Method and system for explaining decision-making process of model detecting atrial fibrillation in electrocardiogram waves

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026011432-A1
Application number	US-202519247638-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 24, 2025
Priority date	Jul 8, 2024
Publication date	Jan 8, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

Current approaches for atrial fibrillation (AF) detection use deep learning models which remain opaque. In particular, they lack in providing explanation of why this particular decision (around existence of AF) has been made, thereby making it unacceptable to clinical domain experts. Present disclosure provides method and system for explaining decision-making process of deep learning models used for detecting AF in ECG waves. The system receives ECG signal which is converted into two-dimensional (2D) representation which further helps in classification of diagnosis condition from ECG signal using classifier model. Thereafter, system generates class activation maps (CAM) to find attention scores and finally uses these attention scores, to identify top R-R intervals where classifier model is placing greater emphasis. Further, system converts ECG image into ECG signal which also converts CAM into attention wave. Finally, system uses ECG signal and attention wave to generate clinical expert like explanations for class label prediction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A processor implemented method comprising:
receiving, by a system via one or more hardware processors, a one-dimensional (1D) electrocardiogram (ECG) signal; converting, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, the 1D ECG signal into a two-dimensional (2D) ECG image using a 1D-2D signal to image conversion algorithm, wherein the 2D ECG image comprises a plurality of segments, and wherein each segment of the plurality of segments represents a R-R interval present in the 2D ECG image; training, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, a deep learning classifier model based on the 2D ECG image and a clinical domain knowledge to obtain a trained deep learning classifier model, wherein the trained deep learning classifier model provides a class label among one or more predefined class labels, for the 2D ECG image, wherein the one or more predefined class labels comprises an Atrial Fibrillation (AF) rhythm label and a normal sinus rhythm label; applying, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, an attribution method over one or more internal layers of the trained deep learning classifier model to obtain a 2D class activation map (CAM), wherein the 2D CAM determines one or more segments in the 2D ECG image that is influencing the deep learning classifier model for predicting the class label among the one or more predefined class labels; converting, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, the 2D ECG image into the 1D ECG signal using a 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm, wherein the 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm further converts the 2D CAM into a 1D attention wave; calculating, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, a plurality of attention scores from a plurality of R-R intervals present in the 1D ECG signal based on the 1D attention wave; and sorting, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, the plurality of attention scores to obtain a set of high attention scores present in the 1D ECG signal using a pre-defined threshold value, wherein the set of high attention scores is obtained corresponding to a set of top R-R intervals into which the trained deep learning classifier model is placing emphasis for determining the class label, and wherein the set of top R-R intervals provides an explanation for the class label prediction performed by the trained deep learning classifier model.

2 . The processor implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm converts the 2D ECG image into the 1D ECG signal by performing:
scanning each segment of the plurality of segments present in the 2D ECG image; discarding each segment amongst the plurality of segments that is zero-padded to obtain a subset of image segments; and concatenating each segment of the subset of image segments from a first segment to a last segment of the subset of image segments to generate the 1D ECG signal.

3 . The processor implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm converts the 2D CAM into the 1D attention wave by performing:
scanning each each CAM segment of a plurality of CAM segments present in the 2D CAM; discarding each CAM segment amongst the plurality of CAM segments that is zero-padded to obtain a subset of CAM segments; and concatenating each CAM segment of the subset of CAM segments from a first CAM segment to a last CAM segment of the subset of CAM segments to generate the 1D attention wave.

4 . The processor implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of attention scores are calculated by performing:
scanning, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, each R-R interval of the plurality of R-R intervals present in the 1D ECG signal to obtain a length corresponding to each R-R interval; computing, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, an area corresponding to the 1D attention wave under each R-R interval using a Trapezoidal Rule; and normalizing, by the system via the one or more hardware processors, the area for each R-R interval by dividing the area with the length of each R-R interval to obtain an attention score, wherein attention scores obtained corresponding to the plurality of R-R intervals form the plurality of attention scores.

5 . A system comprising:
a memory storing instructions; one or more communication interfaces; and one or more hardware processors coupled to the memory via the one or more communication interfaces, wherein the one or more hardware processors are configured by the instructions to: receive a one-dimensional (1D) electrocardiogram (ECG) signal; convert the 1D ECG signal into a two-dimensional (2D) ECG image using a 1D-2D signal to image conversion algorithm, wherein the 2D ECG image comprises a plurality of segments, and wherein each segment of the plurality of segments represents a R-R interval present in the 2D ECG image; train a deep learning classifier model based on the 2D ECG image and a clinical domain knowledge, to obtain a trained deep learning classifier model, wherein the trained deep learning classifier model provides a class label among one or more predefined class labels, for the 2D ECG image, wherein the one or more predefined class labels comprises an Atrial Fibrillation (AF) rhythm label and a normal sinus rhythm label; apply an attribution method over one or more internal layers of the trained deep learning classifier model to obtain a 2D class activation map (CAM), wherein the 2D CAM determines one or more segments in the 2D ECG image that is influencing the deep learning classifier model for predicting the class label among the one or more predefined class labels; convert the 2D ECG image into the 1D ECG signal using a 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm, wherein the 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm further converts the 2D CAM into a 1D attention wave; calculate a plurality of attention scores from a plurality of R-R intervals present in the 1D ECG signal based on the 1D attention wave; and sort the plurality of attention scores to obtain a set of high attention scores present in the 1D ECG signal using a pre-defined threshold value, wherein the set of high attention scores is obtained corresponding to a set of top R-R intervals into which the trained deep learning classifier model is placing emphasis for determining the class label, and wherein the set of top R-R intervals provides an explanation for the class label prediction performed by the trained deep learning classifier model.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein for converting the 2D ECG image into the 1D ECG signal using the 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm, the one or more hardware processors are configured by the instructions to:
scan each segment of the plurality of segments present in the 2D ECG image; discard each segment amongst the plurality of segments that is zero-padded to obtain a subset of image segments; and concatenate each segment of the subset of image segments from a first segment to a last segment of the subset of image segments to generate the 1D ECG signal.

7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein for converting the 2D CAM into the 1D attention wave using the 2D-1D image to signal conversion algorithm, the one or more hardware processors are configured by the instructions to:
scan each each CAM segment of a plurality of CAM segments present in the 2D CAM; discard each CAM segment amongst the plurality of CAM segments that is zero-padded to obtain a subset of CAM segments; and concatenate each CAM segment of the subset of CAM segments from a first CAM segment to a last CAM segment of the subset of CAM segments to generate the 1D attention wave.

8 . T

Assignees

• Tata Consultancy Services Ltd

Inventors

• Deb Trisrota
• Sahu Ishan
• Ukil Arijit
• Pal Arpan
• Garain Utpal
• Saha Saptarshi
• Sahoo Pratyush Kumar
• Mandana Kayapanda Muthana

Classifications

• G06T3/06

  Topological mapping of higher dimensional structures onto lower dimensional surfaces · CPC title

• G06V10/82

  using neural networks · CPC title

• G06V10/7715

  Feature extraction, e.g. by transforming the feature space, e.g. multi-dimensional scaling [MDS]; Mappings, e.g. subspace methods · CPC title

• G16H30/40 Primary

  for processing medical images, e.g. editing · CPC title

• A61B5/352

  Detecting R peaks, e.g. for synchronising diagnostic apparatus; Estimating R-R interval · CPC title