Apparatus and method for data processing of physiological signals

A filter apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of signal inputs, each having an input signal, which contains a useful component and a noise component;
• a plurality of fast signal paths arranged in parallel;
• a plurality of slow signal paths arranged in parallel;
• wherein each of the plurality of signal inputs is coupled with an input of the plurality of fast signal paths arranged in parallel and of the plurality of slow signal paths arranged in parallel, wherein each fast signal path contains a filter to bring about fast filtering of the input signal, wherein each slow signal path contains a filter to bring about slow filtering of the input signal;
• an accounting/decision unit;
• signal lines, wherein each slow signal path is coupled with corresponding inputs of the accounting/decision unit via the respective signal lines, wherein each fast signal path is coupled with corresponding outputs of the accounting/decision unit via the respective signal lines;
• and
• a plurality of signal outputs, which are coupled each with outputs of the fast signal paths and at which respective output signals, which contain essentially useful components of the input signals, are present.

A method for the real-time filtering of physiological signals with a useful component and with a noise component, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a fast signal path, through which the physiological signal is to pass, with a signal input and with a signal output;
• providing a slow signal path through which the physiological signal is to pass in parallel thereto with a signal input and with a signal output;
• providing a connection and connecting the signal output of the fast signal path with the signal output of the slow signal path as a signal output;
• providing another connection and connecting the signal output of the fast signal path with the signal input of the slow signal path;
• coupling the physiological signal in parallel into the input of the fast signal path and into the input of the slow signal path;
• passing the physiological signal through the fast signal path fast, providing a filtered output signal, which contains essentially the useful component of the physiological signal and in which the noise component of the physiological signal is not suppressed completely by the fast filtering at the signal output of the fast signal path, wherein the characteristic of the fast signal path is affected via the connection;
• and
• passing the physiological signal through the slow signal path slowly, wherein the characteristic of the slow signal path is affected via the further connection, and and providing a filtered output signal, which contains essentially the useful component of the physiological signal and in which the noise component of the physiological signal is essentially suppressed by the slow filtering at the signal output of the slow signal path, wherein a filtered output signal, which contains essentially the useful component of the physiological signal and in which the noise component of the physiological signal is essentially suppressed, is present at the signal output without time delay relative to the signal output of the fast signal path.

A method for the real-time filtering of physiological signals with a useful component and with a noise component, the method comprising the steps of:

• feeding a noise-affected physiological signal as an input signal at a signal input of a fast signal path and, in parallel and simultaneously in time therewith, into a signal input of a slow signal path;
• fast filtering the noise-affected physiological signal in the fast signal path;
• slow filtering the noise-affected physiological signal in the slow signal path;
• feeding a parameter of the slow signal path into the fast signal path;
• returning a feedback signal of the fast signal path into the slow signal path;
• and providing a noise-suppressed physiological signal, which is not delayed relative to the pass through the fast signal path of the physiological signal, as a filtered output signal.