Fetal ECG extraction by extended state Kalman filtering based on single-channel recordings

In this paper, we present an extended nonlinear Bayesian filtering framework for extracting electrocardiograms (ECGs) from a single channel as encountered in the fetal ECG extraction from abdominal sensor. The recorded signals are modeled as the summation of several ECGs. Each of them is described by a nonlinear dynamic model, previously presented for the generation of a highly realistic synthetic ECG. Consequently, each ECG has a corresponding term in this model and can thus be efficiently discriminated even if the waves overlap in time. The parameter sensitivity analysis for different values of noise level, amplitude, and heart rate ratios between fetal and maternal ECGs shows its effectiveness for a large set of values of these parameters. This framework is also validated on the extractions of fetal ECG from actual abdominal recordings, as well as of actual twin magnetocardiograms.