line noise or pacemaker pulses that may obscure or distort the intracardiac signals. It can also preserve the complex fractionated signals that are often associated with ventricular arrhythmias, which are challenging to treat and can be life-threatening.
The universal notch filter technology can also optimize the information through precise digital filtering and noise cancellation, allowing physicians to easily isolate the signals that matter most while preserving a high signal-to-noise ratio. This can facilitate personalized patient care and innovations in the field of electrophysiology.
What are the future prospects of the universal notch filter technology?
FAQs about cardiac arrhythmias
1- What are the symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias?
- Palpitations: a sensation of skipped heart beats, thumping, fluttering pulse, or “flip flops”
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Fainting or a near-fainting/swooning sensation
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness or tiredness
- Anxiety or nervousness
2- What are the causes of cardiac arrhythmias?
- Heart disease or damage, such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or congenital heart defects
- High blood pressure or cholesterol levels
- Diabetes or thyroid disorders
- Electrolyte imbalances or dehydration
- Smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, or drug abuse
- Stress or emotional trauma
- Medications or supplements that affect the heart rhythm
- Genetic factors or family history of arrhythmias
2- How are cardiac arrhythmias diagnosed?
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): a test that records the electrical activity of the heart using sensors attached to the chest and sometimes to the arms or legs
- Holter monitor: a portable ECG device that can be worn for a day or more to record the heart's activity as you go about your routine
- Event recorder: a wearable ECG device that is used to detect sporadic arrhythmias; you press a button when symptoms occur
- Echocardiogram: a test that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart's size, structure and motion
- Implantable loop recorder: a device that may be implanted under the skin in the chest area to continually record the heart's electrical activity and detect irregular heart rhythms
- Stress test: a test that monitors the heart's activity while you exercise or take a drug that simulates exercise
- Tilt table test: a test that monitors your heart rate and blood pressure as you lie flat on a table and then tilt as if you were standing up
- Electrophysiological testing and mapping: a test that uses thin, flexible tubes (catheters) tipped with electrodes to map the spread of electrical impulses through the heart and stimulate the heart to beat at rates that may trigger or stop an arrhythmia
3- How are cardiac arrhythmias treated?
- Antiarrhythmic drugs: medications that can help regulate the heartbeat by affecting the electrical signals in the heart
- Anticoagulants: medications that can prevent blood clots from forming and reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Beta blockers: medications that can slow down the heartbeat by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart
- Calcium channel blockers: medications that can relax the blood vessels and slow down the heartbeat by affecting calcium levels in the heart cells
- Vagal maneuvers: simple physical actions that can affect the vagus nerve and slow down some types of fast heartbeats; examples include coughing, bearing down as if you are having a bowel movement, putting an ice pack on your face, or dipping your face in cold water
- Cardioversion: a procedure that uses an electric shock or medication to restore a normal heart rhythm in people with certain types of fast or irregular heartbeats
3- How can cardiac arrhythmias be prevented?
- Eating a balanced diet that is low in salt, sodium, fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats
- Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity
- Exercising regularly and staying physically active
- Quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke
- Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding binge drinking
- Avoiding or reducing caffeine intake and other stimulants
- Managing stress and practicing relaxation techniques
- Getting enough sleep and treating any sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
- Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels and taking medications as prescribed
- Following up with your doctor regularly and reporting any symptoms or changes in your condition
- Taking medications as prescribed for your arrhythmia or any underlying heart condition
- Avoiding or minimizing exposure to substances that can trigger or worsen arrhythmias, such as illegal drugs, certain medications, supplements, or herbal remedies
4- When should you see a doctor for cardiac arrhythmias?
- Palpitations that are frequent, persistent, or bothersome
- Dizziness or light-headedness that occurs with or without palpitations
- Fainting or near-fainting episodes that occur with or without palpitations
- Chest pain or discomfort that occurs with or without palpitations
- Shortness of breath that occurs with or without palpitations
- Weakness or fatigue that occurs with or without palpitations
- Anxiety or nervousness that occurs with or without palpitations
- Severe chest pain or discomfort that radiates to the arm, jaw, neck, back, or abdomen
- Difficulty breathing or gasping for air
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Sudden collapse or fall
- Severe sweating or clamminess
- Nausea or vomiting