Patent ID: 7412283
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of processing electrocardiogram (ECG) signals in order to identify a possible abnormality of heart function of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: extracting data from at least one ECG signal; determining a time derivative of said data; generating a normalised index value representative of energy in said time derivative; comparing said normalised index value with a mean value calculated as a numerical average of a plurality of prior normalised index values generated from ECG signal data of the patient gathered over a plurality of prior time periods, wherein said step of comparing comprises ascertaining whether the normalised index value lies within a range between an upper bound value greater than said mean value, and a lower bound value less than said mean value less than said mean value and, outputting a result of said comparing comprising said identification of a possible abnormality of heart function of the patient where the normalised index value is below or above said range to one or more of a memory device, a display, or a remote apparatus accessible via a communications network.